PhD Position in materials for subsea power cables

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We have a vacancy for a PhD position in materials for subsea power cables at the Functional Materials and Materials Chemistry research group (FACET) (https://www.ntnu.edu/ima/research/facet ), Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU Norwegian University for Science and Technology.

The academic position will provide the opportunity for professional development through studies towards a PhD degree, related to the Ocean Grid project. The Ocean Grid project, which is a part of the Norwegian Government’s Green Platform Initiative, aims to develop cost-competitive energy technologies for the international market through research-based innovation. The prominent driver for this research is the ambition to re-align the Norwegian offshore industry from Oil & Gas-based activities towards offshore wind energy and hydrogen. The PhD candidate will work in a joint research project with leading energy companies and developers, suppliers and manufacturers, and research and innovation organisations. More details about the Ocean Grid project are available at this link .

You will report to Professor Mari-Ann Einarsrud

The PhD candidate will through experimental studies participate in the development of reliable and long-life high voltage wet design subsea power cables. Accelerated wet ageing of state-of-the-art high voltage subsea cables will be studied by advanced characterisation techniques followed by development of alternative new cable screens or high voltage insulation materials. The results of the project are expected to be published in scientific journals and conferences and presented to research partners and user partners in the Ocean Grid project consortium.

• You must have a professionally relevant background in materials science and engineering including hybrid and/or polymer materials as well as strong knowledge in materials chemistry.
• You must be familiar with materials characterisation techniques, e.g., electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and willing to learn electrical characterisation.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program in Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Chemistry or equivalent, 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.
  • Master students who expect to complete their studies by summer 2022 are also encouraged to apply. Employment will then be postponed until the Master's degree is finished.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the Faculty of Natural Sciences doctoral program https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd
• 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 the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants  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
• preferred selection criteria
• good written and oral English and Norwegian language skills (ta stilling til språkkrav)

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified for the PhD position, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability. The candidate should:

• take responsibility for own progress and have the ability to work independently
• have good communication skills and be able to collaborate closely with other members of the research group
• be diligent and able to show initiative on behalf of own work
• be structured, targeted and solution-oriented
• have personal skills like a positive and friendly attitude and contributing to a sustainable social environment

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 491 200 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 (which can be extended to 4 years with teaching duties).

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in [subject area] (Link to website, if applicable) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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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 daily.

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English or Norwegain.

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 describing the personal motivation, summarising scientific work, and how the applicant sees her/his background suitable
• A draft research proposal (1 or 2 pages) for the PhD study, presenting ideas for the PhD-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, certificates and diplomas
• 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.
• Name, address and contact information of three referees
• Documentation of English language proficiency.
• If you have publications or other relevant research work

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.

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.

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

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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.

In accordance with The Public Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Mari-Ann Einarsrud, telephone +4748136521, email: [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Hilde Martinsen Nordø, e-mail: [email protected]

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI) .

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number NV-122/21 when applying.

Application deadline: 31.12.2021

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 .