PhD Candidate in Flexible Forming Technologies

About the job

We are looking for a PhD Candidate in Flexible forming technologies for prototyping and low volume manufacturing of aluminium products.For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

We are looking for you who wants to join Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at NTNU with flexible forming technologies for prototyping and low volume manufacturing of aluminium products. You will be working toward obtaining a doctoral degree with a research focus on metal forming and elevate your research career by becoming a pivotal part of our dynamic team. If you're fervent about practical research and wish to make a significant mark in the realm of Metal Forming, we are eager to collaborate with you.

The key goal of the position is to explore and enhance our understanding of flexible metal forming processes. We're particularly interested in processes that have the potential to be cost-effective for low volume manufacturing and prototyping. This might also extend to include the integration of formative processes with additive manufacturing.

Your research will mainly address forming aluminum extrusions, but avenues to explore sheets and forgings may also arise. You have the opportunity to engage in hands-on experimental work at the department’s state-of-the-art research facilities, encompassing domains from metal forming to metrology. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work under the guidance of an Associate Professor within the same field, and in a larger team with multiple researchers working on similar topics.

You will be an integral member of the NTNU Aluminum Product Innovation Centre (NAPIC), concentrating on aluminum products and processes. NAPIC is a synergistic collaboration between industry powerhouses Hydro, NTNU, SINTEF, and Sintef Raufoss Manufacturing (SRM). Its vision is to pioneer new aluminum product avenues through cross-disciplinary, research-driven innovations.

Your immediate leader is Associate Professor Sigmund Arntsønn Tronvoll

Duties of the position

• gather and review existing knowledge in the field of flexible metal forming processes, identifying new areas of potential interest
• plan and carry out physical and numerical experiments regarding the identified areas of interest
• document, and publish data from research activities related to the project
• compile your findings into a comprehensive PhD thesis

Required selection criteria

• you must have a professionally relevant background in mechanical engineering
• your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level (MSc)
• 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 be familiar with metal forming processes, either through academic courses or industrial experience
• you must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program

• you have good written and oral English 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

• familiarity with physical workshop labour
• familiarity with numerical simulations for mechanical behavior (finite element modeling)

• familiarity with basic computer programming through one or more of the languages: Pyhton, Matlab, JavaScript and C++.

Personal characteristics

• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• strong analytical skills
• capable of working independently, taking initiative, and driving progress
• goal-oriented
• comfortable with trial and error, and possesses the ability to learn and adapt from mistakes
• detail-oriented
• team player

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

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 532 200 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 be attached to 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: 

• CV and certificates
• 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 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• 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.

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 Sigmund A. Tronvoll, email: sigmund.tronvoll@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Hedda Winnberg, e-mail: Hedda.winnberg@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).

Application deadline: 08.10.2023

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 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 8th October 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Richard Birkelands vei 2b, 7034 Trondheim