PhD Candidate in Ore Forming Processes of Igneous and/or Hydrothermal Systems

About the job

The goal of the position is to obtain a doctoral degree related to our ongoing research on the formation and later remobilization of Ni-Cu-Co-Au-Zn PGE deposits in Norway.  We are currently primarily studying economically promising occurrences in the Seiland Igneous Province, and the Karasjok Greenstone Belt but other relevant Norwegian deposits may also be included. The main goal is to apply mineralogical and petrological characterisation, as well as modelling of igneous and hydrothermal processes to gain a deeper understanding of these geological processes and to unravel their ore-forming potential.

The project is part of an ongoing research collaboration between the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU) and NTNU on the mineral potential in Finnmark. The candidate will utilize the Goldsmith (NGU-UIO) and MiMaC (NTNU-NGU) national infrastructure laboratories. The MiMaC laboratory has a broad range of state-of-the-art equipment for in situ chemical, crystallographical and isotopic mineral analyses including an electron microprobe (EPMA), a ZEISS scanning electron microscope (SEM) that is equipped with the automated mineralogy software ZEISS Mineralogic, laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometer (LA-MC/QqQ-ICP-MS) for in-situ trace-element analysis and U-Pb dating, Raman microscope, Fluid inclusion microthermometry and a Hittachi FEG-SEM with an EBSD system.

Focus of this research project will be to apply combinations and cross correlation of analytical results of these advanced analytical instrumentations to characterize and better understand the mineralising systems. This will be combined with geochemistry including radiogenic isotopes, stable isotopes, modelling and geochronology to understand ore-genesis in the framework of the regional geological evolution. As a PhD candidate in this research project, you will be part of a large cross-disciplinary research environment with researchers in regional geology, petrology, ore-deposit geology, mineralogy, geochronology and geophysics. There is a range of interesting mineral deposits in the region, which allows the project to adapt to the candidate's skills and interests within the theme of ore-forming processes in magmatic-volatile-rich systems studied by the working group. The results of the PhD work will be vital to improve our understanding of the formation of onshore as well as offshore ore deposits and will boost exploration activities after critical metals that are essential for the Green shift.

Your immediate leader is Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• The candidate will have 25% duty work in the MiMaC EM laboratory at NTNU, assisting students/researchers on microanalytical work using JEOL electron microprobe, ZEISS automated mineralogy, SEM-work imaging on the Hitachi SU-6600 and our optical thin section scanner. These analytical instruments will also be vital to the thesis work and the candidate will receive proper training.
• Use a combination of analytical techniques to investigate the mineralogy of Norwegian minerlaisations
• Combine the mineralogical observations with modeling to  interpret the formation processes of the ores and combine this with geochemistry and geochronology to place the mineralizations in a regional framework
• Participate in the general activities of the department.
• Interact with the partners in the projects and particularly laboratory personnel in the MiMac and Goldsmith facilities
• Complete a training component as part of the PhD of a minimum of 30 ECTS.
• Participate in international activities such as conference attendance and/or research stays at educational institutions abroad.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in
  • Mineralogy, including crystal chemistry and crystallography,
  • Ore deposit geology
  • Petrology
  • Experience with electron microprobe and/or SEM analysis is required.
  • Optical transmitted and reflected light microscopy
• 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 https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phiv
• Good written and oral English language skills

The research in this position has civilian objectives. The candidate is required to work with technologies regulated by export control laws. Candidates that might conflict with this requirement will not be evaluated.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  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

• Structural geology
• UAV data collection and processing
• Thermodynamic modelling
  • Programming skills in Matlab, python, Java or similar
• If the candidate has applied this to process analytical data this is advantageous
• Awards , honors and stipends are also relevant

Personal characteristics

• Dedicated
• Innovative
• Analytical
• Good at aiding and collaborating with others, but also able to work independently
• Social and friendly

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 501 200 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 4 years (with 25 % teaching duties).

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Engineering (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phiv ) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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.

The position is subject to external funding (ta stilling til om stillinger skal være betinget av ekstern finansiering).

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 follow 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.
• Project proposal
• Name and contact information of three referees
• 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.

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.  (tas bort hvis ikke aktuelt)

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 Bjørn Eske Sørensen, telephone +47 47284451, e-mail bjorn.sorensen@ntnu.no . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Anne-Lise Brekken, e-mail: anne.lise.brekken@ntnu.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: 26.02.2023.

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 Geoscience and Petroleum

We conduct teaching and research related to management of Earth’s geological resources. Norway’s rich resources of wind, water, oil, gas and minerals have been and are essential to the country’s prosperity, and will continue to be in the future. The Department plays a key role in the development of technology and the education of graduates who enable value creation based on our natural resources. The Department of Geoscience and Petroleum  is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 26th February 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Department of Geoscience and Petroleum