PhD Position in Physics of Droplet Condensation

About the position

A three-year PhD position within numerical modelling of condensing droplets is available at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim.

Dropwise condensation is a complex phenomenon encountered both in nature and in several practical industrial processes. Despite its relevance, many important questions remain unanswered, hindering the potential high efficiency of dropwise condensation for water collection and industrial condensation applications. The position is part of the project “Droplet growth dynamics during condensation” financed by the Research Council of Norway. This project focuses on fundamental research, using numerical simulations and theory to better understand the condensation phenomenon. The work will involve the development and implementation of numerical models to be able to reproduce the physics and interaction between a liquid and a solid surface, based on an existing numerical code at our group. High-fidelity computational simulations will be used to investigate the roles of internal fluid flow, capillary forces, solid substrate topography and phase-change heat transfer phenomena on sessile droplets behavior.

The selected candidate will join our ongoing activities at the Thermal Two-Phase Flow Laboratory (ThTPFLab) at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU. For more information on the ThTPFLab group, please follow this link . The candidate will also have access to the national computing infrastructure.

Starting date for the positions will be as soon as possible.

The positions will report to Professor Terese Løvås, Head of the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, for employee matters and to Professor Maria Fernandino in day-to-day project management and supervision.

Duties of the position

• Implementation and numerical solutions of the physical models 
• Validation of the models against experimental data 
• Computational investigation of dropwise condensation phenomenon
• Collaboration with the other member of the group 
• Writing of conference and journal articles 

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in fluid mechanics, physics and numerical methods or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

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 .

Applicants are strictly advised to address the following additional qualification requirements in their application:

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering or equivalent.
• Strong background in fundamental or applied fluid mechanics and physics
• Experience in numerical methods (including undergraduate/graduate courses) and scientific computing (only CFD experience based on the use of commercial software is not sufficient)
• Outstanding programming skills in Matlab, Python or similar are required
• Knowledge in finite element and/or spectral methods is not a requirement but will be beneficial
• Excellent English skills, spoken and written, are required.

Personal characteristics

• Strong motivation and curiosity driven
• Ability to work independently and the ability to work as part of a team.
• Good communication skills

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, 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 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 Engineering 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 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 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 diploma
• A 1 page “qualifications” document explicitly detailing how you meet each of the required and some (or all) of the desired qualifications listed above. An application missing this document may be considered incomplete by the selection committee.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment
• Name and address of three referees, and relation to candidate

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 suitability.

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.

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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.

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.

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 Prof. Maria Fernandino, email [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Renate Fjellheim, 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 IV-201/21 when applying.

Application deadline: 29.09.2021

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 Energy and Process Engineering

We conduct research and teaching covering the entire energy chain, from resources to the end-user. We look at how energy is produced and used by humans and machines in a sustainable way with regard to health, climate change and the resource base. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering  is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 29th September 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Fixed Term
Place of service Department of Energy and Process Engineering