This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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

Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0

About the position

Do you want your research to influence both industry practice and European sustainability policy?

The Industrial Ecology Group (IndEcol) at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering at NTNU conducts research on sustainability transition, focusing on the interconnections between quality of life, economic activity, and environmental impacts, with the aim of supporting development within planetary boundaries.

Research activities focus on the development of quantitative models (including material flow analysis (MFA), life cycle analysis (LCA), multi-regional input-output (MRIO), and a variety of tools for collecting and visualizing data) and their use with stakeholders from industry and governments to inform strategies fora sustainable and resilient resource use. As a PhD student at IndEcol, you will be exposed to a thriving environment of people with a passion for a healthy and sustainable future.

Your supervisor will be Professor Daniel Müller.

About the project

This PhD position is part of an academic network working on ecodesign, an international research and training initiative. The network aims to advance ecodesign methodologies and manufacturing strategies that enable circular economy practices at industrial scale, in line with European sustainability and resource-efficiency policy objectives.

Circular economy strategies, including ecodesign, are becoming increasingly important not only for environmental reasons, but also for securing access to critical raw materials (CRMs). This is particularly relevant for batteries and electronics, which rely heavily on imported CRMs, creating vulnerabilities in supply chains and posing risks to European industries that are central to the transition toward carbon-neutral mobility. Circular strategies — including reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling — have the potential to improve resource efficiency, reduce emissions and import dependency, and strengthen supply-chain resilience. However, the development of robust domestic and circular supply chains is currently hindered by a range of technological, economic, social, and regulatory barriers. Addressing these challenges requires stronger coordination among companies and regulators to align business opportunities, infrastructure development, and policy frameworks. In this context, a robust understanding of industrial plants and supply chains as interconnected physical systems is essential for identifying inefficiencies across scales and for aligning regulations with sustainable and competitive business strategies.

The objective of this PhD project is to develop a multi-scale framework for improving the resource efficiency of critical materials used in batteries. The candidate will model the stocks and flows of selected critical raw materials within industrial plants, across value chains, and at the EU level using Material Flow Analysis (MFA). Scenarios will be used to identify potential bottlenecks, problem shifts, feedbacks, and delays for different intervention options with the aim to identify opportunities for enhancing resource efficiency and circularity at multiple scales, from individual facilities to broader industrial systems and the European Union. To ensure the scientific robustness and practical relevance of the research for both industry and policy makers, the PhD project includes two mandatory international secondments (2–3 months each).

Duties of the position

Complete the doctoral education to obtain a doctorate
Carry out research of high quality within the framework described above
Publish your work in academic journals and engage in popular science dissemination
Participate in the research group (Industrial Ecology)
Participate in events organized by the doctoral network
Attend conferences to present your research

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

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

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

Experience with Python programming is beneficial, but not essential.
Practical work experience in industrial companies and/or in government administrations is advantageous.
Experience with work on batteries and value chains would be a great advantage.
Knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is an asset but not required.

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

Work independently
Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position.

An exciting job with an important mission in society
Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
Support as a new employee at NTNU
Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to 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.

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) has established EPT Women in Science. The group is focused on supporting female Research Assistants, PhD Candidates, Postdoctoral Fellows and permanent academic employees within the Department. This support aims to helpdevelop the academic careers of female employees, and is also made visible to our student body, to encourage them to consider an academic path. As part of the EPT Women in Science initiative we continue to build on our international network, inviting prominent female academics within and beyond the field of Engineering to speak at our events.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

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

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

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 bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The network adheres to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, ensuring a transparent and fair selection process. We believe that ambitious research requires a variety of voices, and we view diversity as a core strength of our team.

To support our commitment to equity and meritocracy, please ensure you compile the “Summary Sheet” document (see bullet point list below) and include it as the first page of your motivation letter. In addition, avoid using your family name or first name in the Motivation Letter and when naming your files (e.g., Summary_Motivation.pdf).

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

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include:

Completed Summary sheet, followed by short (400 words / 1 page) motivation letter.
CV
Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently 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.
Any publications etc. other relevant research work
Names and contact information of three relevant 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, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also 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 work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and 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 applicant list, 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 think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Daniel Müller (+47 735 94 754/ daniel.mueller@ntnu.no

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please email hr@ept.ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 11.06.2026

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

The city of Trondheim is located on the Trondheim Fjord in mid-Norway. It is a modern Scandinavian city with a unique cultural scene. Trondheim has a growing and increasingly diverse population, currently of around 200 000, and is known as the tech capital of Norway. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools and kindergartens, is among the best of its kind in the world. Professional, subsidized wrap-around care for school children in grades 1-4 is easily available. There are two International Schools, and the public school system offers language support to international children whose families have relocated to Trondheim. Trondheim has low crime rates, clean air and water, and offers great opportunities for enjoying nature and culture.

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