Postdoctoral Fellow within Evaluation of the Interventions and Analysis of Building Performence Gap

About the job

We have a vacancy for a postdoctoral fellow position at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (IBM).

The estimated building performance in the design phase usually deviates from its actual performance after implementing the suggested interventions and while it is being used afterwards. Many causal factors can be identified by using analytical method and AI tools.

The main objective of this position is to support the H2020 EU-funded project (ARV) to identify the causal factors of possible performance gaps within the ARV’s demonstration communities during the construction and operation phases. Where, ARV is aiming at creating climate positive circular communities in Europe and increasing the building renovation rate in the continent.

The second main objective to participate in various activities (i.e., developing new research proposals, supervise research\educational work, teaching, and organize cooperation events) with the new NTNU innovation centre (Green2050). Where, the aim is to create an arena of networking and collaboration between academia and the industry.

Duties of the position

• create a benchmarking tool to evaluate the quality of the building renovation interventions in the project demos (i.e., real case studies)
• develop AI-based algorithms to identify the causal factors of building performance gaps during the construction and the operation
• design and demonstrate a tool for evaluating the performance of on-site construction and/or retrofit activities, incl. (i) time, (ii) noise, dust and other emissions to air, and (iii) other selected indicators from the literature on construction productivity/efficiency
• publish in highly ranked international journals
• supervise master/PhD students
• conducting guided and independent research
• writing research proposals
• support interdisciplinary work within and between research groups on the topic

Required selection criteria

• you must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in engineering (mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or similar). If you can document that the PhD thesis has been submitted, your application can be assessed even if you have not yet defended your dissertation. Documentation of the obtained doctoral degree must be presented before you can take up the position. 
• experience in building performance simulation and monitoring
• strong knowledge regarding building physics and HVAC system
• competence in developing AI-based algorithms using elevant programming software skills (Python, R, MatLab, etc  
• in-depth knowledge regarding Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)
• good written and oral English language skills
• the candidate is expected to work with critical national objects and infrastructure in Norway. Candidates with the potential of not fulfilling requirement for security clearance, access clearance and authorization as described in the Act Relating to National Security, cannot be considered for the position

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

• evidence of an interest in the research, articulated in a cover letter or research proposal
• good knowledge and proven skills of academic and applied research
• experience in handling building information data using BIM and GIS tools
• leading skills related research and education tasks
• genuine interest in research-based education
• knowledge in Scandinavian language is an advantage

Personal characteristics

• confidence in working independently and in teams
• ability and willingness to work in inter- and transdisciplinary teams
• creativity
• critical thinking
• appreciationof safe working practices

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer 

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 563 500 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 2 years.

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: 

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your Ph.D, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted
• a copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, or have recently submitted your thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 items)
• research plan
• evidence of an interest in the research, articulated in a cover letter or research proposal
• teaching profile
• list of publication
• nand contact information of three referees

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 position, please contact Associate Professor Mohamed Hamdy, telephone +47 92052876, email [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Hilde Steen Todal, e-mail: [email protected] .

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: 05.12.22 

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 Civil and Environmental Engineering

We conduct research and teaching in civil and transportation engineering, technical planning, structural engineering, water and wastewater engineering and hydraulic engineering. Graduates from our programmes become employees – in both the public and private sectors – with a sustainability mindset combined with competitive knowledge and skills. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering  is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 5th December 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service Institutt for bygg- og miljøteknikk