PhD Candidate in Development of Aluminium Batteries for Stationary Energy Storage

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About the position

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (IMA) at the Natural Science Faculty, has a vacancy for a position as PhD candidate related to development of an emerging battery technology based on aluminium anodes and carbon cathodes. The PhD project is affiliated to the strategic research area TSO Energy at NTNU. The candidate will be part of a PhD pool devoted to various aspects of renewable energy technology. The overall aim of the PhD project is to evaluate selected material qualities (aluminium alloys, carbons, solvents and current collectors) with respect to applicability in aluminium carbon batteries, by combining electrochemical techniques and advanced materials characterization (post mortem or operando). The PhD project also includes evaluation of sustainability, scaleability, and adaptability to stationary storage for designed cells. This position is funded by NTNU’s strategic research area on Energy. Additional opportunities linked to this initiative can be found at https://www.ntnu.edu/energy/announcements.

The main supervisor of the candidate will be Prof. Ann Mari Svensson (IMA), NTNU.  In addition, co-supervisors will be appointed, from the Industrial Ecology Group, Faculty of Engineering (Prof. Anders Strømman), Sustainable Electrical Energy Group, Information Technology and Electrical Engineering Faculty (Steve Völler), Department of Architecture and Technology (Prof. Arild Gustavsen)

About the project

The PhD project is related to development of a new battery technology, based on aluminium anodes and carbon cathodes. The development will be conducted in a multidisciplinary framework, implying that materials research is aided by sustainability analysis, and focused around scaleable solutions, relevant for selected stationary storage applications. 

Duties of the position

The tasks of the candidate will involve: 

• Characterization of materials and laboratory scale battery cells using state-of-the art infrastructure for battery research at Department of Materials Science and Engineering
• Perform relevant sustainability analysis and use relevant energy storage profiles to aid the evaluation of candidate materials and designed cells
• Presentation of results at project meetings and national and international workshops and conferences
• Preparation of scientific papers 

Required selection criteria

The candidate we seek must have

• A master degree in Chemistry/Materials Technology/Process Engineering, or equivalent education. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position. 
• 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
• Good background in the field of electrochemistry
• Hands on experience with relevant experimental techniques related to electrochemical characterization of battery electrodes and cells, or similar devices
• Knowledge of Python programming
• Good knowledge of materials technology, and basic knowledge of environmental assessment of materials
• Good written and oral English 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

In the evaluation of candidates, we consider additionally the following criteria

• Experience with HSE procedures
• Experience with scientific writing
• Experience (hands on) with one or more relevant materials characterization techniques (i.e. XRD, SEM, FTIR, Raman or similar)

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of qualifications of the candidates, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability. We seek a candidate who is interested in development of new energy storage technologies in a cross-disciplinary framework. The candidate should be motivated to perform research, undertake an innovative PhD project, related to early stage development of an emerging battery technology. Furthermore, emphasis will be put on communication skills, as well as collaborative skills.

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
• 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

We offer

• 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 period of employment is 3 years, with the possibility of up to one-year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Materials Science and Engineering (PhD programme in Materials Science and Engineering - NTNU) 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 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: 

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV, including information on publications etc. other relevant research work
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Relevant 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 Ann Mari Svensson e-mail: annmari.svensson@ntnu.no, (+47 98230450).

  If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Marie Kristiansen, marie.kristiansen@ntnu.no.  

Application deadline: 15.08.2025

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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.