Postdoctoral Fellow in Electrical Power Engineering – Fault detection in hydropower generators

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About the position

Are you ready to take your research career to the next level? Are you interested in advancing environmentally friendly hydropower technology having a strong competence in electric machinery and electromagnetics? In our new research center for hydropower (FME RenewHydro), the Department of Electric Energy (IEL) at NTNU offers an exciting 3-year postdoctoral position that gives you the opportunity to develop a strong profile as a researcher. You will also gain valuable experience that might be relevant to your future career. The purpose of a postdoctoral position is for the employee to build up a researcher profile and competence that qualifies the person to apply for a position as associate professor. The position may also provide other competence with relevance for the postdoctoral fellow's further career. Become part of our research group Electrical Machines and Electromagnetics (EME) at IEL and take the next step in your career with us, where you'll be part of an open, inclusive, and collaborative working environment. 

Our working environment is characterized by its friendly and supportive atmosphere, with regular gatherings such as professional meetings within the research group, weekly research colloquia, shared lunches, and “Friday coffee” sessions to conclude the week. These formal and informal gatherings provide opportunities to exchange ideas, celebrate milestones, and strengthen connections.

Your immediate Line Manager will be the Head of Department.

About the project 

FME RenewHydro

FME stands for Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research and FME RenewHydro is a new research center for environmentally friendly energy developing hydropower to be more flexible and contributing to more sustainable renewable energy. With increased cooperation and new knowledge in technology, markets, environment and society, the research center RenewHydro will work to reach national energy, climate and nature targets. 

In RenewHydro, researchers in the fields of technology, biology, economics, society and climate will collaborate with experts from the hydropower industry and public administration to solve key challenges in the energy field, develop solutions for a low-emission society and strengthen the business community's ability to innovate. 

In addition to technology for the hydropower plants themselves, the researchers will look at, among other things, security of supply, how climate effects change hydropower, how the power can and will develop, and how hydropower can take into account the environment in rivers and reservoirs in the form of nature-based solutions. 

We face major challenges in the future. Climate change will affect the whole society, including hydropower and nature. In RenewHydro, we will therefore focus much more on the major connections with biological diversity, sustainability and land use. 

NTNU will lead the center and the main research partners are the Norwegian School of Business NHH, the Norwegian Institute for Natural Research - NINA and SINTEF Energi. Centre duration is from 2025 till end of 2032. See here for more information.

About the project

Hydropower machines in Norway has traditionally been designed and operated as base load suppliers. New operating schemes in different type of power markets, makes the loading of the machines different from the past. The operation is more intermittent and closer to design capabilities combined with a goal to reduce maintenance and operational costs.

Thus cheap, precise and early detection of faults becomes more important. The research is in-part a continuation of on-going research on fault detection and identification using electromagnetic signatures. Through previous research efforts, several mechanical and electrical failures in the rotor have been detected. A detector system with signal processing software is under development and testing. The research is on the international forefront.

In the continued research effort, other mechanical and electrical faults are targeted. This includes stator faults such as stator winding short circuits. The postdoc research fellow is expected to be able to utilize FEM numerical models combined with signal processing and pattern recognition to identify targeted faults. The research uses laboratory and field (power station) testing extensively.

As mentioned above, you will be a part of the research group Electrical Machines and Electromagnetics (EME) at IEL, where you are expected to take an active role in the group and participate in activities such as colloquia and contribute to, among other things, teaching, supervision, and mentoring of master students.

The main supervisor will be Professor Arne Nysveen (IEL). Co-supervisor will be Dr. Hossein Ehya (AIMSES). 

