About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD Candidate at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

While Industry 4.0 is primarily a techno-economic vision, indicating how more general technological advancements are brought to bear on industrial value chains and how they will change industry's economic position, EU commission recently introduced the Industry 5.0 concept as a way of framing how European industry and emerging societal trends and needs will co-exist. Industry5.0 recognizes the power of industry to achieve societal goals beyond jobs and growth to become a resilient provider of prosperity, by making production respect the boundaries of our planet and placing the wellbeing of the industry worker at the center of the production process. There is a consensus on the need to better integrate social and environmental European priorities into technological innovation and to shift the focus from individual technologies to a systemic approach.

This systemic approach is mandatory when new products are developed and design. Designers and Engineers must consider the whole value chains needed to produce and distribute more and more complex and personalized products to final costumers. Robust integrated products and value chains design approaches are nowadays mandatory to provide the right product and service through resilient value chains operating in a world where disruptions are more and more frequent. Aspects related to circular economy, closed-loop supply chain, industrial symbiosis are important to consider in order to develop sustainable products and value chains.

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

You will report to professor.

Duties of the position

• create new knowledge on how to develop integrated resilient products and value chains for a sustainable future through the following sub-objectives:
  1. Develop robust product development approaches
  2. Develop digital value chains for proactive disruptions management
  3. Develop integrated approaches
• use qualitative methodologies with multiple case studies and literature review for identification of relevant factors and elements impacting the integrated product and value chain design
• development of new frameworks and approaches
• use quantitative methodologies, like simulation and analytical modelling, in order to study the interaction of the identified factors and elements and to analyze the domain of solutions for creating managerial insights and guidelines for practitioners.

The project will be carried out in collaboration with Norwegian companies which will be identified during the first phase of the research. There might be also the possibility to be part of a co-tutelle agreement with 1 year abroad (also as sum of short terms) to work in collaboration with researchers from high-quality universities belonging to the international network of the supervisors.

Required selection criteria

• you must have a professionally relevant background within the area of Production Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Product Development.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, 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
• qualified and strong background within the topic and methodologies of the research project
• good and well structured research plan

• 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

• strong analytical skills and interest in qualitative perspectives and quantitative approaches
• it is beneficial if the applicant has some previous experience from industry or research
• Scandinavian language skills will be preferred

Personal characteristics

• ability to work independently as well as in teams
• good communication skills and ability to work in close contact with industry
• strong writing capabilities

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

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.

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.

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: 

• 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 
• research plan (maximum 5 pages)
• 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. 

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.

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 Professor Fabio Sgarbossa, telephone +47 90768098, email fabio.sgarbossa@ntnu.no If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Linn-Cecilie Felle, e-mail: linn.c.felle@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-144/22 when applying.

Application deadline: 30.06.2022

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 Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

We educate graduates who can create new products, operate and maintain products, and manage projects. The Department has a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. We conduct wide-ranging research in fields such as technology, energy, product quality and development, and productivity. The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 30th June 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Institutt for maskinteknikk og produksjon