About the position

We have a PhD position within Coastal Modeling at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The period of employment is 3 years.

The ambition of the current project “DIGICOAST – Next-Generation Coastal Modeling for Wave, Current and Sediment Transport Impact on Coastal Infrastructure” is to build the next generation of coastal numerical models. We aim at a holistic, consistent and realistic representation of the near-coast and the connected inland waterways. The primary objective of the project is to represent waves, current and sediment transport and their effect on coastal infrastructure and buildings in the vicinity of coastal urban areas. DIGICOAST is based on the open-source framework REEF3D, developed and used at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering by several research groups. Advanced high-performance numerical algorithms are combined with state-of-the-art supercomputer infrastructure to represent the coastal and river processes on large scales while maintaining all relevant details.

This PhD position is a part of NTNU’s initiative to establish the “Center for Green Shift in the Built Environment” hosted by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The Center’s vision is to create value in the society through Digitalisation. This center will utilize and develop expertise, methods, tools and strategies for a sustainable built environment. The research and innovation activities of the center will be directed at a Green Shift and a Digital Future.

The position reports to the main supervisor.

Duties of the position

• Advance modelling capabilities for near-shore waves, current and sediment transport
• Contribute to the development of open-source software
• Publish in top-ranking journals and conferences
• Perform excellent and independent research on topics attached to the positions
• Collaborate with the project team from different research groups at the department

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 hydraulics, sediment transport, numerical methods in coastal and hydraulic engineering 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.

Other required selection criteria

• Excellent understanding of hydrodynamics, turbulence and sediment transport
• Strong background in numerical methods for the simulation of current and waves
• Experience with using REEF3D or other numerical models for flow, waves and sediment transport calculations
• Excellent English skills, spoken and written

Preferred selection criteria

• Very good knowledge of GIS and CAD software
• Programming skills in C++, Python, Matlab or similar
• Experience with the high-performance computing aspects of numerical modelling 
• The candidate should have a strong interest and knowledge in scientific computing, numerical modeling and in applying computational mathematics for interdisciplinary engineering problems

Personal characteristics

• Good communications skills
• High motivation for research 
• Ability to solve research questions independently as well as in a team with a high level of personal responsibility
• Open to learn and discover new research areas
• Personal abilities to encourage cooperation and working in a team 

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 482 200 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 in Engineering (https://www.ntnu.edu/ibm/phd) 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

• 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-51/21 when applying.

Application deadline: 01.02.2021

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 1st February 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service