About the job

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions.

The Department of Marine Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a post-doctoral fellow to join the Marine Machinery group. The main topic of the post doc is to examine the ignition and combustion of zero-carbon fuels experimentally and numerically for heavy duty internal combustion engines. The post doc is part of the Hi-EFECTS project, a Nordic Energy Research project and will include close collaboration with project partners at Aalto, Lund and World Maritime universities.

The marine sector is examining which technologies and energy carriers should be invested in to achieve the greenhouse gas emission targets set by the IMO.  There are a number of options currently being examined, including batteries, zero carbon green fuels, synthetic fuels, and biofuels. The large variety of vessel types in the marine sector means that one technology is unlikely to be applicable to all. For some vessels batteries seem like a sensible option but for larger, long-range vessels, it is likely that the internal combustion engine (ICE) will be used for many years into the future. Therefore, it is critical that zero carbon fuels with favourable operational and emissions characteristics must be used. Ammonia and methanol are such fuels. 

These fuels do not readily ignite in the engine, and some form of ignition enhancement is required. This post doctor position will examine the use of these fuels with dual fuelling and ignition improvers with the aim to achieve net zero GHG emissions. The work at NTNU will be mainly experimental with elements of numerical work. Overall, the project will use a mixture of engine testing, combustion chamber testing with high speed optical techniques, CFD, chemical kinetics and environmental impact assessment. The results gained at NTNU will support project partners and the collaborative nature of the project is to be maximized.

Work at NTNU will manly involve operation of a constant volume combustion chamber with new fuel injection systems and testing high speed optical measurement techniques. The successful candidate will be working with several different research groups, using expertise in combustion, experimental techniques and some CFD.  Hence the project needs a candidate with a wide set of skills and interests with a desire to build a diverse portfolio of skills.

The position is under the supervision of Associate Professor.

Duties of the position

• Working with current researchers (using existing models) conduct a numerical examination of ammonia/methanol and high cetane fuel spray interaction to guide placement in future experimental work. 
• Complete the commissioning of a constant volume combustion chamber for zero carbon fuel testing.
• Conduct a detailed experimental examination of the fundamentals of ignition and combustion of ammonia and methanol with higher cetane fuels and with ignition improver blended. 

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in either mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physics or chemistry.
• If you can document that the PhD thesis has been submitted, your application can be assessed even if you have not yet defended your dissertation. Documentation of the obtained doctoral degree must be presented before you can take up the position. 
• You must have extensive combustion laboratory experience, preferably with high speed imaging.
• Experience with some form of numerical modelling (chemistry, physics, combustion). This is general, detailed knowledge of one particular methodology or software is not required.
• Good written and oral English language skills, including academic writing.
• Able demonstrate in the application previous experience of working with a team of fellow researchers in a lab environment.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Ph.D Candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate.

Preferred selection criteria

• Programming skills in MATLAB, Python, LabView or similar.
• Basic experience with some form of computational flid dynamics.
• Basic skills in combustion simulation (Cantera or similar).

Personal characteristics

• Good communication skills, written and oral.
• Positive attitude and confidence in working independently and in teams.
• Able to communicate well with academic staff and technical support staff.
• Appreciation of safe working practises.

Motivation for fundamental scientific research of practical relevance is essential, with an interest in experimental and empirical methods. 

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, 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 

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 2 years.

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.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

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 applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.  

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result. 

The application must include: 

• CV and certificates 
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your Ph.D, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, or have recently submitted your thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 items)
• Name and contact information of three referees

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. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, 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. 

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 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.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality.

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 David Emberson, telephone +4798152966, email david.emberson@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Marit Gjersvold, e-mail: marit.gjersvold@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: 18.06.24 

NTNU

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Marine Technology

We develop methods and technology related to the blue economy: oil and gas extraction at sea, ship technology and the equipment industry, fisheries and aquaculture. We also have a strong commitment to the development of sustainable solutions for offshore renewable energy, coastal infrastructure, and marine robotics. Marine technology helps to solve major global challenges related to the environment, climate, energy, food and efficient transport. The Department of Marine Technology is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering

Deadline 18th June 2024
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Jonsvannsveien 82, 7050 Trondheim