PhD Candidate in Materials Physics - Advanced characterization of post-consumer scrap Al alloys  

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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

The PhD candidate will work on advanced characterization of aluminium alloys produced from post-consumer scrap within the RACE project. The research will focus on understanding microstructure–property relationships and corrosion mechanisms in high-scrap aluminium alloys for automotive applications. Key tasks include:

• Performing advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and complementary techniques (SEM, EBSD) to study grain boundaries, precipitate-free zones, and solute distribution.
• Developing and applying high-throughput data analysis methods for TEM experiments.
• Investigating corrosion initiation and propagation mechanisms and linking them to alloy composition and processing.
• Collaborating closely with SINTEF and industrial partners (Hydro and Benteler) to provide input for alloy design and processing strategies.

The work will be done at the Trondheim node of NORTEM/TEM Gemini Center. 

Starting date August or September 2026. Earlier or later starting date is also possible within reason but must be stated in the application.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The position is part of RACE – Recycled Aluminium Corrosion Engineering, an IPN project funded by the Norwegian Research Council. The project aims to develop next-generation aluminium alloys with superior corrosion resistance and high recycled content for automotive applications. Hydro Aluminium is the project owner, with Benteler Automotive Raufoss, SINTEF, and NTNU as partners.

RACE addresses critical challenges in using post-consumer scrap (PCS) in high-performance alloys by combining innovative alloy design, advanced thermomechanical processing, and state-of-the-art characterization. The project contributes to sustainability goals by reducing reliance on primary aluminium, lowering CO₂ emissions, and promoting circular economy principles. The PhD candidate will play a key role in WP3, focusing on microstructure–property correlations using advanced characterization techniques.

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 the TEM Gemini research group 
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Perform advanced TEM studies and microstructure studies of age-hardenable aluminum alloys made from post-consumer scrap 
• Develop analysis methods and high throughput data analysis of TEM experiments 
• Perform research in collaboration with industry in the RACE project

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

 

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Physics, Nanotechnology, Materials Science 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 students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than October 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 maybe 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.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English.
• Experience with experimental work within physics, nanotechnology or material science.
• Basic programming skills.

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 and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and 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

• Hands-on experience with electron microscopy, preferably transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
• Interest and experience in working with industrial problems.
• Experience/ knowledge within electrochemistry.
• Experience with programming and/or data processing in Python.
• 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, including industry 
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

 

• Training and access to state-of-the-art instruments at the TEM Gemini Centre /NORTEM Trondheim node 
• An exciting job in connection with SINTEF and Norwegian Aluminium Industry
• 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
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

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 physics 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 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 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 your master's degrees. If you are currently working on a master’s degree, include the preliminary transcript.
• If you have finished your master’s degree, include a copy of the master's thesis.
• If you will soon submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis.
• If you have not started writing your master’s thesis, include a copy of one other relevant work during your studies: bachelor thesis, specialization project, or other work.
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page).
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• 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 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, telephone +47 48170066, email randi.holmestad@ntnu.no. 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Magnus Gautvik HR, e-mail: magnus.gautvik@ntnu.no. 

Application deadline: 01.12.2025

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.