About the position

We are opening a position for a fully paid ambitious PhD student to be part of a project exploring the  magnon-phonon coupling in oxide nanostructures.

The aim of the candidate is to perform appropriate nanostructuring and measurements of thin oxide films characterising magnon-phonon coupling through both local electrical measurements (STM based point contact spectroscopy) as well as imaging utilising Synchrotron methods. The research will be performed in a combined local at NTNU and international team.

The local team is a collaboration between the department of physics / QuSpin (Professor Erik Wahlström - 1 PhD student and 1 PostDoc) and department of electronic systems and the oxide electronics group (Professor Thomas Tybell, 1 PhD student). Internationally the group will collaborate with Stockholm University, University of Barcelona  and JAIST Kanazawa.

The position reports to Head of department. 

Duties of the position

• Be responsible for sample design and characterisation of pulsed propagating wave spectroscopy samples as stand-alone or grown on top surface acoustic wave patterns.
• Have shared responsibility for basis characterisation of magnetodynamic properties of thin film samples.
• Have shared responsibility for combined magnetodynamic/acoustic PEEM based experiments performed at ALBA, Barce-ona (Spain).
• Have shared responsibility for STM-based point contact studies of thin film samples. In home laboratory and in Kanasawa (Japan).
• Take part in the Physics PhD program and fulfil the requirements for a PhD degree.

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 experimental condensed matter physics 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.

• Strong experimental and theoretical solid state physics background
• Competence within nanostructuring
• Electrical measurement techniques / instrumentation
• Ability to work outside Norway for extended periods (Barcelona (Spain), Kanasawa (Japan) and  Stockhom (Sweden).  

Preferred selection criteria

• Electrical characterization of solid state system.
• Radio frequency / ferromagnetic resonance characterization.
• Work in cryogenic sample environments (liquid Helium based).
• Documented good written and oral English.

Personal characteristics

• High ambition and motivation for experimental work
• High ability for group/team-based work.
• Well focused and planned.

We offer

• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment. The work environment is the centre of excellence QuSpin, a large environment exploring the future physics at the borderline of quantum physics and spintronics witjin the physics department and the oxide electronics group within the department of electronic systems.
• 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 with a possible extension to 4 years due to educational work.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in physics 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 or a Scandinavian language. 

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 
• 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 Erik Wahlström, email erik.wahlstrom@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 NV-21/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 26.02.21

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 Physics

Our research and teaching are both experimental and theoretical, covering a wide range of disciplines. Our activities contribute to development of new medical technology and to finding solutions for the next generation’s communication technology, energy utilization and development of materials. The Department of Physics is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline 26th February 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service