About the position

The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (IE) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a two year position as a Postdoc Research Fellow at the Department of Electric Power Engineering (IEL). The described Postdoc position is part of the research within the EU-funded project “Increasing the value of Hydropower through increased Flexibility - HydroFlex”.

About the Horizon2020 research project HydroFlex

The HydroFlex-project is a Research and Innovation action in Horizon2020 and has a total budget of about 6 M€ in 4 years. The research is conducted in collaboration with the HydroFlex-partners and the Norwegian Centre for Hydropower Technology (HydroCen). HydroFlex has 16 partners spread over 5 countries in Europe. The Postdoc fellow will work together with other researchers in the HydroFlex project and at the HydroCen research centre.

The research fellow will be a part of the Power Electronic Systems and Component research group. 

The position reports to the Head of Department, Prof. Ole-Morten Midtgård.

Duties of the position

Job description

A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is to qualify for work in academic positions.

The research fellow will be a full member of the scientific staff at the Department of Electric Power Engineering, and will, beside playing an active role in the further development of HydroCen research Centre, be expected to take part in activities such as teaching and relevant administrative tasks.

Project description

One of the main topics in HydroFlex is to increase the flexibility of hydropower. This is needed in order to meet the future demands in a world of unregulated renewables. Hydropower machines are traditionally operated at constant speed for power production and in pumped-storage mode. In order to enhance the flexibility of turbine and generator units, one solution is to introduce variable speed. This is partly applied today using Doubly-Fed induction machines. However, in this project the research fellow will work on control of a full power converter feeding a synchronous machine.

The research fellow will work on optimal control of synchronous machines and turbine units to improve efficiently and dynamic performance of the power station. It is further a goal to reduce the dynamic loading on waterways, turbines and generator by optimal control of the synchronous motor drive. This includes optimal modulation and control of multi-level converters. It is foreseen that the research fellow will do both theoretical research and implementation on a laboratory control platform.

Required selection criteria

Qualification requirements

The applicant must hold a PhD-degree in Electrical Power Engineering. The applicant must have research-based knowledge within at least in these areas:

• Modelling of electrical machines and power electronic converters.
• Digital control control of drives including experience in C++ and FPGA programming

The research fellow will be working in a group with other researchers and PhD candidates. It is expected that the selected candidate plays an active role in the development of further research activities in HydroFlex, supervise PhD candidates and lays a foundation for further research in the topic for this position.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and national guidelines for appointment to PhD, postdoctor and research assistant positions.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA

Preferred selection criteria

Applicants must have very good English language skills, written and spoken. Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside EU/EEA/Switzerland must provide preliminary documentation of English language proficiency, in terms of an approved test. The following tests can be used: TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

Further assessment of both written and oral English language skills and the ability to communicate fluently will be conducted in the continued selection process and during any interviews for all applicants.

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of the candidates, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as personal motivation for the position, in terms of the qualification requirements specified above. We look for candidates who show clear signs of independence, original thinking and scientific mindset.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

Salary and conditions

Postdoctoral candidates are remunerated in code 1352, at gross NOK 523 200 per year. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The employment contract is for two years.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachments are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

The Department of Electric Power Engineering works closely with key players in the Norwegian electricity supply sector, who manage critical infrastructure. A comprehensive risk assessment of the candidates' research interests and potential activities related to national threat assessments will therefore also form basis for the final selection of candidates

About the application

Applications are to be submitted electronically through this page (https://www.jobbnorge.no/)

The application must contain:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes personal motivation and relevance with respect to the requirements of this advertisement, including a short reflection on the project (maximum to pages).
• CV including information pertaining to the given qualifications.
• Testimonials and certificates. Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement (https://ec.europa.eu/education/diploma-supplement_en) or a similar document, which describes in detail the study programme and grading system.
• The most important publications that are relevant for the evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications (maximum 10 publications). Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution. NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.
• Information about teaching/pedagogical experience.
• The required documentation of English language proficiency.
• Names and contact information of at least two references.

Emphasis will be placed on the quality of the cover letter in shortlisting of candidates. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

In the final assessment of the candidates, strategic considerations at the Department of Electric Power Engineering will also be taken into account. We aim for better gender balance, and when qualifications are approximately equal among qualified candidates, female applicants will be preferred

General information

A good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

Questions about the position can be directed to professor Roy Nilsen, roy.nilsen@ntnu.no , or to the Head of Department Ole-Morten Midtgård, ole-morten.midtgard@ntnu.no

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 2020/11625 when applying.

Application deadline: 13.05.2020

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Electric Power Engineering

The Department of Electric Power Engineering is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Our department is Norway’s leading in the field, and our vision is to be at the centre of the digital, green shift. We have excellent collaboration with business and industry as well as other universities and research organizations internationally. This gives us outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary research with high relevance for the society, addressing industrial needs and global challenges.

Deadline 13th May 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Campus Gløshaugen