About the position

The Department of Electric Power Engineering (IEL) has a vacancy for a 100% position as a PhD candidate within the field Electric Power Systems – "Optimal Grid Integration of Electric Transport". The PhD position is a part of the research project FuChar - Grid and Charging Infrastructure of the Future, coordinated by SINTEF Energy Research and financed by the Research Council and industry partners. See https://www.sintef.no/en/projects/fuchar/.

The aim of the FuChar project is to minimise investment and operating costs related to the grid integration of electric transport. FuChar will provide increased knowledge about electrical charging and user behaviour, as well as new methods and tools for optimising grid and charging infrastructure. The aim is that this knowledge will contribute to a more user-friendly and efficient electrification of transport.

The prospective candidate will work in the research group Electricity Markets and Energy System Planning (EMESP). The main supervisor of the PhD candidate will be Prof. Magnus Korpås.The position reports to the Head of Department

Duties of the position

Norway has become a global leader within electric mobility, and the number of electric vehicles and vessels with electric charging demand is increasing rapidly. Due to political goals, in combination with end-users' and the industry's desire for a more sustainable transport sector, electrification of transport will continue to increase. This electrification impacts all parts of the transport system, such as passenger cars, heavy-duty transport and marine vessels. The main area for the PhD within the project considers the development of methods for optimal planning and operation of charging infrastructure in the distribution grid. This calls for the use and development of optimization and simulation models for power system operation, which takes into account physical grid constraints, charging patterns for vehicles and utilization and economic dispatch of local flexibility resources. The candidate should preferably have a background within power systems, with good knowledge within operation research and mathematics.

The PhD will work closely with other PhDs in the EMESP research group and with SINTEF researchers working in the FuChar project.

Required selection criteria

• The objective of the PhD education is to qualify for scientific research of high international standard. The PhD education has a nominal duration of three years of full-time study and includes required coursework or similar academic training comprising a minimum of 30 credits. The most important component of the PhD education is an independent scientific research project carried out under academic supervision, which results in the PhD thesis. The PhD degree is conferred based on these two elements and the doctoral examination, which consists of a trial lecture and a public defense of the scientific thesis.
• The candidate is expected to fully complete the course work and the PhD thesis within the period of employment, which is 3 years. The doctoral examination may take place after the period of employment.
• The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree with strong academic background with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent in e.g. Electrical Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, Computer Science or Industrial Economics and Technology Management, with specialization in a topic relevant for this PhD position and the given project description.
• The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, postdoctor and research assistant
• NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.
• 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
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, at gross NOK 479 600 per year. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is for three year, however, there is a possibility for extension up to four years if selected for assistantship.

Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Electric Power Engineering. Applicants must be qualified for admission as PhD candidates at NTNU. See https://www.ntnu.edu/ie/research/phd for information about PhD studies at NTNU.

As a PhD candidate, you will have to successfully complete the PhD academic training programme; the training includes mandatory course work and other obligatory activities. Within the first three months of your employment, you must formally qualify for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.

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 attachment are seen to conflict with the criterias in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

About the application

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no. 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).

The application must contain:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes personal motivation and relevance with respect to the requirements of this advertisement.
• A draft research proposal (1 or 2 pages) for the PhD study, where the candidate presents her/his own ideas for the PhD-work and how it can be applied, based on the project description given in this advertisement. This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project.
• 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 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 and the ideas and/or originality of the draft research proposal in shortlisting of candidates. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

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

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work 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.

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.

Questions about the position can be directed to Prof. Magnus Korpås, magnus.korpas@ntnu.no or Head of department Ole-Morten Midtgård: ole-morten.midtgard@ntnu.no.

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.

In the final assessment of the candidates, strategic considerations at the Department 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.

Application deadline 06.07.20

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 6th July 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Campus Gløshaugen