About the position

The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences, and Maritime Sciences has a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow position in “Hydrogen storage for maritime and industrial sector.”

The position is organized under the Department of Process, Energy, and Environmental Technology and reports to the Head of the Department. The Ph.D. research Fellow will be working in the research group for Process Safety, Combustion, and Explosions. The place of employment is at our campus in Porsgrunn.

The PhD position is a full-time position, and the employment period is three years. A premise for employment is that the PhD Research Fellow will be enrolled in USN's PhD-program in Technology within three months after accession.

About the PhD-project

The PhD-project will focus on the development and safety assessment of hydrogen storage systems, with a particular emphasis on solid-state storage using magnesium hydride (MgH₂). The primary research objective is to address the critical challenge of heat management during hydrogen absorption and desorption processes in MgH₂-based storage tanks. Efficient thermal control is essential to ensure system performance, safety, and scalability.

The project may involve both experimental investigations and numerical simulations, depending on the candidate’s background and the evolving needs of the research. Experimental work could include the design, construction, and testing of prototype storage systems, while simulation efforts may focus on thermal modelling, system optimization, and safety analysis.

Qualifications

We are seeking a motivated candidate with a strong academic background and a keen interest in hydrogen technologies and energy systems.

Applicants to the PhD position must have a master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent higher education qualifications in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Technology or Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering. The MSc. degree must be accomplished within July 2025.

The candidate should have a solid understanding of thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and energy conversion processes.

It is a requirement that the successful applicant is granted admission to the university’s doctoral program in Technology. According to the formal Ph.D. regulations, an average grade B or better from the master's degree, in addition to a grade B or better of the final master thesis, is required.

In addition to formal qualifications, the emphasis will be on the following qualifications:

familiarity with hydrogen storage technologies, particularly solid-state storage systems such as metal hydrides (e.g., MgH₂)
experience with experimental laboratory work, including instrumentation, thermal measurements, and safety procedures
skills in numerical modeling and simulation tools (e.g., OpenFoam, MATLAB, Python)
background in process safety, thermal system design, or energy storage is considered an advantage
skills in technical writing, scientific publications and presentations
a good command of English language, oral and in writing

Personal characteristics

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

work independently, but also participate in teamwork
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
have the professional and personal qualifications to complete the doctoral education within the employment period

Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

Documentation of skills in English language

Strong communication skills in English language skills are required for participation in the doctoral program. International applicants must document this with a valid certificate from one of the following tests:

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90
IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5
Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) eller Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from Cambridge University
PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62

The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements:

applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States
applicants with a completed master's degree with English as the language of instruction in an EU/EEA country

We offer

a stimulating and active research environment
good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
access to well-equipped laboratory facilities
access to a large international research network
access to a unique industry network.
a good social environment and partner in a unique research team
attractive welfare benefits in the State Pension Plan
opportunity for physical activities within working hours
a location offering many opportunities for outdoor activities nearby;
Skagerrak coast with its clear, blue sea and mountain plateau of Hardangervidda

Salary

PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 550 800 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position.

A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.

Other information

The Academic Appointments Board for PhD Research Fellowships is responsible for the appointment. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out[1]. The candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to an interview.

The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that approved work permit is a prerequisite for the employment.

According to its human resources policy, the University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons with a background as an immigrant.

The University contributes to the Inkluderingsdugnaden (a voluntary scheme to promote inclusion), and it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities to apply for the post. The University will facilitate the workplace for employees with disabilities.

Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.

License or security clearance requirements

Employment in this position requires a license under the Export Control Act and the Export Control Regulations. Applicants must therefore state their citizenship and the citizenship of any spouse/partner in the application. Citizenship must also be documented, for example by attaching a copy of their passport.

Applicants who hold citizenship in countries that make it likely that a license will not be granted, may be excluded from the further application process. The same applies to applicants who have a spouse/partner with citizenship in such countries, or where it is likely that a license will not be granted for other reasons.

Contact information

For more information about the position, please contact:

Associate Professor Agnieszka Weronika Lach, agnieszka.lach@usn.no, phone + 47 31 00 98 27.
Professor Lars Erik Øi, Head of Department of Process, Energy and Environmental Technology, lars.oi@usn.no Phone: +47 35 57 51 41.

How to apply

The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link “Søk stillingen”/Apply for the post.

The following documents shall be attached to the online application:

Transcripts and diplomas of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS). The diplomas must be in a Scandinavian language or translated to English.
Other relevant certificates (if applicable, must be specified).
A one-page motivation letter in addition to cover letter. Specify why you are interested in this position and explain what makes the Ph.D. project appealing to you.
Documentation of English proficiency.
Any scientific publications and a list of these.
Three references (contact information).

Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified.

If your higher education is from a university outside of Norway, we require it to be recognized by the Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education and Skills. You must apply for the recognition before the application deadline for this position expires. Add a receipt on your application or recognition when applying. The recognition must be sent to us and is a requirement for being hired.

Employment in this position requires a license under the Export Control Act and the Export Control Regulations. Applicants must therefore state their citizenship and the citizenship of any spouse/partner in the application. Citizenship must also be documented, for example by attaching a copy of their passport.

Applicants who hold citizenship in countries that make it likely that a license will not be granted, may be excluded from the further application process. The same applies to applicants who have a spouse/partner with citizenship in such countries, or where it is likely that a license will not be granted for other reasons.

The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline.

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.arter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.

About us

The University of Southeastern Norway (USN) ranks as the country's fourth largest higher education institution. We are a vibrant community of approximately 18,000 students and 1,900 employees.

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