SFI FAST: PhD Candidate in Materials Physics

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About the position

Studies of phase formation, evolution of microstructure and casting defects in high-pressure die casting of recycled aluminium alloys. 

The position is a 3-year doctoral research fellowship starting in the autumn of 2026. The PhD candidate will be embedded in the solidification research activities of SFI FAST, working in close collaboration with project partners from NTNU and SINTEF, and with leading Norwegian and international industrial partners in the aluminium value chain.

The PhD candidate will use advanced experimental techniques to study the formation and evolution of solidification microstructures and defects in high-pressure die-cast products, made from aluminium alloys containing a considerable fraction of post-consumer scrap. The research will focus on microstructure and defect formation, how the outcome of these processes is affected by the inclusion of recycled material, and how processing parameters might be altered to obtain components which meet with the end-user requirements. 

The overall aim of the activity is to drive the science of future alloys and transform Europe’s capacity in advanced metal manufacturing towards a greener future. Ability to replace parts made by joint components of wrought alloys with components made by shaped castings is considered a pivotal element in recycling of post-consumer scrap and essential for the establishment of a more circular aluminium economy. The scientific and technical challenge is to handle the increase in chemical impurities arising from the inclusion of scrap, and to control the processing parameters such that the structural integrity of the cast components can meet with the demands to performance.

The starting date is August or September 2026. Requests for an earlier or later starting date may be considered and must be stated in the application.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

 

Key tasks for the PhD project include:

• Performing advanced studies using state-of-the-art methods in X-ray imaging and scattering and electron microscopy to study porosity, intermetallic inclusions, solute segregates and distributions, involving both in-situ studies of evolving solidification microstructures and ex-situ studies of the final as-cast components.
• Developing and applying high-throughput data analysis methods for experiments.
• Investigating the role of alloy composition and process parameters on the structural integrity of the final product.
• Collaborating closely with the other NTNU and SINTEF project partners, as well as the industrial partners to provide input for alloy design and processing strategies.

About SFI FAST – Future Aluminium Structures 

SFI FAST (Future Aluminium Structures) is a national Centre for Research-based Innovation (SFI) funded by the Research Council of Norway and the aluminium industry. The centre is led by NTNU in close collaboration with SINTEF and a broad consortium of 16 leading industrial partners across the aluminium value chain. SFI FAST runs from 2026 to 2033 and represents one of Norway’s most ambitious long-term research initiatives within aluminium materials, manufacturing technologies, and circular economy. 

The primary objective of SFI FAST is to establish the scientific and technological knowledge base required to enable the large-scale use of post-consumer scrap (PCS) aluminium in high-value, structural, and safety-critical products. FAST adopts a through-scale and through-process research methodology, integrating materials science, manufacturing processes, product and structural design, and lifecycle performance. 

A key outcome of SFI FAST is the development of the FAST Virtual Lab, a digital framework combining experimental data, physics-based models, and data-driven methods to support design, manufacturing, and decision-making across aluminium value chains. 

Education and competence building are central pillars of FAST. The centre will educate more than 18 PhD and postdoctoral researchers and over 100 MSc students, strengthening Norway’s international position in aluminium research and innovation. The position posted here will be among the first ones to start in the centre. 

Please see the centre’s website: Future Aluminium Structures (FAST) - NTNU 

Duties of the position

• To complete the education program until obtaining a doctorate degree.
• To carry out research of good quality within the framework of the project described above.
• To conduct and publish high-level research in peer-reviewed journals.
• To participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign institutions.
• To investigate the impact of post-consumer scrap and process parameters on the microstructural integrity of shaped castings from Aluminium alloys.
• To plan and perform advanced studies using state-of-the-art X-ray and electron microscopy techniques.
• To carry out data analysis, including development of new analysis tools and protocols for data management and dissemination.
• To participate in the SFI FAST WP2 researcher team and to the fulfilment of objectives of SFI FAST.

Be aware that some of the work duties above may be subjected to modifications after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Physics, Nanotechnology, Materials Science or equivalent, corresponding to a five-year Norwegian Masters course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than October 2026.  
• You must have 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.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme 
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English
• Experience with experimental work within physics, nanotechnology or material science.
• Basic programming 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

• Documented competence within X-ray imaging, diffraction or electron microscopy, preferably transmission electron microscopy (TEM) will be considered advantageous.
• Documented knowledge in processing of metals and alloys, preferably solidification microstructure formation will be considered an advantage.
• Interest and experience in working with industrial problems will be considered an advantage.
• Experience with data processing/analysis.

Personal characteristics

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, including industry 
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• Join an innovative research centre, in an international work environment involving key industrial European partners in the aluminium value chain.
• Training and access to state-of-the-art instruments at international research facilities and at the TEM Gemini Centre /NORTEM Trondheim node.
• An exciting job in close connection to SINTEF and the Aluminium Industry
• 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
• Favourable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)  
• Collaboration with leading experts in advanced material science, addressing highly relevant industrial and societal challenges for European industries.

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. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3 years. 

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in  Physics 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 be in 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:

• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas for your master's degrees. If you are currently working on a master’s degree, include the preliminary transcript.
• If you have finished your master’s degree, include a copy of the master's thesis. 
• If you have recently submitted, or not yet submitted, your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. If you have not started writing your master’s thesis, include a copy of one other relevant work during your studies: bachelor thesis, specialization project, or other work. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• 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 either Professor Ragnvald Mathiesen,  email ragnvald.mathiesen@ntnu.no, or Professor Randi Holmestad, email randi.holmestad@ntnu.no.  

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Anja Isaksen, e-mail: anja.t.isaksen@ntnu.no. 

Application deadline: 31.03.2026

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.