About the position

The existing concern about climate change in 21 century, has increased the demand for infrastructure with desirable durability, resilience and sustainability characteristics. Concrete is the most consumed man-made material which is used twice as all other building materials combined. Thus, it has a key role in addressing the above-mentioned demand. Improving high-performance material characteristics such as strength, ductility, crack-width control and greenness, can assist tackling the climate change challenges such as global warming as well as high mechanical and thermal loads on our infrastructure. Furthermore, smart functionalities can also be added to enhance infrastructure durability, resilience, and sustainability. Functionalities such as self-healing, self-sensing, self-thermal adaptiveness, as well as self-cleaning can be added to the cement-based materials to have a proper response to the changes in surrounding environment.

The PhD candidate will develop new type of cementitious composite with some selected high-performance characteristics and smart functionalities in order to address a specific demand in civil infrastructure. Furthermore, analytical models will be developed based on investigated material properties followed by generalization and maturation of the models which can be beneficial for different applications such as digitalization of the production process, BIM databases or 3D printing. Finally, environmental assessment of the investigated compositions will be carried out. The PhD project is primarily meant for 50% experimental and 50% analytical work. However, depending on practical constraints and candidate’s interest and background the actual work distribution may vary.

You will report to Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• A state-of-the-art report on how different constituent materials or modification methods can affect selected properties of cementitious composites
• Experimental investigation of selected materials and processes to achieve intended material properties
• Characterization and modelling of the material properties and environmental impact assessment of the investigated materials
• Documentation of the production or treatment processes for the investigated materials in forms of patent applications, scientific papers and project report

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in [subject area] or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

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, post doctor and research assistant.

Candidate must have:

• Master’s degree in civil engineering or chemical engineering
• Knowledge in concrete technology
• Experience in developing analytical models
• Experience in material characteristics used on concrete

Preferred selection criteria

• Direct experience on relevant experimental and modelling work of cementitious composites will be prioritized
• Relevant publication in peer reviewed journals
• Experience with life cycle assessment or digitalization of building and construction industry
• Genuine interest in concrete technology is essential
• Emphasis will be placed on cooperation and communication skills
• Preferred selection criteria
• Preferred selection criteria
• Good written and oral English 

Personal characteristics

• Proficiency to carry out goal-oriented work
• Creative thinking
• Confidence in independent work
• Good cooperation abilities
• Perseverance

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, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years. 

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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 criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English. 

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include :

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Research plan or project proposal
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 works)
• Name and address of three referees

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

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. 

The city of Gjøvik has a population of 30 000 and is a town known for its rich music and cultural life. The beautiful nature surrounding the city is ideal for an active outdoor life! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

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.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Mohammad Hajmohammadian Baghban, telephone +47 61135 217, email mohammad.baghban@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Per David Nielsen,  e-mail: per.nielsen@ntnu.no.

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. 

Application deadline: 20.07.2020

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 Manufacturing and Civil Engineering

Our profile of expertise can help to solve the world’s most important societal challenge: the development of sustainable solutions in industry and society. This profile includes research on modern industrial processes, use of new and recycled materials, new technological solutions and the application of new forms of organization and business models. The Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 20th July 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Gjøvik Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Gjøvik