Researcher in the design of new timber products using reclaimed timber

This is NTNU

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 can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

. Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0

About the Job

At the Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering in Gjøvik, we have one (1) Researcher position linked to the newly established research project CIRCULess, https://circuless-project.eu/. The duration of the position is three years. 

The project is funded by the Horizon Europe programme and coordinated by NTNU. The project is dedicated to the recycling, upcycling, circularity and waste management of End-of-Life (EoL) concrete and timber-based materials and components. Through the position, you will find an exceptional portfolio of industrial and academic partners from Norway and Europe, across a variety of sectors. The successful candidate will join the Group for Sustainable Composites led by Prof. Sotirios Grammatikos and Group of Digitalization for a Sustainable Built Environment, led by Prof. Lizhen Huang. 

The Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering is in possession of state-of-the-art research facilities for manufacturing, testing & characterization, non-destructive evaluation, and recycling, as well as advanced software and digital facilities for design, modelling and analysis. NTNU in Gjøvik is an important research hub in Norway, with a strong portfolio of running (national and EU) projects and significant ongoing collaborations with the industry. 

NTNU in Gjøvik is a campus of NTNU, located close to Raufoss Industrial Park, Mustad Industrial Park and Sintef Raufoss Manufacturing.

 

The successful candidate will be under the supervision of Prof. Sotirios Grammatikos 

https://www.ntnu.no/ansatte/sotirios.grammatikos 

Duties of the position

The position aims to elaborate novel design strategies for the development of new timber-based products or elements, using reclaimed timber from construction, demolition and manufacturing sources. The researcher is expected to collaborate with both other NTNU team members and also project partners to reach the goals of the study, which seeks to reuse reclaimed wood products in new structural designs. The researcher is expected to study and propose new higher value streams for upcycling secondary timber as feedstock for new engineered wood products.

• Participation in the research activities of the project in cooperation with partners of CIRCULess EU project.
• Contribute project implementation activities.
• Disseminate and publish research results.
• Conduct high-quality research on the topic.
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to develop circular practices of timber material.

Required selection criteria

• Norwegian doctoral degree, or a corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in engineering or architecture preferably related to timber materials. If you can document that the PhD thesis has been submitted, your application can be assessed even if you have not yet defended your dissertation. Documentation of the doctoral degree obtained must be presented before you can take up the position.
• Relevant background in timber engineering, materials engineering, civil engineering, architecture or other relevant engineering field.
• Knowledge of circular economy principles.
• Background in sustainability with focus on recycling & upcycling solutions .
• Strong knowledge of timber as engineering material.
• Background in product /structural design.
• Strong knowledge of circular economy principles and environmental impact.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English language written and communication skills is a prerequisite. The candidate is expected to be fluent in written and oral English language skills. Candidates from universities outside Scandinavia and English speaking countries are kindly requested to document English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)).

TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)

IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted) 

CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

In extraordinary circumstances, formal documentation of language skills can be relinquished. In such cases the candidate’s language skills will be assessed in a personal interview.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience from industry and /or experience from working in projects with multiple partners will be considered a merit.
• Previous experience working in National /European projects will be considered a plus.
• Project management knowledge will be considered a plus.
• Documented laboratory hands-on experience will be considered a merit.

Personal characteristics

We are looking for a positive, balanced personality who can think creatively and critically. The candidate must have excellent analytical and collaboration skills as well as an ability to work independently and in teams. Cooperation skills and communication skills are important for the position and will be highly weighted in the selection process. 

The candidate much have a research mind-set, be application oriented, with the ability to set up, organize and execute research independently.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
employee benefits

Salary and conditions

The gross salary for the position of Researcher (code 1109) is normally remunerated at gross NOK 580663 before tax per year. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund,

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite that you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily. 

About the application

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.  If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result. 

The application must include: 

1. Cover letter directed to Prof. Sotirios Grammatikos (max 1 page)

2. Curriculum vitae 

3. Certified copies of transcripts and diplomas with grades from post graduate studies (in English)

4. Research statement dedicated to the needs of this position (max. 2 pages) that should include:

• A short presentation of the motivation of the applicant
• How the applicant sees his/her background suitable for this position
• The applicant’s view of research challenges within the area of this position

5. Names and contact information for three relevant referees 

6. A copy of the PhD thesis (in PDF). If you are close to submitting, or have recently submitted your thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position

 

Incomplete applications and applications not meeting the background criteria, will not be considered. Nominations and applications will be considered until the position is filled.
 

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.  

In the assessment of the best qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

General information

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.  

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality. 

 

The city of Gjøvik has a population of 30 000 and is a town known for its rich music and cultural life. The beautiful nature surrounding the city is ideal for an active outdoor life! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

 

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted. 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself 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 reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact 

Professor Sotirios Grammatikos, Research Group Leader for Sustainable Composites, Director of Laboratory of Advanced & Sustainable Engineering Materials (ASEMlab), sotirios.grammatikos@ntnu.no, phone: + 4790577561

or Adviser Peter Karlsaune, peter.karlsaune@ntnu.no.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Adviser Kristine Rognlid Hagaseth, kristine.r.hagaseth@ntnu.no

If you think this looks interesting and in line 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: 31.1.2025