PhD Fellow - the role of hydrogen in the green transition in the Norwegian Arctic Energy System

The position

A PhD position is available at the Department of Physcis and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, connected to UiT’s Arctic Centre for Sustainable Energy (ARC) and the HYDROGENi project, a Norwegian research and innovation centre for hydrogen and ammonia, where UiT is a partner. 

The position at the Department of Physics and Technology is for a period of four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % each year and will consist of teaching and other duties. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The position’s field of research

We are seeking highly motivated and qualified PhD students to join our interdisciplinary ARC research team whose overall ambition is to contribute to the realization of a fossil free energy system while utilizing energy infrastructure that is already in place. Hydrogen and ammonia hold the potential of becoming important parts of renewable energy systems as they can be used to store energy and to generate power. The position offers a unique opportunity to work together and contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at establishing comprehensive social, technical and regulatory frameworks for efficient, just and sustainable energy development. The successful candidates can play an important role in addressing challenges related to socio-technical transition, the formation of hydrogen hubs, grid-congestion, and the integration of novel technologies, including hydrogen as an energy carrier.

Qualifications

In the context descried above, we are in pursuit of an exceptionally driven individual with a profound knowledge base in Physics, Engineering, Energy Systems, or a similar discipline to become an integral part of our research collective. The optimal candidate will exhibit research competencies, encompassing the capability to execute thorough literature evaluations, dissect intricate datasets, and formulate strategies for the advancement of energy systems, with a pronounced emphasis on the innovation of (semi-)isolated arctic energy frameworks. 

Beyond the technical challenges, the candidate is expected to adeptly identify prevailing gaps and obstacles within existing research and policy landscapes, pioneering and validating novel methodologies geared towards the incorporation of hydrogen into energy systems. The ideal candite is required to demonstrate proficiency in engaging with multidisciplinary groups to scrutinize technical specifications and regulatory impediments in (semi-)isolated energy infrastructures, alongside conducting comprehensive investigations into nascent hydrogen technologies to determine their viability in augmenting sustainable energy ecosystems. 

Prerequisites for this position include:

• holding a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Physics, Engineering, Energy Systems, or a related area
• proven experience in energy systems evaluation, renewable resources, and sustainability principles,
• verified skills in performing critical literature surveys and data interpretation, 
• familiarity with methodological innovation, experimental design, and analytical scrutiny
• fluency in English. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma. Working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is also beneficial.

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who:

• Have good collaboration skills
• Have good communication and interaction with colleagues and students
• Wants to contribute to a good working environment

As many people as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

Admission to the PhD programme 

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the  Faculty of Science and Technology and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:  

• A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree, or an integrated master's degree.

UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

In order to gain admission to the programme, the applicant must have a grade point average of C or better for the master’s degree and for relevant subjects of the bachelor’s degree. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here. 

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from NOKUT. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. 

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position. 

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project 
• Good career opportunities 
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues  
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 532 200 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase
• If you have to relocate to Tromsø then the Faculty of Science and Technology may reimburse your moving costs. Further details regarding this matter will be made available if you receive an offer from us.

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

Application

Your application must include: 

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV
• Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
• Transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• References with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline. 

General information 

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants. 

The engagement is to be made in accordance with 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.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years. 

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure.