Postdoctoral Fellow in Degradation in Solid Insulation Systems under Pulsed Repetitive High Voltage

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About the position

The Department of Electric Energy (IEL) at NTNU has a vacancy for a full-time 100% position as a Postdoctor Fellow within the field of degradation and breakdown in solid insulation systems under power electronics converter stresses. 

During the last decades power electronic converters (PECs) have been introduced to control and transform electric power - and permeate society for numerous applications: zero-emission transport, renewable energy, and transmission. The PEC is a key technology to succeed with electrification of society and reach the climate goals set out by EU and UN. 

PECs function as on/off switches, resulting in sharp-edged square wave voltages with high repetition rate. These sharp voltage flanks introduce different stress distributions internally in components and can induce or accelerate degradation and lead to premature breakdown. The SwoP (Impact of switched voltage waveforms on power components and grids) project will develop methods to measure, characterize and predict the increased stresses and accelerated degradation on power components exposed to fast PECs. Failure modes in electrical insulation will typically be partial discharges (PD), i.e., small local sparks that degrade insulation, and dielectric heating. PD measurements are feasible for quality assurance and factory assessment testing, as it identifies potential defects. However, there is no good documentation of correlation between PD level and life expectancy. Performing ageing studies along with diagnostics (e.g., PD and dielectric spectroscopy) gives insight in the relevance and information that could be derived from PD measurement. This should be combined with analysis of the mechanical and chemical material deterioration that leads to decreased electric withstand strength. To manufacture novel and lightweight insulation systems for electric propulsion and renewable energy generation, knowledge is thus needed on degradation mechanisms and suitable insulation materials under PEC stresses. 

The work of this project will be associated with the project SwoP, which is a collaborative project involving NTNU, SINTEF Energy Research, University of Bologna (UniBo) and several national and international industry partners. The PhD Candidate will be employed at NTNU, and the workplace will be in Trondheim, in connection with this research project, with exchange to the University of Bologna for one year. The prospective candidate will be part of a project team that works in close collaboration with SINTEF, UniBo and industry partners. 

The main supervisor will be Professor Kaveh Niayesh (NTNU) and the co-supervisors will be Prof. Andrea Cavallini (UniBo) and Dr. Espen Eberg (SINTEF Energy Research). 

The main workplace will be in Trondheim. 

Your immediate leader is Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• Develop methods to measure, characterize and predict the increased stresses and accelerated degradation on power components exposed to fast PECs. Perform ageing studies and apply appropriate diagnostics methods. 
• The results of the project are expected to be published in high-quality scientific journals and presented at conferences and for research partners as well as for user partners within the project.

Required selection criteria

• A Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in Electric Power Engineering, Physics, Material Science, or Electrical Engineering. Applicants with a doctoral degree will be prioritized in the selection process.
• Work and/or research experience in high voltage engineering and/or power electronics. 
• You must have very good English language skills, both written and spoken, corresponding minimum to the scale B2, preferably C1, in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside EU/EEA/Switzerland must provide preliminary documentation of English language proficiency, in terms of an approved test. One of the following test scores could be documented for this purpose: 
  • TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) — iBT enhanced score reporting is required. Your proficiency level for the overall test should correspond to a score in the range 101 - 79. Your proficiency level for each test section should correspond to at least ‘high intermediate’ level. 
  • IELTS — 7, with no section lower than 6.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted) 
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) — 185 - 176.

Further assessment of both written and oral English language skills, and the ability to communicate fluently, will be conducted in the continued selection process and during any interviews for the shortlisted applicants.

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

If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations concerning the degrees of philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

Experience with running and building lab setups could be beneficial.

Personal characteristics

• Inquisitive, self-motivated and self-driven with a strong ability to work both independently, and in cooperation with others when required. 
• Communicates information with clarity and ease, both orally and in writing. 
• Structured, targeted and solution-oriented. 
• Creativity and innovation in research. 
• Scientific mindset.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer 

• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment 
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues 
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

As a Postdoctoral Fellow 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.

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

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 604 900,- per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years, with the final year dedicated to required duties at NTNU. 

The position is partly subject to external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to 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 application and supporting documentation 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:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes personal motivation and relevance with respect to the requirements of this advertisement (1 page maximum).
• Project outline containing proposals for an overall description of relevant research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project, and progress plan (at least 5 pages). This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project.
• CV, testimonials, and certificates.
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis/doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting or have recently submitted your master/doctoral thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master’s/doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position. 
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 items).
• English language proficiency documentation.
• Name and contact information of three references.

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. Description of the documentation required can 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 works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in 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 list of applicants, 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 have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Kaveh Niayesh, email kaveh.niayesh@ntnu.no.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Terese Olausson, e-mail: terese.olausson@ntnu.no.

If you find this position interesting, and in accordance 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.

Application deadline: 20.11.2025

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.