About the position 

ACTIVATE is a joint Polish-Norwegian research project under the POLNOR call. The candidate will work in close cooperation and collaboration with other PhDs and post-docs at NTNU, EPT within the Combustion Kinetics (ComKin) research group and other researchers working at Loge Polska sp. zo.o., the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Silesian University of Technology and in the wider engine combustion community.

The main topic of the postdoctoral position is the detailed experimental and numerical investigation of ammonia as an alternative, carbon free fuel for use in internal combustion engines, such as those found in agricultural vehicles and marine vessels, as well as power production.

In recent years, ammonia (NH3) is starting to gain much attention as an alternative, carbon free fuel. It is essentially viewed as a molecularly bound method to store and transport hydrogen, rather than relying on large, expensive heavy, complex cryogenic or high pressure systems. Ammonia has been used previously as a fuel in engines, but its full potential has never been realised and is currently going through a renaissance. There is much work to be done in gaining understanding of the fundamentals of its use as a fuel for internal combustion engines, specifically fuel injection and ignition.

The postdoctoral candidate will work on a project that will conduct fundamental experimental and numerical tests, using a heavily modified engine and optical combustion equipment at NTNU with ammonia as the primary fuel. 

The head of the department is Professor Terese Løvås. The position’s day-to-day project management and supervision is by Professor Terese Løvås and Dr David Emberson, at the Department of Marine Technology with close support and collaboration from a number of fellow PhDs and post doctors in the group. The position will be highly collaborative and experimental in nature.

Job description

The objective of the position is to use experimentally derived data, combined with engineering type computational fluid dynamics simulations and chemical kinetic simulations to characterize the injection, ignition and combustion of ammonia. The work involves combustion experiments conducted in a modified engine and using high speed optical techniques in an optically accessible compression ignition combustion chamber. 
The successful candidate will be responsible for completion of the experimental equipment to ensure it is suitable for experimental ammonia combustion testing, developing the testing protocol and data collection. These results then need to be processed and interpreted in a manner that will supply design information to the further development of prototype engines. 

Required selection criteria\

Applicants for this position must have an PhD in chemical or mechanical engineering sciences and have documented experience with experimental research, preferably with optical measurements. Motivation for fundamental scientific research of practical relevance is essential with an interest in experimental and empirical methods. Experience working in a combustion or mechanical engineering type lab is ideal but not a prerequisite. 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 qualifications

• Good communication skills
• Some basic CAD, Matlab and LabView experience
• Handling of tools and experimental equipment
• Good written and oral English language skills
• Norwegian language skills are an advantage

Personal characteristics

• Confidence in working independently and in teams
• Ability and willingness to work in inter- and transdisciplinary teams
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Appreciation of safe working practises.\

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

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

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 545 300 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 4 years.  

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 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.  

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result. 

The application must include: 

• CV, certificates and diplomas 
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees.  
• Name and address of three referees 

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well. 

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 and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

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 Terese Løvås, email terese.lovas@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Renate Fjellheim, e-mail: renate.fjellheim@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-206/21 when applying.  

Application deadline: 06.10.2021 

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 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 6th October 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service