About the position

The Particle Engineering Centre (https://www.ntnu.edu/web/chemeng/particle-engineering-centre) at the Department of Chemical Engineering has a vacancy for a PhD student within the broader thematic area of nanoparticles in biomedicine with special focus on particle design and characterization. The earliest start date for the position will be November 2022. 

The appointment has a duration of 4 years including 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department. 

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

Nano-technology is a strategic research area at NTNU. The application of nanotechnology to medicine has shown great promise in diagnostics, imaging, therapy among others. The Particle Engineering Centre at the Department of Chemical Engineering at NTNU was established in early 2021.

The basis for the research in the Centre is an extensive experience at the department within particle synthesis and characterization, which quite recently was put into practical application as part of the COVID-19 test method developed at NTNU (https://www.ntnu.edu/ntnu-covid-19-test). The objective of the Centre is to advance the scientific knowledge within fundamental and applied particle engineering. Ongoing research activities focus on synthesis, characterization and tailoring of particles for use in nanomedicine and environmental applications. 

Project Description 

This is an open PhD position where the candidate is expected to submit a research proposal that fits within the nanomedicine thematic research area of the Centre. The proposal should emphasize on particle design and characterization and target one or more of the applications - biosensing, diagnostics, imaging and/or drug delivery.  

In the proposal, the candidate is expected to: 

• Summarize the state-of-the art of the research area and describe the knowledge needs and challenges that justify the initiation of such work within the proposed project. 
• State the overall project objectives and aims in the context of the state of the art and knowledge needs. 
• Describe in detail the research questions and/or hypotheses and how the candidate’s previous/current research experience will help achieve these. 
• Describe thoroughly the theoretical approach and/or methodology chosen to address the project objectives, research questions and/or hypotheses. 
• Provide a brief overview of research infrastructure and other resources that will be essential for carrying out the proposed project. 

Some general guidelines for the proposal that must be followed. 

• The proposal is not to exceed 5 pages, including the list of references. 
• The page format must be A4 with 2 cm margins, single spacing and Arial, Calibri, Times New 
• Roman or similar 11-point font. 
• It is permitted to use 9-point font for the list of references and figure captions. 
• Links that are listed in the proposal will not be included in the assessment. 

Evaluation criteria for the proposal. 

• Thought process in developing new research ideas with a clear understanding of the research gaps. (60%) 
• Writing and communication skills. (20%) 
• Ambitions with respect to the PhD position. (20%) 

Duties of the position

• The research work will involve: 
  • Synthesis and control of properties of nanoparticles using bottom-up approaches 
  • Synthesis of polymers and/or polymeric nanoparticles 
  • Characterization using state-of-the art infrastructure at Particle Engineering Core Facility, NTNU NanoLab and laboratories in Department of Chemical Engineering. 
  • Functionalization of nanoparticles for applications in biomedicine such as in diagnostics, therapeutics or a combination. 
  • Statistical analysis of datasets. 
• The candidate is expected to participate actively in the activities of the Particle Engineering Centre, including mentoring and co-supervision of students.  
• The candidate is expected to be flexible in regard to short-term or long-term international research stays. 
• Travelling with respect to conferences, meetings, workshops may be expected as part of the position. 

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions

• You must have a professionally relevant background in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biotechnology or equivalent
• 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 Chemical Engineering (https://www.ntnu.edu/chemeng)

Essential Qualifications 

• Strong experimental background in synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials via bottom-up approaches or synthesis and functionalization of polymers/polymeric nanoparticles. 
• Proven experience in characterization techniques such as electron microscopy, spectroscopy, light scattering, etc. 
• Knowledge and/or previous experience in biomedical applications such as biosensing, diagnostics, imaging and/or drug delivery. 
• Solid background in data and/or statistical analysis. 
• Good written and oral English language skills 

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  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  

Personal characteristics

• Positive, creative, result oriented and enthusiastic. 
• Seeks new challenges at work. 
• Has keen interest working in interdisciplinary teams. 
• Communicates information and results with clarity and ease, both orally and in writing. 

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

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 501 200 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 4 years including 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Chemical Engineering (https://www.ntnu.edu/chemeng) 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.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include: 

• Research proposal (maximum 5 A4 pages, Times New Roman or similar Font 11, Single spacing)
• CV and motivationletter (maximum 2 A4 pages, Times New Roman or similar Font 11, Single spacing)
• 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.
• Certificates
• Name and contact information 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.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

The position requires spoken and written fluency in the English language. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test. Approved tests are TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). 

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

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

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. 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Sulalit Bandyopadhyay (Department of Chemical Engineering) telephone +47 4507 1041, email sulalit.bandyopadhyay@ntnu.no

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Nina Sandberg (Department of Chemical Engineering), e-mail: nina.sandberg@ntnu.no   

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 07.10. 22

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 Chemical Engineering 

We take chemistry from laboratory scale to industrial production. This demands a wide range of knowledge, from molecular processes and nanotechnology to building and operation of large processing plants. We educate graduates for some of Norway's most important industries. The Department of Chemical Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.  

Deadline 7th October 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Trondheim