Postdoctoral Fellow in on Laser-Based Welding of Steels and Aluminium Alloys

About the job

A Post Doctorate position within the frame of the SFI PhysMet (Centre for Sustainable and Competitive Metallurgical and Manufacturing Industry; https://www.ntnu.edu/physmet ) is offered at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The position is linked to Research Activity (RA) 4-Innovative processing and joining methods.

Laser-based welding offers an enormous increase in productivity compared to conventional arc welding. It provides low heat inputs which reduces distortions and residual stresses. This may significantly also improve the quality of welded joints and reduce reworking. However, there are many challenges to be resolved in keyhole beam laser-based welding due to deep and narrow weld geometry. Therefore, more in depth studies and advanced solutions are required. Advanced process control and improvement in combination with advanced monitoring technologies and characterisation methods can reveal the physics of laser-material interaction and resulting processes and microstructure. In addition, numerical modelling may assist in understanding the underlying phenomena.

Duties of the position

Reduction and complete elimination of welding defects in deep and narrow weld is of primary objectives for different alloys and thicknesses. This requires extensive knowledge of laser-based processing including hybrid laser and arc welding. Therefore, the duties for postdoc primarily consist of experimental research using high power fiber laser station in combination with monitoring technologies such as high-speed imaging to record process behaviour. In addition, microstructural studies (e.g. Light optical microscope, SEM, TEM, etc) and optimization of process parameters will be performed. New efficient optimization strategies must be developed, and deeper knowledge of the laser-metal interaction is expected. Numerical modelling will be conducted using FEA/CFD methods to understand the process behaviour. Mechanical characterization of the samples will be performed to evaluate the qualification of the ‘best result’ (or selected) process parameters and comparing the results with available standards/codes and literature. This can include microhardness, tensile, fracture, and fatigue performance of the welded joints.

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Materials Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• You should have a strong academic background from your previous studies.
• You should have experience of laser processing, fusion welding or similar processing of metals.
• You must have good written and oral English language and communication skills. Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is considered as a plus.

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 relevant candidates should have an educational background which preferably includes hands-on experience with methods for laser processing of materials and mechanical testing and characterization, as well as numerical simulation tools such as nonlinear FEM. Experience on Multiphysics simulations and CFD is as well advantageous.

Personal characteristics

• Creative, with a strong ability to work goal-oriented and independently.
• Good skills to deliver oral and written presentations of research results.
• He/she should also enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in working in project teams.

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 594 500 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.

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 be attached to 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 and certificates, including list of publications and information pertaining to the given qualifications
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees.
• 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.
• Possible academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 items)
• The required documentation of English language proficiency.
• Name and 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.

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 are interested in the position or have any questions, please contact Professor Knut Marthinsen, telephone 41513972, email knut.marthinsen@ntnu.no   or Senior business developer Magnus Eriksson, telephone +4793401703, email magnus.eriksson@sintef.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: 21.09.2023

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 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 21st September 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service Trondheim, 7491 Trondheim