PhD Candidate in multiaxial fatigue and fracture analysis of rotating machinery in maritime sector

7th April 2024
Languages
English

• English

English
The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering has a vacancy for a
PhD Candidate in multiaxial fatigue and fracture analysis of rotating machinery in maritime sector
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About the job

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

MarCoPoLO project:

Ship propulsion systems are critical for sea vessel safety, encompassing engines, thrusters, and other rotating machinery like anchor winches and pumps. Ensuring the safety and reliability of these components is vital. Traditional condition monitoring solutions monitor vibrations and temperature, often detecting significant damage only in advanced stages, leading to imminent breakdowns without sufficient time for preventive measures.

The MarCoPolo research project introduces an innovative approach by combining advanced machine learning (ML) and acoustic emission (AE) technologies in ship thrusters and machinery. The objective is not only early detection of subsurface damage but also real-time characterization integrated into a digital twin. This integration enhances Remaining Useful Life (RUL) assessment, enabling improved predictive maintenance planning, and measures for extending lifetime, such as power restrictions in a "safe return to port” mode.

The RUL estimation process utilizes signals from remote torque and AE sensors to calculate and verify fatigue crack size and locations. These signals are analyzed to numerically assess fracture crack growth, considering component materials, heat treatments, and surface modifications. Accounting for resulting stress states and material properties, this approach aims to optimize gear and bearing lifetime through tailored manufacturing processes.

 

PhD project:

Your research is expected to cover experiments, theoretical work, and numerical simulation. Focus will be placed on the material characterization of carburized parts such as spiral bevel gears in azimuthing thrusters. These gears are subjected to a highly complex, multiaxial stress state and feature locally changing fatigue properties as a function of the introduced carbon profile. Through an accurate stress prediction and material characterization, your research is going to support the accurate prediction of the remaining useful lifetime of these critical driveline components. Targeted are the characterization of existing material solutions but also novel material selections. Your results will be verified against either Rolling Contact Fatigue tests or medium-sized gear testing.

Your role will provide ample opportunities to interact and collaborate with fellow maritime technologists and scientists within different fields.

The position is financed by the Research Council of Norway’s Innovation Project for the Industrial Sector, on development of novel Maritime Condition monitoring technology by acoustic emission and machine learning processing for Lifetime Optimisation (MarCoPoLO) in collaboration with Kongsberg Maritime, Sintef AS, Island Offshore AS, and Havila Shipping ASA.

Your immediate leader is Associate Professor Nima Razavi.

Duties of the position

• performing mechanical characterization (such as tensile, fracture and fatigue tests)
• microstructural analysis of the alloys used in the project
• application of advanced damage detection methods for structural integrity assessment
• application and development of novel local approaches for fatigue life prediction
• performing advanced numerical analysis with the aim of failure prediction
• write and defend a PhD thesis
• take part in the mandatory PhD research education programme

Required selection criteria

• you must have a professionally relevant background in mechanical engineering
• your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
• 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 meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program
• excellent written and oral English skills
• documented Strong background in solid mechanics and mechanics of materials
• documented Excellent track record of academic achievement

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

• knowledge and experience in mechanical testing of materials or components
• experience in using Finite Element Codes such as ABAQUS, ANSYS, etc. for numerical analysis
• good understanding in fatigue and fracture mechanics
• knowledge of metallography and material science would be given additional credit in evaluation
• the ability to conduct high quality research and publish results in acknowledged peer-reviewed journals

Personal characteristics

• highly motivated, independent and enthusiastic
• strong ability to systematically carry out goal-oriented work
• enjoy interdisciplinary research
• keen interest in learning and working in teams
• good skills to deliver oral and written presentation of research results
• strong interest in conducting experimental and numerical research

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.

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The position is subject to external funding.

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 before taking up the position
• name and contact information of three referees and their recommendation letters for your application for this position (Note: the referees will also be directly contacted for shortlisted candidates for the position)
• motivation letter (Note: the motivation letter must be aligned with the subject of this call and why the candidate finds themselves suitable for this position. The candidates must include their plan of action for the first 30, 60, and 90 days of the PhD, aligned with the topic of the project)
• if you have publications or other relevant research work (the candidate’s contribution to each work must be clarified (performed tasks and percentage of contribution))
• documentation of the required criteria

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.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality.

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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.

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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 Nima Razavi, email: [email protected]. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Hedda Winnberg, 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: 07.04.2024

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NTNU - knowledge for a better world

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.

Apply for this job
Deadline

7th April 2024

Employer

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Municipality

Trondheim

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Temporary

Place of service
Richard Birkelands vei 2B, 7034 Trondheim

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