Researcher within blue hydrogen production

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 42,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

We have a vacancy for a researcher at the Department of Chemical Engineering. The position is for 1 year, and the start date should be latest 01.01.2023.

This project focuses on heat integration and energy options for future hydrogen production on platforms. This work looks into the future and tries to identify low TRL-level processes and concepts with the potential to be used in platform-based production of blue hydrogen. The processes and concepts are evaluated based on their ability to provide processes with low CO2 footprint (and low methane emissions), energy usage and future suitability for platforms.

The work will contain simulations using HYSYS/Aspen Plus and preliminary techno-economical evaluations to identify opportunities, challenges, and R&D needs for selected process concepts.

Your immediate leader is Professor Hanna Knuutila.

• Literature review and selection of concept/process to focus on in collaboration with the project team
• Simulation of the selected novel process concept. The focus will be in on heat integration, the possibility of using heat pumps and process intensification opportunities
• Evaluation of CO2 emissions and preliminary techno-economical evaluation
• Evaluation of R&FD needs to make the concept industrially relevant
• Documentation of the performed work in a report/scientific publication(s)
• Presentation of the performed work and progress internally and externally

• Master or PhD in Chemical Engineering  
• Experience in process simulations using HYSYS/Aspen Plus
• Knowledge and some experience in techno-economical evaluations
• Good written and oral English language skills

• Experience in heat integration studies
• Knowledge of H2 production (from SMR)
• Knowledge of heating pumps and/or electrical heaters
• Experience with solvent-based absorption

• Motivated
• Able to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Pro-active
• Able to work independently

The gross salary for the position of reasearcher (code1108) is normally remunerated at gross from NOK 501 200 before tax per year, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund,

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.

The position is subject to external funding.

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

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

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.  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 
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 works) 
• A description of the academic/artistic works that you regard as most relevant and that you particularly want to be taken into account in the assessment 
• Details of the projects you have managed, with information about funding, duration and size 
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees 

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.  

In the assessment of the best qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.  This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

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.  

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 Hanna Knuutila, telephone (+47) 73 59 41 19, email [email protected] . 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR advisor Nina Sandberg, 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: 18.09.2022

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 Chemical Engineering 

We take chemistry from laboratory scale to industrial production. This demands a wide range of knowledge, from molecular processes and nanotechnology to building and operation of large processing plants. We educate graduates for some of Norway's most important industries. The Department of Chemical Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.