About the position

We have a vacancy for 2 PhD positions at The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

As part of the NFR project “Improving Performance in Real Sea", we have vacancies for two 3-year PhD positions at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Optionally, one of the PhD positions can receive a 4-year contract in order to take over teaching duties in courses taught by the Marine Civil Engineering group.

In order to reduce the climate footprint of the maritime transport sector, a major improvement is required in the form of reduced energy requirements and increased efficiency at sea. This can be achieved through improved design and production of sea-going vessels. When vessels operate under real sea conditions with effects of wind and waves, the emissions are higher due to assumption of calm water conditions in the design phase. With the advances in computational methods and computational power, high-resolution numerical simulations can be carried out to overcome the limitations of the current standards of practice.

The proposed project will develop high resolution tools and couple high resolution modelling with efficient wave modelling to evaluate the added resistance problem in realistic sea states in more detail. The numerical model used for those activities is the open-source hydrodynamics framework REEF3D (www.reef3d.com). The model is developed in-house and the candidates will be a members of the research team. The computational fluid dynamics model REEF3D::CFD and the fully nonlinear potential flow model REEF3D::FNPF will be used within the area of ship hydrodynamics and further developed by the PhD candidates.

The main supervisor of the PhD positions will be Associate Professor Hans Bihs. You will report to the Head of Department. 

Duties of the position

• advance CFD modelling capabilities for ship hydrodynamics in real sea sates
• contribute to the development of open-source CFD software
• publish in top-ranking journals and conferences
• perform excellent and independent research on topic attached to the positions
• collaborate with the project team at both NTNU and SINTEF Ocean

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 wave and ship hydrodynamics, computational fluid dynamics and numerical methods 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:

• excellent understanding of wave and ship hydrodynamics
• strong background in numerical methods and computational fluid dynamics 
• experience with the high-performance computing aspects of CFD 
• very good knowledge of fluid mechanics and turbulence 
• programming skills in C++, Python, Matlab or similar
• the candidate should have a strong interest and knowledge in scientific computing, numerical modeling and in applying computational mathematics for interdisciplinary engineering problems
• excellent English skills, spoken and written

Personal characteristics

• highly motivated, curious and ambitious
• good communication and collaboration skills
• confidence in working independently and ability to work as part of a team
• creative and critical thinking

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. Optionally, one of the PhD positions can receive a 4 year contract in order to take over teaching duties.

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 on a daily basis.

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 Associate Professor Hans Bihs, email: hans.bihs@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Senior Executive Officer HR Hege Johansen, e-mail: hege.johansen@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-169/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 23.08.2020

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 Civil and Environmental Engineering

We conduct research and teaching in civil and transportation engineering, technical planning, structural engineering, water and wastewater engineering and hydraulic engineering. Graduates from our programmes become employees in both the public and private sectors – with a sustainability mindset combined with competitive knowledge and skills. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 23rd August 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime (2 jobs)
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Gløshaugen