Researcher within Aluminium Casting and Materials Characterization

About the position

We have a vacancy for a Researcher at Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Reduction of CO2 emissions by increasing electrification is one of the most important trends in the automotive industries. During the transition towards lower-emission vehicles, the aluminium (Al) content in each vehicle is increasing significantly. Components based on high-pressure die casting (HPDC) of Al foundry alloys is becoming particularly important. As one of the largest foundry alloy producers in Europe, Hydro Aluminium, together with Elkem (a world-leading Si producer), Stena (a Norwegian recycling company) and Nemak (a world-leading automotive component producer), in collaboration with R&D partners NTNU and SINTEF, has started an innovation project to develop HPDC alloys with low CO2 footprint and superior mechanical properties towards automotive light-weighting and electrification. This project is financed by the Researh Council of Norway.

Within this project, a 20-month termporary researcher will be hired at NTNU. The candidate will be working as a part of a larger research group composed of researchers from universities, research institutes and industrial partners. The major focus of the researcher project is to study the microstructure and mechanical properties of high pressure die casting (HPDC) aluminium alloys used for automotive components. Advanced characterization instrument like SEM, FIB, TEM, EBSD and EDX will be applied. At the same time, some lab-scale casting and solidification experiments as well as thermodynamic calculations of phase diagrams and solidification pathes by using ThermoCalc will be done.

Duties of the position

• Perform theoretical and experimental work related to the project tasks.
• Support other researchers and MSc students working in the projects.
• Contribute to project meetings, workshops, seminars etc.
• Conduct academic writing and publish project results in acknowledged peer-reviewed journals.

Required selection criteria

• The candidate must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD. You must have a professionally relevant background within Materials Science and Engineering or Physical metallurgy
• Good written and oral English

Preferred selection criteria

• Documented hands-on experience in operation of SEM, EBSD, FIB, EDX and TEM.
• Research experience on microstructure and mechanical properties of metallic alloys
• Ability to conduct high quality research and publish results in acknowledged peer-reviewed journals.
• Norwegian language skills will be beneficial.

Personal characteristics

• Creative, with a strong ability to work goal-oriented and independently.
• Good skills to deliver oral and written presentations of research results.
• He/she should also enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in working in project teams.

We offer

Salary and conditions

The gross salary for the position of Researcher (code 1109) is remunerated depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

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.

The selected candidate must be able to start the position by the end of December 2022.

The position is subject to external funding.

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

About the application

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

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.  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:

• A cover letter (including motivation and why you think you are the right person for this position)
• CV including list of publications and information pertaining to the given qualifications
• Certificate of completed PhD degree (if already obtained)
• The required documentation of English language proficiency
• Names and contact information of at least three references

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.  

In the assessment of the best qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA.  This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

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.  

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 Yanjun Li, telephone  +47 98283973, email [email protected] .  

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. 

Please refer to application number NVD-284/22.

Application deadline: 22.09.2022

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 Materials Science and Engineering  

We are Norway’s leading educational and research environment in materials engineering, materials chemistry and materials science.  In collaboration with business and industry, we are a driving force for the development of innovative materials as well as new applications and manufacturing processes.  Activities in our disciplines are vital for the green shift. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering  is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences .

Deadline 22nd September 2022
Employer NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service