PhD Candidate in Materials Physics

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About the position

Studies of the microstructural origin of ductility in recycled aluminium alloys 

The position is a 3-year doctoral research fellowship starting in the autumn of 2027. The PhD candidate will be a part of the TEM Gemini Centre,  and the characterization activities in SFI FAST, working in close collaboration with project partners from NTNU and SINTEF, and with leading Norwegian and international industrial partners in the aluminium value chain.

The PhD candidate will investigate how microstructural constituents influence plastic deformation, strain localisation and ductile fracture in recycled aluminium alloys. The project aims to establish a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms governing ductility in alloys produced with increasing amounts of post-consumer scrap, where complex microstructures arise from variations in alloy chemistry, thermomechanical processing and impurity content.

The research will combine advanced electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical testing to characterise microstructural features across multiple length scales, including precipitates, precipitate-free zones, grain boundaries, constituent particles and deformation-induced defect structures. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding how these microstructural constituents interact during deformation and how they affect strain localisation, damage evolution and fracture.

The project builds on previous work performed within the TEM Gemini Centre and SFI FAST and will be carried out in close collaboration with researchers in materials physics and solid mechanics at NTNU and SINTEF. The PhD candidate will work closely with experts in advanced microscopy, deformation experiments and microstructure-based modelling, contributing to the development of future recycled aluminium alloys with improved mechanical performance.

The starting date is August or September 2027. Requests for an earlier or later starting date may be considered and must be stated in the application.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up 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 Department.

About SFI FAST – Future Aluminium Structures 

SFI FAST (Future Aluminium Structures) is a national Centre for Research-based Innovation (SFI) funded by the Research Council of Norway and the aluminium industry. The centre is led by NTNU in close collaboration with SINTEF and a broad consortium of 15 leading industrial partners across the aluminium value chain. SFI FAST runs from 2026 to 2033 and represents one of Norway’s most ambitious long-term research initiatives within aluminium materials, manufacturing technologies, and circular economy. 

The primary objective of SFI FAST is to establish the scientific and technological knowledge base required to enable the large-scale use of post-consumer scrap (PCS) aluminium in high-value, structural, and safety-critical products. FAST adopts a through-scale and through-process research methodology, integrating materials science, manufacturing processes, product and structural design, and lifecycle performance. 

A key outcome of SFI FAST is the development of the FAST Virtual Lab, a digital framework combining experimental data, physics-based models, and data-driven methods to support design, manufacturing, and decision-making across aluminium value chains. 

Education and competence building are central pillars of FAST. The centre will educate more than 18 PhD and postdoctoral researchers and over 100 MSc students, strengthening Norway’s international position in aluminium research and innovation. 5 PhD students started in 2026.

Please see the centre’s website: Future Aluminium Structures (FAST) - NTNU

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate degree
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Conduct and publish high-level research in peer-reviewed journals
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Contribute to popular science dissemination
• Participate in the TEM Gemini Centre and SFI FAST research groups 
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Investigate how microstructural constituents such as precipitates, precipitate-free zones, grain boundaries and constituent particles influence deformation, strain localisation and ductility in recycled aluminium alloys.
• Plan and perform advanced microstructural characterisation using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and related techniques, including TEM, STEM, SEM, EBSD and diffraction-based methods.
• Correlate microstructure with mechanical behaviour through quantitative analysis and close interaction with modelling activities in collaboration with researchers in solid mechanics and fracture modelling.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Physics, Nanotechnology, Materials Science or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis
• Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than September 2027. 
• You must have a strong and relevant 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 academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English
• Experience with experimental work within physics, nanotechnology or material science.
• Basic programming skills.
• The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Hands-on experience with materials characterisation using electron microscopy techniques, preferably (S)TEM and/or SEM/EBSD.
• Interest in microstructure-property relationships, deformation mechanisms and mechanical behaviour of metallic materials.
• Interest and experience in working with industrial problems.
• Experience with image analysis, programming or quantitative data processing (in Python) is an advantage.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian.

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
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• 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

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• Participation in a new innovative research centre, in an international work environment involving SINTEF and key industrial European partners in the aluminium value chain.
• Collaboration with leading experts in advanced material science, addressing highly relevant industrial and societal challenges for European industries.
• Training and access to state-of-the-art instruments at the TEM Gemini Centre /NORTEM Trondheim node.
• 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.

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 580 000,- per annum. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Physics within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout 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:

• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• If you have finished your master’s degree, include a copy of the master's thesis. 
• If you have recently submitted, or not yet 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.
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• 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 fromNorwegian 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 Randi Holmestad, email randi.holmestad@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Anja Isaksen, e-mail: anja.t.isaksen@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 01.12.2026

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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.