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

Are you motivated to take this challenge and open exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctoral degree, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia. This project has strong links with industry allowing you to provide with solutions to real challenges with market potential.

We are looking for a chemist (or equivalent background) willing to work on applied research. We are looking for candidates with a background in one or ideally more of these areas: chemical synthesis (organic or polymer chemistry), graphene chemistry, advanced materials characterization (XRD, TGA, STEM, SEM, FTIR, particle size distribution, AFM), experimental physics, chemical engineering, materials science.

You will be employed at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, at the Materials and Manufacturing group.

About the project

Incorporating functionalized graphene structures as lubricant additives represent a cutting-edge advancement with the potential to revolutionize lubrication efficiency and at the same time to achieve stable and homogeneous dispersion of 2-D materials in liquid lubricants. However, functionalizing graphene materials is not an easy task, especially if upscaling the method for large production volumes is considered. Several methods and functionalities are employed to improve the dispersibility of graphene-based additives and other carbon nanostructures in lubricants. These methods revolve around surface functionalization strategies that enhance dispersion stability and prevent agglomeration. We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate that can help us to provide with a functionalization method for graphene materials to our industrial partners, and that welcome challenges with open arms.

Your supervisor will be Professor Nuria Espallargas.

Duties of the position

Functionalize graphene materials to make them suitable as lubricant additives using the methods proposed by the project or your own methods adjusting them to the needs of the project
Post processing of the materials produced to characterize the functionalized particles
Perform advanced characterization of the materials produced by SEM, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, DRS, BET, TGA-DSC, STEM, AFM, etc.
Organic and/or polymer synthesis
Be part of an industrial project consortium
Conduct independent research
Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
Academic publications and popular science dissemination
Participate in the research group [name] (link)
Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

You must have an academically relevant background within chemistry, chemical engineering, experimental physics or materials science
You must have a Master's degree in chemistry or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered 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 Programme
Hands-on experience in the field of organic/polymer synthesis from his/her master thesis
Hands-on experience in one or more of these characterization techniques: SEM, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, DRS, BET, TGA-DSC, STEM, AFM, QCM, ellipsometry, SFA, etc.
Excellent written and oral English skills

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

As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01.08.2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate

Preferred selection criteria

Norwegian language skills
Hands-on experimental work with graphene materials
The candidate has experience with advanced AFM (preferably in liquids) or other relevant nano-characterization techniques for graphene materials
Hands-on experience in one or more of these characterization techniques with focus on graphene materials: SEM, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, DRS, BET, TGA-DSC, STEM, AFM, QCM, ellipsometry, SFA, etc.

Personal characteristics

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

Work independently
Be able to work both in a research team as well as carry out personal research projects
Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
Present and discuss your research with other professionals
Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed
Highly motivated, with enthusiasm for experimental research
Interest in interacting with industry
Good team building and teamwork skills

In the evaluation of the best qualified candidate, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities.

We offer

An exciting job with an important mission in society
Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts.

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

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 536 200,- 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 throughout 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 academic 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 withthe principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control(legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technologyand 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 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 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 The application must include:

Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
CV
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.
Project outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project and progress plan (maximum 750 words/2 pages)
Short letter of motivation (200 words/half page)
Possibly 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 works 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 Nuria Espallargas, e-mail: nuria.espallargas@ntnu.no.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Hedda Winnberg, e-mail: hedda.winnberg@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 23.05.2025

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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.

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