The LIFELINE-2050 project in the Center for Green Shift in the Built Environment

Centre for Green Shift in the Built Environment (GREEN 2050) is a newly established center at NTNUs Faculty of Engineering. The center aims to be an arena of networking and collaboration between academia and the industry. A hub for accelerating existing, planned, and new projects. The goal is to transition into a carbon neutral built environment within 2050. GREEN 2050 will provide research of excellence and educate candidates with high digital- and sustainability competence ready to take on the green shift.

Resource efficiency is one of the major focus of the center. At least seven PhD positions are funded to project LIFELINE-2050: Optimal Utilization of Resources towards Neutral Climate Built Environments in Europe by 2030-2050 under the umbrella of GREEN-2050. The aim of LIFELINE-2050 is to optimizing the utilization of our limited resources (i.e., materials, water, energy, ICT, spaces, and humans) in synergetic way during the life cycle (i.e., the design, construction, operation, and demolish phases) of built environments in the line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 3 (Healthy lives and well-being), 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), 12 (Responsible consumption and production), and 17 (Partnerships for the goals).

About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD Candidate within the timber structures’ group at theDepartment of Structural Engineering. The timber structures group at NTNU has a great development over the last years. The research interests of the group are focused on the development of structural concepts for mid-rise timber buildings and timber bridges with long spans, development of high-performance connections based on threaded rods, dynamic testing of timber components and investigation of fracture and high-cycle fatigue. The research methods are based on both small-scale and full-scale experimental testing and on Finite Element Modelling.

Wood is a renewable and environmentally friendly structural material due to its negative carbon footprint and low processing energy. The demand for timber buildings (especially multi-storey) is expected to be high in the near future, due to the increasing rate of urbanization and the environmental friendliness of wood. However, a step further towards an even more climate-neutral, and resource-efficient construction is the re-use of structural components in construction. The prolongation of the service life of buildings or structural components will eventually result in smaller emissions, energy, and resource demands.

The scope of this PhD project is to develop and investigate structural concepts for resource-efficient timber buildings which are designed for re-usability, taking into account a holistic, multidisciplinary framework. The PhD project is part of the  LIFELINE-2050 project.

Emphasis will be given in the connections which are -arguably- the most critical elements for the design of timber structures and components that can be re-used. Connections are critical elements both in the Serviceability and the Ultimate Limit States and their strength and stiffness properties are governing the response of timber buildings. Therefore, the design concepts for re-usability should rely on performant timber connections. Last but not least, to achieve the highest possible degree of resource efficiency in buildings cooperation and synergies with other disciplines is required.

You will report to the supervising Associate Professor. The PhD project aims to start in August 2022.

Duties of the position

• Complete the PhD training consisting of courses (minimum 30 ECTS credits)
• Review of existing structural concepts, state-of-the art and standards for timber buildings designed for re-usability
• Concept development of structural systems with reusable components
• Optimization of building’s layout based on regular multidisciplinary collaboration with project participants from other disciplines
• Feasibility studies and structural optimization by use of parametric Finite Element analyses (linear, modal, and non-linear). Case studies will be considered
• Experimental testing of the proposed concepts for connections and/or components
• Publish the research outcomes in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant background in structural engineering
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level 
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education. 
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program 
• You must have good written and oral English language skills

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

Preferred selection criteria

• Suitable background in timber engineering
• Very good knowledge of Finite Element software (Abaqus, SAP or/and similar)
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Pyhton or similar)
• Knowledge of European standards for the design of buildings (Eurocodes) is a merit

Personal characteristics

• Highly motivated and diligent
• Ability to take initiatives and work independently, but also as part of a group
• Very good skills on multidisciplinary collaboration
• Good communication skills in scientific writing and oral presentations

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 491 200 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. A 4 years period with 25% teaching duties may be considered for candidates with the proper background and interest in teaching and supervision of students.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in [subject area] (Link to website, if applicable) 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 (ta stilling til dette)

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 
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted. 
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position. 
• Project proposal  
• Research plan 
• Name and address of three referees 
• If you have publications or other relevant research work 

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, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher 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. 

(velg by og ta bort byene som ikke er relevant)

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.

The city of Gjøvik has a population of 30 000 and is a town known for its rich music and cultural life. The beautiful nature surrounding the city is ideal for an active outdoor life! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

The city of Ålesund, with its population of 50 000, will provide you with plenty of opportunities to explore a region of Norway that is famous for its beautiful scenery with high mountains and blue fjords. Ålesund itself, with its Art Nouveau architecture, is by many considered to be the most beautiful city in Norway! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

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.

In accordance with The Public 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 XXX, telephone XXX, email xxx. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact xxx, e-mail: XXX

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 SO-IV-18/22 when applying.

Application deadline: 15.02.2022

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 Structural Engineering

We teach mechanical engineering, engineering and ICT, and civil and environmental engineering. The Department conducts internationally leading research and participates in several large national research projects. The Department of Structural Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 15th February 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service