Postdoctoral Fellow in Experimental physics/Fluid mechanics: microplastics in waves and turbulence

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

     

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About the position

We announce a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship for experimental work in the one-of-a-kind water channel facility at NTNU Trondheim, Norway. The project is closely aligned with the ongoing ERC project WaTurSheD.The candidate should have an excellent record in a relevant area of physics or mechanical engineering; fluid mechanics expertise is a definite advantage (see selection criteria below).

The experiments will be unique in combining tailored waves, turbulence and mean flow simultaneously. The question of investigation is how floating microplastic particles are transported into the atmosphere via droplets produced by wave breaking, and will involve a combination of several laboratory measurement techniques simultaneously, including particle-image velocimetry, optical and infrared techniques, profilometry and high-speed stereo imaging. This is a rare opportunity for an excellent candidate with a strong background in fluid mechanics/physics to work in a highly active, ambitious, multinational research team in a generous and stimulating environment. 

You will work in the group led by Professor Simen Å. Ellingsen and the co-supervisor will be Professor Jason Hearst.

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions. The start-up date is as soon as possible, preferably no later than December 2025, meaning that the applicant should have already been awarded their PhD degree or it is overwhelmingly likely they will bein the near future.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. 

About the project 

The project is to study the transfer of microscopic particles from the water surface to the air via droplets emitted during wave breaking. This is one of the proposed mechanisms to explain the surprisingly high levels of microplastics in the atmosphere even far from land. We will make breaking waves atop a turbulent flow, forced by wind, and using a suite of experimental methods simultaneously, study how particles are carried off. This is a complex experiment to be accomplished step by step, drawing on experience and expertise already in the Ellingsen/Hearst groups and the NTNU Thermo-Fluids group. It is not strictly necessary to be experienced with the precise laboratory techniques or physical system, although it is obviously advantageous and will strengthen the candidature. The project involves collaboration with the Princeton University and the University of Oslo. 

You will be responsible for an extensive laboratory campaign in the Large Water Channel (Jooss et al. 2020, J. Fluid Mech. 911, A4), in close collaboration with several other postdocs and PhD students. 

The application must include a brief research proposal of no more than one page (see more info below). Recent publications of particular relevance include Smeltzer et al 2023and Ellingsen et al 2025.

For an overview of what your application must contain, please see the paragraph “About the application” below.

Duties of the position

• Perform excellent research at internationally leading level,
• Write high quality scientific papers reporting research findings,
• Contribute to the research group above and beyond your own project, collaboratively as well as socially,
• Attend and present at international conferences and extended stays with international collaborators, as agreed with supervisor,
• Mentoring MSc and PhD students, contributing to supervision,
• Management tasks in the Ellingsen/Hearst research groups, for instance leading sub-projects and lab campaigns involving several group members,
• Assist other group members with manuscript preparation.

Required selection criteria

• The applicant must have completed a doctoral degree on a relevant topic in physics or engineering;
• The candidate must have scientific laboratory experience; if the field is not fluid mechanics, turbulent flows and experimental methods for these, it must be argued clearly how your expertise can be directly adapted to this project.
• Since the position must be filled within 2025, only candidates who have already received their PhD, or can show that it is extremely likely that they will in the sufficiently near future, will be considered.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English, including documented prowess in scientific writing at the level required in the foremost academic journals. 
• A strong international publication record in highly reputable journals, with emphasis on quality over quantity.

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.

As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01/08/2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate

Preferred selection criteria

Candidates with extensive experimental research experience in a relevant branch of the physical sciences at a level publishable in high quality international journals are strongly preferred. Other expertise can be considered, but it must then be argued clearly how the candidate will succeed with the project described above.

• Experience with experimental fluid mechanics is a clear advantage, in particular turbulent flows and particle-image velocimetry (PIV), stereo or high-speed imaging, and/or free-surface flows (including waves). However, an excellent candidate with a strong general experimental physics background can often learn quickly – the ability to adapt to new fields should be argued and documented. 
• Previous knowledge of turbulence and/or surface waves is an advantage, as is experience with laser-based and/or optical flow measurement. 
• Experience with building and/or developing laboratory set-ups is particularly valuable. 
• A background in curiosity-driven fundamental research is much preferred over applied/industrial engineering research.
• The make-up and composition of the present and Ellingsen/Hearst group as a whole will be taken into account to some extent when ranking qualified candidates, to ensure continuity, diversity and complementarity. 
• Experience and skills in supervision and group management is a positive, as the position will involve such tasks.

Mechanical engineering remains a male-dominated subject field, so female applicants are particularly encouraged (or other non-male gender).

NOTE: a background in computational fluid mechanics with standard software (e.g. ANSYS, OpenFOAM) is not particularly relevant and does not itself qualify for the position.

Personal characteristics

We are looking for candidates who are

• enthusiastic and driven
• efficient while diligent
• inventive, able to find creative solutions to problems
• a team player and generous collaborator
• tolerant and flexible in a highly diverse environment

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities. Due to the extended responsibilities within the research group, statements from references will be important, and the interview stage will be done carefully, possibly involving two rounds of interviews.

We offer 

• World class laboratory facilities and equipment;
• Exciting and stimulating tasks in an internationally excellent academic environment;
• An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues;
• A friendly and generous working environment including social activities outside of the workplace itself
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

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.

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) has established EPT Women in Science. The group is focused on supporting female Research Assistants, PhD Candidates, Postdoctoral Fellows and permanent academic employees within the Department. This support aims to help develop the academic careers of female employees, and is also made visible to our student body, to encourage them to consider an academic path. As part of the EPT Women in Science initiative we continue to build on our international network, inviting prominent female academics within and beyond the field of Engineering to speak at our events.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives. Conversely, the applicant must be ready to work in such a diverse environment and collaborate effectively with colleagues regardless of their gender, nationality, sexual orientation or cultural background.

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 633 400,- 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. 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.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them. 

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 to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English. The documents must be in English. Attachments in Norwegian or a Scandinavian language are permissible.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application (it is not necessary to attach the actual article if it is published with open access and is properly referenced with, e.g., a DOI link). 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.

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 and certificates
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-,Master's- and PhD degrees. 
  • In English; provide an official/professional translation if necessary;
  • 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; see required selection criteria above;
  • for transcripts from countries outside Norway, an official explanation of grades for international comparison should be included (usually provided by the awarding University).
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be particularly considered in the assessment (up to 5 items).
• A research plan, maximum 1 page (see below).
• Name and contact information of three references.

If all or parts of your education has been taken outside Norway, 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 publications 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.

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 Simen Å. Ellingsen, email: simen.a.ellingsen@ntnu.no. 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Ingrid Wiggen, email: ingrid.wiggen@ntnu.no.

Please apply through JobbNorge using the link provided; applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to provide certified copies of your documentation.

Application deadline: 07.09.2025

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim has a population of 200 000. It is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene and is known as the tech capital of Norway. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is among the best of its kind in the world. Professional, subsidized day-care for children is easily available, as is children`s education (including two international schools). Trondheim has low crime rates, clean air quality, and offers great opportunities for enjoying nature, culture and family-life.