PhD candidate in fabrication of novel quantum materials

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About the position

A PhD position in the field of functional materials for future quantum technology is available at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. 

The project aims to fabricate novel quantum materials that unify topological and magnetic properties, enabling completely new interface functionalities in future spintronics. 

The project combines elements from physics (magnetic and topological properties), chemistry/material technology (fabrication of nanomaterials) and electronics (quantum devices).  This project is interdisciplinary, and the PhD candidate will be part of a larger group using pulsed laser deposition as a tool to engineer new quantum materials. The group is within the Functional Materials and Materials Chemistry Research Group (FACET – http://www.ntnu.edu/ima/research/facet). 

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

We are seeking a PhD candidate to perform experimental research using pulsed laser deposition of thin films, combining Van der Waals materials (topological insulators) with Perovskite oxides (magnetic oxides) to fabricate emerging interface properties. 

The position will focus on the electronic reconstruction of the interface, developing ways to characterize the topological features of the material. 

• To fabricate heterostructures using pulsed laser deposition
• To fabricate electronic devices with lithography
• To actively take part in the multidisciplinary activity of the research group (project meetings, workshops, etc.).
• To characterize electronic and magnetic functionality
• To actively apply for beamtime at international synchrotron/neutron facilities and take part in such measurement
• To actively take part in the guidance of master students in the group.
• To develop and disseminate research results on the subject through scientific publications.

Required selection criteria

• The candidate must have a completed master’s degree (or equivalent), and your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level 
• The candidate must have a strong academic background in the field of solid-state physics, materials science, materials chemistry, electronics engineering, nanotechnology or equivalent, 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.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd
• The applicants are required to justify their candidateship by explicitly explaining their personal motivation and academic aptitude for pursuing a doctoral degree within this research field.
• We require excellent written and oral communication skills. For candidates who are neither native English speakers nor from Scandinavia the following tests can be used as documentation for English skills: TOEFL, Academic IELTS, and Cambridge CAE or CPE. Minimum scores are:
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (internet-based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5 with no section lower than 5.5
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A
• For optional teaching duties we require Scandinavian language 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 for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with physical deposition methods for deposition of thin films or equivalent
• Experience with functional materials
• Experience with electronic transport measurement
• Experience with nanofabrication

Personal characteristics

• The successful candidates can take responsibility for progress and work independently
• The candidate has good communication skills and can collaborate closely with other members of the group
• The candidate is creative and innovative 
• The candidates must be diligent and able to show initiative on behalf of their own work
• Enjoy interdisciplinary research

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position.

• 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 depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The period of employment is 3 years for the doctoral work with the possibility of extending to four years with teaching duties.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Materials Science and Engineering (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phmt ) 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 application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment 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 and certificates 
• Letter of motivation for a PhD study within this topic
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment.
• Documentation for English skills: TOEFL, Academic IELTS, and Cambridge CAE or CPE. 
• Name and contact information of three 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 Associate Professor Ingrid Hallsteinsen, e-mail: Ingrid.hallsteinsen@ntnu.no. 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Marie Kristiansen, e-mail: marie.kristiansen@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 02.08.2026

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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.