Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Zero Coast in Study of Emerging Integrated Energy

About the position 

Applicants are invited for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship position at theDepartment of Electric Power Engineering , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. The candidate will be a part of thePower System Operation and Analysis (PSOA) research group .

The Zero Coast project, which is a part of the Norwegian Government’s Green Platform Initiative, aims to accelerate the transition toward a climate neutral fisheries and aquaculture industry by developing technologies and competence enabling the massive introduction of zero-emission fishing and utility vessels along the Norwegian coastline. The Zero Coast consortium is spearheading this transition by demonstrating the feasibility, reliability, and safe operation of hydrogen-electric vessels and infrastructure fitting all segments of the coastal fleet.

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions.  

The postdoctoral candidate will work closely with the project’s core research team and key local actors at Lofoten islands in the Northern Norway as local authorities, distribution system operator, supplier of hydrogen and boat manufacturers. More details about the project are available at https://zerokyst.no/ . 

The position reports to the Head of the Department. The main workplace will be Trondheim. 

Duties of the position

The Postdoctoral fellowship position will be associated with “Onshore energy infrastructure” activity, which develops and validates optimal configurations of integrated onshore infrastructure for hydrogen and electricity supply. The tasks will focus on integration of the emerging infrastructure required for decarbonisation of the coastal fishing and aquaculture (e.g., battery charging in harbours, “cold ironing”, hydrogen electrolysers and storage etc.) on the full-scale regional level into the national power system. The study will explore the potential synergies and benefits, uncover the potential challenges, and consider alternative ways to resolve these. The study will provide recommendations for integration of the decarbonised coastal multi-energy infrastructure into the power system without compromising its resilience and reliability.  

Planned tasks and responsibilities:

The postdoctoral fellow will be working on work package 3 of this project, where a more precise description of the tasks and deliverables can be found. In particular, the researcher will be focusing or partially focusing on the following tasks: 

• Identify an appropriate infrastructure required for decarbonisation of the coastal fishing and aquaculture (including battery charging in harbours, “cold ironing”, hydrogen electrolysers and storage etc.) including the full-scale regional level and the national power system. 
• Develop simulation model to explore the potential synergies and benefits, uncover the potential challenges, and consider alternative ways to resolve mentioned challenges. 
• Perform simulations on the full-scale regional level, include the national power system behaviours, test and validate numerical model(s) and explore research options for optimal system operation.

Required selection criteria

The successful candidate is expected to work independently, have a solid mathematical background, and have a Ph.D. within electrical engineering (or engineering physics) with specialization in power system, or another relevant discipline, with a Ph.D. thesis relevant for the project. Good command of the English language (spoken and written) is a prerequisite. An eligible candidate should have submitted the Ph.D. thesis for assessment by the application deadline. In summary:

• You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian Ph.D.
• You must have a professionally relevant background in Electrical Engineering or another relevant discipline.
• Substantial research experience documented with peer-reviewed scientific papers
• Excellent with verbal and written communication in English.

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

The preferred candidate might demonstrate competence in some of the following:

• Skilled in electrical network analysis.
• Proficiency or good knowledge of power system modelling and simulation software(s). 
• Understanding of electricity market design, in particular markets for system services and flexibility.
• Experience in power system dynamics and/or flexibility studies would be advantageous.

Personal characteristics

The successful candidate should be

• creative and innovative
• independent and self-motivated
• able to work in a team

We offer 

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment 
• an open and inclusive work environment  with dedicated colleagues 

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are paid 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 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.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application 

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.

The application must include:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes the personal motivation, summarizing scientific work, and how the applicant sees her/his background suitable.
• A research proposal (3-5 pages) for the postdoctoral career, where the candidate presents her/his ideas for the postdoctoral 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 (summarising education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity).
• Copies of educational certificates academic transcript of records (Bachelor-, Masters- and Doctoral degrees), and letters of recommendation. Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement  or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
• A publication list, including citation rates according to Google Scholar or Web of Science. Highlight up to five of the most significant and relevant publications. The most relevant publications (maximum five) must be attached. 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.
• The required documentation of English language proficiency.
• Names and contact information of at least two references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number).

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

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.

Questions about the position can be directed to Professor Irina Oleinikova [email protected]  

Application deadline: 05.10.2022

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 Electric Power Engineering

The Department of Electric Power Engineering is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Our department is Norway’s leading in the field, and our vision is to be at the centre of the digital, green shift. We have excellent collaboration with business and industry as well as other universities and research organizations internationally. This gives us outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary research with high relevance for the society, addressing industrial needs and global challenges.

Deadline 5th October 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Campus Trondheim