About the position 

We welcome applications for one postdoctoral research fellow position at the Department of Physics of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). We especially encourage women to apply for this position.

The selected candidate will join a growing and multifaceted research team funded by the H2020 ERC Consolidator Grant LOVE-NEST (PI: M. Linares). The main focus of the ERC team is the study of compact binary millisecond pulsars, which has an impact on a broad range of science topics (including super-massive neutron stars, nuclear physics, gravitational wave astronomy, cosmic rays, accretion flows and pulsar winds).

The position has a duration of two years, with a possible extension to a third-year contingent on the performance of the selected candidate. Longer extensions might be possible if the researcher succeeds at securing independent funds/positions, through competitive national/international calls. The start date is mutually agreeable, and expected around February 2023.

The position is based in Trondheim: a vibrant multicultural city surrounded by beautiful landscapes and the third largest municipality in Norway (renowned as its technological capital). NTNU is the largest University in the country and provides excellent working conditions.

About the group

The Astrophysics and Particle Physics (APP) Group carries out research in high-energy astrophysics, astroparticle physics and multi-wavelength astronomy, as well as particle physics. Its current scientific interests include compact objects, cosmic ray and multi-messenger physics, dark matter, active galactic nuclei and quantum chromodynamics.

The APP Group is part of the Department of Physics, which currently employs about 180 people. On average some 2000 NTNU students follow courses at the Department of Physics every year.

Duties of the position

The postdoctoral research fellow will work on topics related to compact binary millisecond pulsars (aka “spiders”) within the LOVE-NEST team. She or he is expected to carry out an independent research program, and to develop numerical simulations of spiders and related systems. The main scientific focus is on the interaction between the innermost pulsar wind and its surroundings.

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a
  Norwegian PhD in Astronomy or Astrophysics (by the start date of the position)
• Published experience in computational fluid dynamics.
• A strong publication record in high-impact journals. 
• Fluent English communication, written and oral.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Ph.D Candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate.

Preferred selection criteria

• Published experience in astrophysical fluid dynamics
• Research experience in binary systems and compact objects
• Proven experience with numerical codes to simulate astrophysical fluids (MHD, SPH, PIC)

Personal characteristics

• Social and collaborative skills (ability to work in a team and contribute to its success)
• Enthusiasm for science
• Independent
• Systematic

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 
• Access to the HPC cluster at the Department of Physics and to NTNU’s HPC cluster Idun
• Access to telescope time through dedicated ERC funds and the Nordic Optical Telescope
• Ample budget for travel, computing equipment and other research expenses
• Possibility to officially co-supervise PhD theses

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 563 500 per annum before tax.. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The period of employment is The position has a duration of two years, with a possible extension to a third year contingent on the performance of the selected candidate.

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 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 : 

• Cover letter (summarize your background and motivation to apply; max. 1p)
• CV (max. 4p; and the most important certificates/diplomas, with English translation when necessary)
• List of publications (briefly describe your contribution in the case of large collaborations; max. 4p)
• Two reference letters sent directly by the academic references to manuel.linares@ntnu.no

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 

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality.

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 application, please contact Magnus Gautvik (magnus.gautvik@ntnu.no).

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Prof. Manuel Linares (manuel.linares@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: 15.11.22 

NTNU

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 Physics

Our research and teaching are both experimental and theoretical, covering a wide range of disciplines. Our activities contribute to development of new medical technology and to finding solutions for the next generation’s communication technology, energy utilization and development of materials. The Department of Physics is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

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