Duties of the position

• Literature review on advanced low-cost sensors applicable for monitoring the health of stator winding, core rotor.
• Modelling and simulation of fault signals and detection using various sensors.
• Experimental verification in the laboratory and field (power station).
• Participate in activities of the research group Electrical Machines and Electromagnetics (EME).
• Academic publications and dissemination. Researchers in RenewHydro are expected to contribute regularly to internal and external seminars with research partners and sponsors.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational/research institutions. 
• Career-promoting work includes but is not limited to, lecturing, supervision, and contribution to the preparation of research project applications. This may also involve mentoring students, assisting them with their research projects, and advising on methodology and academic writing. The employer determines the content and distribution of career-enhancing work during the employment period in consultation with the doctoral research fellow and supervisor.

 

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a doctoral degree in electric power engineering with a focus on electric machinery design or modeling.
• Applicants who are in the final phase of their doctorate are eligible to apply, but it is preferred that you document that the thesis has been submitted or that the defense date has been confirmed. NOTE: Documentation of the obtained doctorate must be presented before you can take up the position. 
• You must have Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish language skills corresponding to the scale A2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). If you cannot document those skills upon employment, you must take Norwegian courses corresponding to at least 15 credits before the end of the employment period. NTNU will facilitate this, and the Norwegian training will be part of the career-enhancement work.   
• You must have English language skills, both written and spoken, corresponding to the scale B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside EU/EEA/Switzerland must provide preliminary documentation of English language proficiency, in terms of an approved test. One of the following test scores could be documented for this purpose: 
  • TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) - Score equivalent to the B2 level: 79 - 101. 
  • IELTS - Score equivalent to the B2 level: 5.5 - 6.0.
  • Cambridge English - Score equivalent to the B2 level: 160 - 179.

Further 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.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations for the Universities and Colleges Act (university and colleges regulations) and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position. 

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge of numerical analysis of electromagnetics or electric machines. 
• Knowledge of the design of electrical machines. 
• Work experience with operation or maintenance of (preferably) large machines.
• English language skills, both written and spoken, corresponding to the scale C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). See which scores are equivalent to the C1 level here.

Personal characteristics

Working as a Postdoctoral fellow requires that you

• Work independently and structured, set goals, and make plans to achieve them 
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals 
• Engage and contribute constructively with feedback 
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity   
• Show curiosity and have a strong motivation for the subject and have interest and commitment to teaching and supervision of students  
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives, and draw well-founded conclusions   
• Flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project if needed 

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer 

• An exciting job with an important social mission
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment 
• Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program and together with you we will prepare a career plan, which contains the skills and knowledge you will acquire
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues 
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU 
• Training during working hours and company sports teams 
• Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Employee benefits

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 594 500 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, where 1 year is earmarked for career-enhancement work. 

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them. 

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution at campus Trondheim on a daily basis.

The position is conditional on funding.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed. 

Please note that the person hired will work with critical infrastructure and areas affected by controls on the export of strategic goods, services and technology. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for the necessary security clearance, access clearance and authorization as described in the National Security Act, the Export Control Act and the Act on the Implementation of International Sanctions (Sanctions Act) cannot be considered (e.g., candidates from, among others, Russia, Iran, North Korea, China). Relevant countries are listed as examples and as such the list is not exhaustive (as a result of any changes in the world situation, other countries may be added at short notice).

About the application 

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. 

Please note: The application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above.

The application must include:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes personal motivation, summarizing scientific work, and how the applicant sees her/his background as suitable (400 words/1 page).
• Research plan containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project, and progress plan (maximum 1500 words/4 pages, including references). This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project.
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-, Master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• CV.
• If you have testimonials of work experience, submit them.
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you are encouraged to attach a draft of the thesis. 
• Academic works - published or unpublished (up to 5 items).
• English language proficiency documentation.
• Name and contact information of three referees.

If all or parts of your education havs been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), 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.

If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Arne Nysveen by phone +47 73 59 42 63 or by e-mail at arne.nysveen@ntnu.no. 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Sven Robert Storø by e-mail at sven.r.storo@ntnu.no.

If you find this position interesting, and in accordance 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: 22.04.2025

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech 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.