About the position

A three-year PhD position within experimental study of condensing droplets is available at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim.

The position is part of the project “Droplet growth dynamics during condensation” financed by the Research Council of Norway. This project focuses on fundamental research, using numerical simulations and experiments to better understand the condensation phenomenon. The selected candidate will be involved in the experimental part of the project, focusing on droplets condensing on structured surfaces. The work will involve using nano-fabrication techniques at NTNU NanoLab to fabricate the surfaces and visualization experiments to characterize droplet growth and movement on the surface during vapor condensation.  

The selected candidate will join our ongoing activities at the Thermal Two-Phase Flow Laboratory (ThTPFLab) at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU. The group counts with state-of-the-art laboratories for the characterization of thermal flows at the microscale. For more information on the ThTPFLab group, please follow this link.

Starting date for the position will be no later than January 2021.

The position will report to Professor Terese Løvås, Head of the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, for employee matters and to Professor Maria Fernandino in day-to-day project management and supervision.

Duties of the position

• Use of the cleanroom facilities (NTNU NanoLab) for fabrication and characterization of structured surfaces
• Setting up experimental rig and calibration of sensors
• Conduct condensation experiments and perform data analysis
• Development of theoretical models
• Collaboration with the other members of the group
• Writing of conference and journal articles

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 fluid mechanics, physics and phase-change heat transferin 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.

Applicants are strictly advised to address the following additional qualification requirements in their application:

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Physics, or closely related field
• Strong background in experimental work within fluid mechanics and heat transfer is required
• Programming experience in Labview and Matlab will be considered an advantage
• Knowledge of optics and optical systems will be beneficial
• Experience with work in a cleanroom will be beneficial
• Excellent English skills, spoken and written, are required

Personal characteristics

• Strong motivation and curiosity driven
• Ability to work independently and the ability to work as part of a team.
• Good communication skills

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. Depending on the candidate’s background and ability, the position can be extended to 4 years with 25% teaching duties at the Department.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Engineering 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.

The position is subject to external funding.

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:

• Cover letter specifically addressing how the candidate complies with the required qualifications for the position
• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Research plan or project proposal
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment
• 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 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.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Prof. Maria Fernandino, email maria.fernandino@ntnu.no . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Ingrid Wiggen, e-mail: ingrid.wiggen@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. Please refer to the application number IV-165/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 14.08.20

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 Energy and Process Engineering

We conduct research and teaching covering the entire energy chain, from resources to the end-user. We look at how energy is produced and used by humans and machines in a sustainable way with regard to health, climate change and the resource base. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 14th August 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Department of Energy and Process Engineering