About the position
We have a vacancy for a PhD Candidate at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the field of Electrochemistry. Electrochemistry is an interdisciplinary field drawing on chemistry, physics, materials science, electronics, and nanotechnology alike; a PhD in electrochemistry offers unique possibilities for an exciting career in academia or industry. As a PhD Candidate in the Department’s Electrochemistry Group you will enjoy excellently equipped laboratories, extensive support from supervisors and technicians, and networking possibilities; in the electrochemistry group you will be part of a larger group of PhD Candidates and researchers, and you will be in extensive contact with our academic and industry partners alike.
About the project
The PhD candidate will work on the development of anode electrocatalysts for use in the production of nickel, zinc, and copper (aqueous electrowinning), metals which are all highly relevant for the green transition. The objective of the PhD project is to develop advanced novel anode catalysts for the oxygen evolution in acidic conditions, which makes the project also highly relevant for water electrolysis.
The PhD position is affiliated with the prestigious ZeMe Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (ZeMe FME), funded by industry and the Research Council of Norway. The ZeMe (Zero Emission Metal Production) FME develops the fundamental knowledge and technologies needed by the Norwegian metallurgical industry to become climate neutral by 2050.
Duties of the position
- Experimental electrochemistry (voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear-sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry and others, including in-situ methods)
- Characterization of degradation processes by in-line ICP-MS
- Manufacture of electrocatalytic layers
- Structural and morphological characterization (X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and others)
- Analysis of results
- Communicate with industry and the research community
- Scientific and technical reporting through regular dissemination channels, public dissemination through social media and other channels, and participation in international conferences.
Minor adjustments in duties are to be expected as the results dictate.
Required selection criteria
- You must have a professionally relevant background, preferably in electrochemistry or chemistry, but candidates with a background in analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, nanotechnology, materials science, or physics may also apply.
- You must have a genuine interest in the project topic and a willingness to specialize in electrochemistry.
- You must have a Master’s degree or equivalent in one of the above areas. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master’s level. Master’s students can apply, but the master’s degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
- You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master’s degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered 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.
- You must be fluent in written and oral English.
As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01.08.2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate
Preferred selection criteria
- Experience in materials synthesis and characterization, preferably in wet-chemical synthesis methods relevant for electrocatalysis
- An ability and willingness to teach and supervise students will be considered an advantage.
- A willingness and interest in secondment to the industry.
Personal characteristics
To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is particularly important that you are in possession of
- excellent communication and collaborative skills,
- creativity, excellent analytical skills, and an ability to organize information,
- abilities to plan and organize scientific work and laboratory experiments,
- an ability to work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity, and
- an ability to learn collaboratively as a part of a team.
Emphasis will be placed on these and other personal qualities.
We offer
- An exciting job with an important mission in society
- Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
- Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
- Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
- Working capital that can be used to implement the project
- Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
- As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts.
Diversity
Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population’s collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.
We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.
If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.
Salary and conditions
In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 536 200,- per annum. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.
The employment period is 3 years.
For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Materials Science within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.
The position is conditional on external funding.
As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.
For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.
About the application
The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.
Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates The application must include:
- Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copy of Master’s thesis. If you have recently 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.
- Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
- Any publications etc. or other relevant research work you may wish to attach
- Any relevant certificates you may wish to attach
- Names and contact information of three relevant referees
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. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.
Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU’s social mission).
The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.
Please note that the person hired will work with critical infrastructure and areas affected by controls on the export of strategic goods, services and technology. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for the necessary security clearance, access clearance and authorization as described in the National Security Act, the Export Control Act and the Act on the Implementation of International Sanctions (Sanctions Act) cannot be considered.
General information
A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt 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 exemption is not granted.
If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Svein Sunde, telephone +47 7359 4051/+47 9576 6011), email svein.sunde@ntnu.no.
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Marie Kristiansen, email marie.kristiansen@ntnu.no.
Application deadline: 07.03.2025