About the positio

A PhD position is available at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, in the Fluids Mechanics group.

The appointment has a duration of 3 years as a researcher towards the degree of PhD. The appointment is financed by the Norwegian Research Council as part of the Low Emission Research Centre. The position reports to Associate Professor Nicholas Worth.

If stationary gas turbines are to continue to play a key role in meeting future environmental challenges and provide sustainable power in the face of growing demand, the potential of fuel flexible operation needs to be fully realised. To limit climate impact, future gas turbine technology must be capable of operating using alternative low or zero carbon fuels and fuel blends in order to support the emergence of zero net CO2 emission energy systems. However, there are a number of significant technical challenges which must be overcome when operating with new fuels or fuel-blends. New and existing engines must be designed to prevent combustion instabilities, flashback, and maintain low NOx emissions during operation.

The current project will focus on the fuel flexible operation of a scaled SGT750 combustor using H2/NH3 fuel blends, with the aim of better understanding the flashback, emissions performance, and thermoacoustic stability of the system, with a focus on the latter topic. The project will involve conducting a series of laboratory experiments using state-of-the-art measurement methods such as high-speed imaging, and acoustic measurements using dynamic pressure sensors to measure the flame response. These measurements will help improve our understanding of the flame structure, dynamic response, and emissions performance for a practical configuration, and help identify beneficial fuel splits and operating states, aiding the rapid development of zero carbon gas turbine technology.

You will report to Head of Department Terese Løvås

Duties of the position

• Design, setup, and optimisation of experiments, including accurate characterisation of boundary conditions.
• Measurement of heat release rate response using high speed chemiluminescence of relevant species, dynamic pressure measurements, and emissions measurements.
• Assessments of stability, and emissions performance across a wide range of operating conditions.
• Dissemination of results in scholarly journals and at international conferences.

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  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.

• A Masters (or second) degree in engineering, applied mathematics, physics or equivalent
• Strong background in fundamental or applied fluid mechanics.
• Programming skills in MATLAB, C, Python, or similar packages.
• Excellent command of the English language, and skilled in academic writing

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with state-of-the-art experimental fluid mechanics measurements (e.g., high-speed imaging, hot-wire, particle image velocimetry, laser-Doppler anemometry, dynamic pressure measurements).

Personal characteristics

• Enthusiastic and highly motivated
• Able to work effectively by themselves and in a team
• Able to work in a structured and goal orientated manner
• Able to work in a multi-cultural environment.

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 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 (ta stilling til om stillinger skal være betinget av ekstern finansiering).

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 (Departments to choose from the following):

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• A brief reference letter, stating why you are interested in this position.
• Name and address of three referees
• A 1 page “qualifications” document explicitly detailing how you meet each of the required and some (or all) of the desired qualifications listed above. An application missing this document may be considered incomplete by the selection committee.

Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment may also be included (up to 2 works). 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 Nicholas Worth, telephone +47 48131737, email nicholas.a.worth@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-60/21 when applying.

Application deadline: 01.03.21

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 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 1st March 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Department of Energy and Process Engineering