PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering / Materials Science – Aqueous Zn–I₂ Batteries

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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.

   

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About the position

The Department of Chemical Engineering (IKP), Faculty of Natural Sciences (NV), at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a PhD Candidate. The position is associated with the research project AMAZIEN – Transforming Multifunctional Membranes into High-Performance Cathodes and Separators in Aqueous Zn–I₂ Batteries for Sustainable Energy Storage, funded by the Research Council of Norway.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will work in a strong and international research environment at the forefront of materials science, membrane technology, and next-generation battery research. The position offers the opportunity to develop advanced experimental skills, contribute to high-impact scientific publications, and collaborate with leading national and international research partners.
 

The PhD position is for a period of three years. The desired starting date is as soon as possible, and no later than 15 August.
 

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The AMAZIEN project aims to develop innovative cathode and separator materials for aqueous zinc–iodine (Zn–I₂) batteries, addressing critical challenges related to polyiodide shuttling, zinc dendrite formation, and sluggish iodine redox kinetics. By integrating advanced membrane design principles, nanostructured materials, and knowledge from lithium–sulfur battery research, the project seeks to significantly enhance battery capacity, cycle life, safety, and energy efficiency.

The research will focus in particular on the development of functional separator materials with tailored ion selectivity and the investigation of structure–property relationships governing ion transport and electrochemical performance. The project is highly interdisciplinary and combines membrane science, materials chemistry, and electrochemistry.
 

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education leading to a PhD degree
• Carry out high-quality research within the framework of the AMAZIEN project
• Design, synthesize, and characterize advanced separator materials for aqueous Zn–I₂ batteries
• Evaluate electrochemical performance through battery assembly and testing
• Publish research results in internationally recognized scientific journals
• Present research at national and international conferences
• Participate actively in the research group and project activities
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and interdisciplinary research environment

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Applicants must

• Hold a relevant Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Nanotechnology, or a closely related discipline. The degree must correspond to a five-year Norwegian education programme, with 120 ECTS credits obtained at Master’s level
• Have a strong academic background with an average grade equivalent to B or better according to NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants with weaker grades may be considered if they can document particular suitability for doctoral studies
• Meet the requirements for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, NTNU

• Demonstrate very good oral and written communication skills in English 

   

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.

The following qualifications will be considered an advantage 

• Experimental experience in membrane materials, polymer science, nanocomposites, or electrochemical systems
• Experience with battery materials, separators, or electrochemical characterization techniques
• Background in materials synthesis and advanced characterization methods
• Experience with scientific writing and publication

We are looking for a candidate who

• Is highly motivated and curious about scientific research
• Can work independently and in a structured manner
• Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Enjoys interdisciplinary research and collaboration
• Is able to communicate and discuss research results with other professionals

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in an important mission in sustainable energy research
• A strong and international research environment with excellent laboratory facilities
• 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 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3.

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

The position is conditional on external funding 

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 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 
• Digital Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently 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 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 Liyuan Deng (Liyuan.deng@ntnu.no). 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Lise Skorstad (lise.skorstad@ntnu.no)
 

Application deadline: 15.03.2026

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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.