The position is affiliated with the research group for Energy and Process Safety (EPT) and is funded by the Faculty of Science and Technology as part of the in-kind from the University of Bergen (UiB) to Norwegian Centre for Hydrogen Research (HyValue), a Norwegian Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME). The PhD research fellow can be admitted to the research school HySchool (www.hyschool.no).

The objective of the PhD project is to investigate the strength of knowledge (SoK) in risk assessments for hydrogen systems where turbulent premixed combustion in complex geometries represents a hazard. It is also relevant to compare the SoK for similar systems using different fuels, and to explore the predictive capabilities of consequence models through blind-prediction benchmark studies. Depending on the qualifications and preferences of the candidate, the work may entail experimental investigations and/or modelling in the open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code PDRFOAM. The work will be conducted in collaboration with other research projects on hydrogen safety at the department.

The position offers a unique opportunity for specialisation and personal development, while contributing to finding solutions with practical significance for the energy transition in society.

The high demand in the labour market for personnel with the knowledge and skills that the candidate will acquire from the PhD project, including positions that entail software development, engineering or consulting for the energy or process industry, and academia.

The career promoting work will entail teaching, outreach, and supervision of Master students.(Short bullet-pointed description)

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent education in applied physics or mathematics or a relevant engineering subject (e.g. mechanical, aerospace, chemical, or process safety). Master students can apply provided they complete their final master exam before 01.10.2025. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded.
• Documented experience from experimental investigations of flame acceleration and detonation phenomena and/or numerical modelling and simulation of three-dimensional turbulent reacting flows in a CFD code is a requirement.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
• Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English.

Experience from one or several of the following areas is an advantage:

• Developing algorithms for CFD solvers (e.g. OpenFOAM).
• Programming in C++ or Fortran and proficiency with MATLAB or Python scripting.
• Experience with tools for simulating chemical kinetic, e.g. Cantera or CHEMKIN.
• Background in compressible flows and applied aerodynamics.
• Experience in data analysis and interpretation of large datasets.
• Knowledge and experience from use and development of CFD codes.
• Risk analysis and risk assessments in the process industry.
• Good command of the Norwegian language in view of teaching assignments

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position

The University of Bergen is subject to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. If necessary, the university will apply for an export license before an offer of employment is made. If UiB has not received a positive response to the export license application within eight (8) weeks, the position may be offered to another applicant.

About the PhD Research Fellow
The duration of the PhD Research Fellowship is 4 years, with 25 percent of the time each year dedicated to required career-promoting work related to research, teaching, and dissemination of results.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training
As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Science and Technology is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

• a good and professionally stimulating working environment.
• salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 568 700. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
• enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• good welfare benefits

• a motivational letter, minimum two and maximum four pages, describing your research interests, your motivation for applying for the position, and how you might conduct the research. The letter must explicitly address each of the qualifications listed under requirements above, explaining how you satisfy each of the requirements. The letter should also address the list of “Advantages” that will be used for the ranking of the candidates. This document must be uploaded as a separate PDF file with the heading “Motivational Letter”.
• the names and contact information for two referees. One of the referees should be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis.
• CV
• transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not yet completed your master’s degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the expected date of award of your master’s degree. Your master’s degree must be documented with transcripts and/or diploma before starting in the position.
• relevant certificates/references
• approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)
• a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list with links)
• any publications in your name
• the application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at JobbNorge.