PhD Candidate in Engineering Geology - SO IV-107/24

About the job

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

The Department of Geosciences (IGP) has a vacancy for a full-time 100% position as a PhD candidate within the field of Engineering Geology. The prospective candidate will be part of the Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics research group at the Department of Geosciences but will also collaborate with other NTNU departments and other stakeholders.

NTNU is the largest University in Norway with a long tradition of research and education in engineering and natural sciences. Department of Geosciences offers a dynamic research environment in fundamental and applied aspects of the geosciences. 

The objective of the PhD education is to qualify for scientific research of high international standard. The PhD education has a nominal duration of three years of full-time study and includes required coursework or similar academic training comprising a minimum of 30 credits. The most important component of the PhD education is an independent scientific research project carried out under academic supervision, which results in a PhD thesis. The PhD degree is conferred based on these two elements and the doctoral examination, which consists of a trial lecture and a public defence of the scientific thesis.

The candidate is expected to fully complete the course work and the PhD thesis within the period of employment, which is 3 years.

Areas of the world that were once glaciated, such as Scandinavia and Canada, undergo isostatic uplift due to the unloading of the continental crust following the melting of the last ice sheets. As a result, large expanses of former seabed, blanketed by fine-grained glaciomarine (clay) sediments, have been uplifted during the Holocene period (the last ~10,000 years). These glaciomarine clays now cover low-lying areas of Norway that fall below the so-called marine limit, and their flat topography makes them ideal for agriculture, infrastructure development, commercial enterprises, and residential construction. Glaciomarine and postglacial clay areas constitute about 5000 km2 or only 1.6% of Norway's total land area but are the most densely populated regions in the country.

Often, these fine-grained glaciomarine clays are stable and present minimal geohazard risks. However, substantial sections of the glaciomarine clay areas are potentially “quick," implying that the clays can become highly unstable due to even minor disturbances. Quick-clay slides can be triggered by natural erosion along rivers and small channels, or by human-induced factors such as excavation, fillings and even vibrations. The landscape beneath the marine limit in Norway bears evidence of numerous quick clay slides that have occurred in both prehistoric and historic times. In recorded history, there have been many large quick clay slides resulting in loss of life and property. The most recent major quick clay slide tragedy in Norway occurred in December 2020, claiming 10 lives.

While we have a fundamental understanding of how marine clays form and transform into quick clays, there are still several unresolved questions and uncertainties. This PhD project aims to enhance our understanding of one or several of the following issues related to quick clay in Norway:

• The application of 3D mapping techniques, which utilize various remote sensing data sources, terrain analysis in conjunction with geotechnical drill hole data, and geophysical measurements. The importance of data mining and the use of big data is emphasized.
• The topographic and environmental factors that could potentially destabilize marine clays in Norway, including the use of AI to identify these factors and predict areas susceptible to quick clay.
• The impact of changes in pore water chemistry in the clay over geological time on its stability.
• The role of peptizing agents other than groundwater, such as humic acids or sulphuric solutions, in destabilizing a clay deposit.

This project holds significant societal relevance in Norway and other regions facing similar issues. It also offers potential for interdisciplinary collaboration across various scientific fields, including Sedimentology, Quaternary Geology, Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Computer science and Chemistry.

You will report to the project supervisor professor Ola Fredin.

Your immediate leader is Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• Design a project related to quick clay in collaboration with supervisors and research team
• Collect, analyze, and disseminate data relevant to the research project
• Write at least three papers to be published in scientific journals. Share data through open access repositories
• Write a PhD thesis and publicly defend the thesis
• Complete the PhD program at NTNU, including course work and research

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. To be successful as a PhD candidate you must have a strong background and the following will be used as selection criteria.

• You must hold a M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) within Geology or Engineering Geology with specialization in for example Quaternary geology, geohazards, clay mineralogy, 3D- and spatial modelling. Alternatively, another relevant discipline, for example soil chemistry or Geotechnical engineering, with a MSc thesis relevant for this PhD topic will be considered.
• You should possess knowledge in the formation and characteristics of quick clay, specifically in the geological and geotechnical facets of marine sediments in areas previously covered by glaciers, as well as the Quaternary geological history of Scandinavia.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, 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.
• Scientific publications in international journals and at conferences will give merit.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program (https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme (https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme))
• Applicants must provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. Assessment of both written and oral English language skills and the ability to communicate fluently will be conducted in the continued selection process and during any interviews for all applicants.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate (https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2006-01-31-102) 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  (https://lovdata.no/dokument/SFE/forskrift/2018-12-05-1878)

Preferred selection criteria

• A working knowledge of a Scandinavian language, and particularly Norwegian, is beneficial but not a requirement. 

Personal characteristics

• Teamwork and effective communication skills are highly valued and will be a focal point during the hiring process.
• The ability to manage time efficiently, work independently, and take initiative is also highly regarded.
• Proficiency in networking and the capacity to seek collaboration within academia and among societal stakeholders is greatly beneficial.

In assessing the most qualified candidate, we will consider education, experience, personal suitability, and motivation in relation to the qualification requirements outlined in the job posting. We are particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate independence, original thinking, and a scientific mindset.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment (http://innsida.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/Norsk/Inkluderende+arbeidsliv) with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (https://www.spk.no/en/)
• employee benefits (https://innsida.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Benefits+and+discounts)

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 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.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Engineering (https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme (https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme)) 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 (https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2017-06-16-67), 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.

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 or Norwegian.

Publications and other scientific work must be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified 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.
• A proposed research plan showing the main questions the candidate wants to address
• Name and contact information 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 (https://www.ntnu.edu/positions/documentation-requirements-of-academic-credentials). If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway), please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short 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. (http://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 (https://www.ntnu.edu/nirs)

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees' needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality. (https://www.ntnu.edu/genderequality) 

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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.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation (https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2006-05-19-16/KAPITTEL_3#%C2%A725). You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact professor Ola Fredin, email ola.fredin@gmail.com. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Anne-Lise Brekken, e-mail: anne.lise.brekken@ntnu.no.

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 25.10.2024.