PhD Position at Center for Quantum Spintronics

About the position

A PhD position is available at the Center of Quantum Spintronics, which is part of the Department of Physics, NTNU in Trondheim, Norway. The candidates will join and become part of an international research environment in quantum condensed matter theory and experiments.

The PhD position has a duration of three years with the possibility of up to one-year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department.

About QuSpin

QuSpin carries out research in theoretical as well as experimental fields. QuSpin`s principal goal is to describe, characterize, and develop recently identified quantum approaches to control electric signals, conceptually different from those existing today.

QuSpin, a Center of Excellence, is funded by the Research Council of Norway. QuSpin is managed by a Center Director, a center coordinator and has three principal investigators.

QuSpin currently has 8 permanent and associate professors, 2 researchers, 23 PhD students and 3 postdoctoral researchers from 9 different nations working on various aspects of low-dissipation spintronics.

For further inquiries and information, please contact associate professor Hendrik Bentmann at [email protected]

Duties of the position

At QuSpin, some of our experimental activities are based on spin- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (spin-ARPES). We study new types of quantum materials with spin-dependent electronic properties. For these studies, modern instrumentation is employed at NTNU and at synchrotron facilities worldwide. The candidate will contribute to these activities with a particular focus on magnetic topological insulators and complex ferromagnets.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background (MSc or equivalent) in physics or nanotechnology or a closely related field. It is an advantage if the candidates can document a background that is particularly relevant for ongoing research projects at QuSpin.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, 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. 
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program . 
• The position requires spoken and written fluency in the English language.

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

• Solid background in condensed matter physics
• Previous hands-on experience with ultra-high-vacuum instrumentation and data analysis
• Ideally, experience in ARPES experiments or thin-film growth

Personal characteristics

The candidate should actively contribute in teams. Personal skills like a positive and friendly attitude and contributing to a sustainable social environment will also be valued.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 491 200 per annum before tax. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years with the possibility of up to one-year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in physics   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.

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 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: 

• 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. 
• 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 address 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.

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

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

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 Hendrik Bentmann, telephone: +49 9313182434, email: hendrik.bentmann@physik .uni-wuerzburg.de . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Magnus Gautvik, 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 NvD 173/22 when applying.

Application deadline: 22.05.22

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 Physics

Our research and teaching are both experimental and theoretical, covering a wide range of disciplines. Our activities contribute to development of new medical technology and to finding solutions for the next generation’s communication technology, energy utilization and development of materials. The Department of Physics  is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences .

Deadline 22nd May 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service