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 a step towards a doctorate and open exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of the Department.

About the project

The Department of Chemical Engineering has a clear strategy to contribute to the green shift and to fulfill UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and we provide academic research and research-based education to support the development of energy-efficient and sustainable process technology in Norway. The mission is to become a worldwide leader in hydrometallurgical processing to obtain critical raw materials towards sustainability.

The green shift is heavily dependent on access to critical raw materials (e.g., sodium, lithium, cobalt, manganese, rare earth elements, nickel and copper) for modern equipment and to supply food production (e.g., phosphate and ammonia). Sustainable mining provides critical raw materials from primary and secondary sources with environmental, technical, and economic feasibility. Although mining processing will continue to be done to support supply demand, recycling is required to decrease international dependence and reduce environmental impacts of mining.

The person filling this position will work on electrodialysis for separation of metals in battery recycling, including teaching and performing research collaborating with MSc students. This project will have an international collaboration with universities and battery and recycling industries.

The PhD position is for a period of three years. The desired starting date is as soon as possible, and no later than October/2026.

Duties of the position

•    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 international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
•    Conduct experiments in electrochemical separation of critical metals from secondary sources, mostly battery recycling.
•    Publish research results in internationally recognized scientific journals
•    Present research at national and international conferences
•    Participate actively in the research group and project activities
•    Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and interdisciplinary research environment

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

You must have a relevant Master's degree in Chemical Engineering with emphasis on electrodialysis for battery recycling. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than 01.10.2026.
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
Fluent oral and written presentation skills in English.
Experience in electrodialysis for battery recycling, mostly LFP.
Publications in recognized scientific journals.

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 in the synthesis of materials (e.g., zeolite, magnetic) for removal of ions (e.g., Hg, As, Pb) is desired.
•    Experience in laboratory work, mass and energy balance, and techno-economic assessment.
•    Experience and interest in circular chemical engineering, process system design, and value-chain evaluations.
•    Experience in academic projects with industries is desired.
•    Previous collaborations with projects involving industries.

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you can:
•    Work independently
•    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 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
•    Curiosity to bring new ideas
•    Work in collaboration with multidisciplinary team

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
Working capital that can be used to implement the project
Mentor programme 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.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,- per annum. 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 Chemical 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.

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 be in 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 Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or 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:

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 1500 words/4 pages)
Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page) explaining your experience in electrodialysis for battery recycling.
Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work (submitted papers will be considered as relevant)
Possibly certificates
Names and contact information of two 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 Amilton Barbosa Botelho Junior (Associate Professor), email amilton.b.b.junior@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Erle Linn Aunet (HR Consultant), email: erle.l.aunet@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 24.05.2026.

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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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