PhD position in applied physics/fluid mechanics

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About the job

We are looking for excellent applicants for a PhD position at the Thermo-Fluids research group, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU Trondheim.

The position has a duration of 3 years, with start-up no later than January 2025. The supervisor will be Professor Simen Å. Ellingsen whom you may contact for further information.

The PhD candidate will be primarily affiliated with the research project "Small flows with big consequences: Wave-, Turbulence- and Shear current-Driven mixing under a water surface" (WaTurSheD) financed by the European Research Council (ERC), whose overall goal is to understand the mutual interactions between waves, currents and turbulence (WCT) in the uppermost layer of the ocean through experimental, numerical and theoretical research. WTC interactions play an important role in the weather and climate systems by mixing the waters, controlling the exchange of heat, gas, energy and momentum between ocean and atmosphere, as well as the transport of microplastics, pollutants and nutrients. Read a recent experimental article here.

The candidate’s experimental project will form part of a greater experimental campaign, and the work will be carried out in collaboration with a team of PhD students, postdocs and researchers. The candidate will be part of an excellent team of PhD students and postdocs in WaTurSheD and the closely related project GLITR (also ERC, led by Professor Jason Hearst), and will collaborate closely both within the project groups and with external collaborators in Europe and the USA.

There is considerable flexibility in tailoring the project to the candidates' particular strengths and interests, so a range of different educational backgrounds in physics and engineering can be relevant. Significant experience with experimental laboratory work is a significant advantage, though not an absolute requirement so long as the candidate has a strong background in maths, general physics and programming. Experimental methods currently in use are, among others, particle-image velocimetry, laser-induced fluorescence, free-surface synthetic schlieren methods and Fourier-transform profilometry. Previous knowledge of these methods, although beneficial, is not required.

Novel data analysis methods, including data-driven ones, will be made use of, requiring analytical and programming skills.

The Thermo-Fluids group is internationally excellent with a cutting-edge team of researchers from many branches of fluid mechanics. The candidate will be part of a vibrant scientific environment.

Applications must be sent through the JobbNorge platform, not via email.

Duties of the position

• The candidate will plan and execute a comprehensive, independent research project under supervision. Depending on the exact project decided this will involve theoretical work, analysis of large data sets, and considerable numerical programming.
• The candidate will learn to master academic writing and be lead author of several journal publications.
• The candidate is expected to present her/his work at international conferences and workshops.
• Depending on funding, qualifications and need, part-time teaching duty may become an option, with an equal time added to the employment period, up to one year (the time for the PhD work itself will thus be unchanged).

Required selection criteria

• A strong background in fundamental physics, mechanics and applied mathematics is required
• The ability to perform experimental work is a key selection criterion. Should the applicant not have significant experimental experience, the ability to perform highly technical, practical tasks must be otherwise argued,
• Previous experience with surface waves and/or turbulent flow is an advantage, but experience from other branches of physics could also qualify.
• Programming proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C++ or similar is necessary.
• Excellent written and oral English language skills.
• 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 have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must be able to start the position no later than January 2025.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program.

Please note that experience with ready-made CFD software (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, Star CCM, openFOAM), while potentially useful, is not particularly relevant and does not qualify for the position.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with 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

• The research is of a fundamental kind; applicants with an applied or industrial background in engineering will typically not be competitive.
• A specialization in physics or fluid mechanics (mechanical engineering) is typically preferred.
• Knowledge in data-driven analysis of large data sets is highly relevant.

Personal characteristics

• Enthusiastic and highly motivated
• Able to work effectively in a team
• Diligent, thorough and hard-working
• Able to work structured and goal oriented with a drive to get projects finished
• Creative and good at finding solutions
• Open-minded and tolerant, able to work in a highly multicultural environment and collaborate equally well regardless of colleagues’ cultural background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality.

The candidate is expected to contribute to the social and environment and activities, of Professor Ellingsens group and the larger Thermo-Fluids group above and beyond the position itself.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement

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 that we recommend you to read more about

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 Thermo fluids 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's 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 on a daily basis.

About 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 contain:

• 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 brief research proposal and plan, maximum one page
• Name and address of three referees
• If you have publications or other relevant research work, these may be attached

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 Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, please attach this as well.

Women and candidates of minority background are especially encouraged to apply.

General information

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.

EPT has established EPT Women in Science. The group is focused on supporting female PhD Candidates, Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Assistants and permanent academic employees within the Department. This support aims to help develop the careers of female PhD Candidates, Postdocs and Research Assistants, and is also made visible to our student body to encourage them to consider an academic path. As part of the EPT Women in Science initiative we are building an international network, inviting prominent female academics within and beyond the field of Engineering to speak at our events.

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.

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. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Simen Ellingsen on email simen.ellingsen@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-consultant Renate Fjellheim on e-mail: renate.fjellheim@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: 01.09.2024

Further information

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe 1.1 European Research Council under Grant Agreement No 101045299.

WaTurSheD will run from 2023 until the end of 2027.

Read more about the project here.