About the job

A PhD Candidate position in the field of materials technology for subsea power cables is available. The academic position will provide the opportunity for professional development through studies towards a PhD degree, related to the SeaConnect project. The SeaConnect project aims to increase the breakdown strength and lifetime of subsea cable connectors and terminations using a new design principle and tailor-made materials. The PhD Candidate will work on a joint research project with leading energy companies and developers, suppliers and manufacturers, and research and innovation organizations. More details about the SeaConnect project are available at this here.

The tasks for this PhD Candidate will cover the development of new materials for the subsea power cable connectors, characterization of mechanical performance using tensile and compressive tests and dynamic mechanical analysis, as well as electrical characterization by dielectric, electrical treeing and breakdown studies. A combination of experimental and modelling will be used to optimize the material properties. For the position as a PhD candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

The successful candidate will be affiliated to the FACET research group at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at NTNU and work in a multidisciplinary and international environment. Information about the research group can be found here. The work will be done in close collaboration with the Department of Electric Power Technology at  SINTEF Energy Research.

The main supervisor will be Professor Mari-Ann Einarsrud (NTNU) and the co-supervisor(s) will be Dr. Sverre Hvidsten (SINTEF Energy Research).

The main workplace will be in Trondheim.

Duties of the position

The PhD candidate will be involved in in the development of new polymer-based materials for subsea power cable connectors and terminators in addition to advanced characterization of materials structure, mechanical and electrical properties. The PhD Candidate will plan and conduct experiments according to the project objectives with support from the supervisors and the SeaConnect team. Modelling will be included to facilitate material optimization. The results of the project are expected to be published in scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences as well as to research partners and user partners in the SeaConnect project consortium.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in materials science and engineering, materials chemistry, or materials or technical physics,
• You must be familiar with basics of polymeric materials and characterisation techniques, e.g., electron microscopy, mechanical and electrical testing
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program in Materials Science and Engineering or equivalent, 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.
• Master students who expect to complete their studies by summer 2023 are encouraged to apply. Employment will then be postponed until the Master's degree is finished.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the Faculty of Natural Sciences doctoral program
• You must be able to communicate fluently in English and have good communication skills

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

A strong background and hands-on experience in mechanical and electrical materials characterization is desired. In addition, the ideal candidate has a strong background in polymer of composite materials science and a good understanding of running complex experiments. Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is considered as a plus.

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified for the PhD position, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal and interpersonal qualities. The candidate should:

• be creative and innovative
• take responsibility for own progress and can work independently
• be able to collaborate closely with other members of the SeaConnect research team
• be diligent and able to show initiative on behalf of own work
• be structured, targeted and solution-oriented
• have personal skills like a positive and friendly attitude and contributing to a sustainable social environment

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. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The period of employment is 3 years (which can be extended to 4 years with teaching duties).

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Materials Science and 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.

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 or Norwegian.

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: 

• A cover letter describing the personal motivation, summarising scientific work, and how the applicant sees her/his background suitable.
• A draft research proposal (1 or 2 pages) for the PhD study, presenting ideas for the PhD-work and how it can be applied, based on the project description given in this advertisement. This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project.
• 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.
• Name and contact information of three referees.
• Documentation of English language proficiency.
• 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.

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 Professor Mari-Ann Einarsrud (telephone +4748136521, email: mari-ann.einarsrud@ntnu.no) and/or Dr. Emre Kantar (e-mail: emre.kantar@sintef.no). If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Marie Kristiansen, e-mail: marie.kristiansen@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: 20.04.2023.

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 Materials Science and Engineering  

We are Norway's leading educational and research environment in materials engineering, materials chemistry and materials science.  In collaboration with business and industry, we are a driving force for the development of innovative materials as well as new applications and manufacturing processes.  Activities in our disciplines are vital for the green shift. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline 20th April 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technolog
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service