PhD Candidate in traffic induced bridge dynamics

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You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

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About the job

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

The concrete group together with the structural mechanics group, is searching for motivated candidates for a PhD position in the field of bridge dynamics.

The goal of this doctoral position is to study the Dynamic Amplification Factor (DAF) and propose a methodology to calibrate it for existing bridges. DAF is used to quantify the dynamic effects in bridges subjected to traffic loads. During this research position, the PhD candidate will develop tools to simulate the passage of vehicles over bridges. For this task the candidate should have good programming skills and thorough understanding of structural dynamics theory. Then, the measurements from an experimental campaign will be used to validate and refine the numerical model of an existing bridge. The simulation tool will then be used to study different loading scenarios, bridge conditions and traffic configurations. The result should be a validated methodology to obtain revised DAF values.

This research project is part of an international research collaboration. The candidate will work and collaborate with another candidate and supervisors based at Chalmers University (Sweden).

The outcomes of this research are highly relevant for road authorities in general, and in particular for the Norwegian Public Roads Authority (NPRA); which is funding this position. The tools, methodology and results will help bridge owners to perform improved structural assessments of existing bridges. Any improvement in existing methodologies have the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the road network maintenance.

Your immediate leader is Associate Professor Daniel Cantero. You will work also together with Prof. Ole Øiseth. 

Duties of the position

• Develop a tool to simulate vehicle-bridge interaction, with Abaqus software supported by Python scripting
• Create numerical models of existing bridges and validate them with measurements
• Create numerical models of heavy trucks and validate them with measurements
• Systematic investigations to obtain characteristic traffic loading conditions for bridge design and assessment
• Review of existing bridge assessment practices, with focus on traffic loading 
• Write reports, conference publications and journal articles to disseminate the results and proposed methodology.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar.
• 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.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program
• Good written and oral English language skills.

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 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

• Demonstrated knowledge of structural dynamics
• Good programming skills
• Experience programming with Python
• Experience using Finite Element Software
• Knowledge of any Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish or Danish)

Personal characteristics

 

• Motivated and interested in research
• Able to work effectively, both individually and in a team
• Structured and thorough
• Excellent communication skills

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

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 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 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 position is subject to external funding (Norwegian Public Roads Authority).

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.

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 and certificates 
• 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.
• Motivation letter
• Name and contact information of at least two 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 Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, 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.

General information

Working at NTNU

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. 

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

If you have any questions about the position, please contact associate professor Daniel Cantero, email daniel.cantero@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant June Hovde, e-mail: june.b.hovde@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: 05.01.2024