PhD positions in electrochemistry – Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering has vacancies for several PhD positions in Electrochemistry.

About the positions

We have up to three vacancies for PhD fellows at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the field of Electrochemistry. PhD fellows are expected to complete the degree of PhD within three or four (including teaching duties) years.

Electrochemistry is a truly interdisciplinary field drawing on chemistry, physics, materials science, electronics, and nanotechnology alike. Electrochemistry therefore offers unique possibilities for interesting scientific work and an exciting career. Electrochemistry is essential in our current endeavours toward the green transition and the establishing of a sustainable society, as it is critical to some pivotal technologies such as hydrogen technology (water electrolysis and fuel cells), batteries, and the manufacture of materials that go into a diverse set of technologies related to energy storage and renewables. The demand for staff with expertise in Electrochemistry is therefore soaring.

The available PhD positions are

PhD 1: This position is affiliated with the LEAn project, which has as its goal to develop efficient and durable anode materials for production of metals. The anode is a major cause of energy loss in production of metals such as nickel and copper, which are highly relevant for batteries and transmission of the electrical energy required for the green transition. It is the objective of the project to develop advanced novel anode catalysts that makes the production of these metals as energy economic as possible. The LEAn-project is funded by the Research Council of Norway and Norwegian and Swedish industry in a prestigious funding scheme. In addition to the PhD, the project team consists of two professors, a team of industry engineers, SINTEF researchers and a post doctor. The position may include secondments/stays in the participating companies (Norway and Sweden).

PhD 2: This position is affiliated with the HOPE project, funded by the Research Council of Norway as one of in total three projects on hydrogen technologies. The overall aim of the project is to reduce the anode loading of Ir catalyst in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). The PhD student will be involved with several aspects of the project, including synthesis of catalyst and electrode fabrication, electrochemical testing of catalysts and electrode structures (porous transport layer and microporous layer), MEA fabrication and single-cell testing as well as single-cell electrochemical modelling. The candidate will work closely with SINTEF researchers in Trondheim and Oslo and may include secondments/stays at both locations.

PhD 3: This position is affiliated with the MiNimize project, funded by the Research Council of Norway and Norwegian Industry. The position deals with advanced coatings and layers for hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis, in close collaboration with one of the World’s leading companies in the field. The objective of the project is to provide novel technological solutions that enables cutting-edge performance and economy of resources, in close collaboration with the industry participant. The position may include secondments/stays at research and production facilities in the participating company (Norway).

Duties of the positions

• • Experimental electrochemistry (voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear-sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry and others, including in-situ methods)
  • Manufacture/synthesis of electrocatalysts, protective coatings, and catalytic layers (plating, wet-chemical synthesis and others)
  • Structural 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.

Required selection criteria

• • You must have a professionally relevant background, preferably in electrochemistry, chemistry, nanotechnology or physics.
  • 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. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
  • Fluent in written and oral English.
  • You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program.

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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

• • Experience in experimental electrochemistry.
  • Experience in materials synthesis and characterization, preferably in nano-structured materials.
  • An ability and willingness to teach and supervise students at all (five-year) MSc levels will be considered an advantage.
  • A willingness and interest in secondments to the industry (LEAn and MiNimize) or research institution (HOPE).
  • For the LEAn position fluency in a Scandinavian language will be considered an advantage.

Personal characteristics

• • Excellent communication and collaborative skills
  • Creativity, excellent analytical skills and an ability to organize information
  • An ability to plan and organize scientific work and laboratory experiments
  • An ability to manage, administrate and economize with available resources

We offer

• • Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
  • An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
  • Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
  • Employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 482 200 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 (four years including teaching duties can be negotiated).

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

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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 positions are subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution, or project partner to which the candidate has been seconded, 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 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, communication 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.

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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.

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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 or recruitment process, please contact Svein Sunde or Frode Seland, email svein.sunde@ntnu.no, frode.seland@ntnu.no.

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-11/22 when applying.

Application deadline: 2nd February 2022

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