Researcher within Sustainability assessment (LCA) of soil stabilization

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About the Job

We have a vacancy for a 2-year position as researcher at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (IBM). The researcher is to take part in “WP5 Sustainability assessment” of the ongoing research project “Sustainable, Stable Ground” funded by “The Research Council of Norway”.

WP5 will assess the sustainability of soil stabilization, by a comparative LCA analysis of the different stabilization systems; the production of additives, transport, mixture, service-life, waste-production, and runoffs.

The objectives of the researcher (WP5) are to determine the system boundaries and accounting ranges, build an inventory for the life cycle assessment and develop waste handling plans for the different stabilization processes of soil stabilization.

The researcher will be taking part in the following three activities: 

In activity 5.1 we will produce an inventory of all energy consumption and waste discharges during production of different alternative stabilizers and the stabilization processes (construction) over the whole service-lifetime of the stabilized soils. This requires collection of data related to soil stabilization processes, resources, energy, transportation, materials and waste management. Further we will do uncertainty assessments of the data. 

In activity 5.2 we will provide comparative LCAs for the different alternative stabilizers (as described in WP3) and their applications, used to stabilize different types of clays typically found in Norway. Each soft soil stabilization projects, has their own soil-characteristic and volume that needs to be stabilized. This requires input from simulations in WP4 for the amount needed per unit volume and the corresponding environmental impact over the lifetime. 

Finally, activity 5.3 will develop optimal waste handling plans for the different stabilization processes.

You will report to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• LCA of soil stabilization as described above
• Publish in highly ranked international journals
• Supervise master students
• Support interdisciplinary work within and between research groups on the topic

Required selection criteria

You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree in civil engineering, industrial ecology, or natural sciences, or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree .

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 appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant. 

Other required selection criteria

• Competence in life cycle assessment or civil engineering
• Relevant programming software skills (Python, R, MatLab, BIM, GIS)
• Evidence of an interest in the research, articulated in a cover letter or research proposal
• Good written and oral English language skills

Preferred selection criteria

• Motivation for environmental research of practical relevance
• Genuine interest in life cycle assessment
• Knowledge in Scandinavian language is an advantage

Personal characteristics

• Confidence in working independently and in teams
• Ability and willingness to work in inter- and transdisciplinary teams
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Appreciation of safe working practices

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 from NOK 620 000 – 750 000 before tax per year, depending on qualifications and seniority. 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

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 (Departments to choose from the following): 

• CV, certificates and diplomas 
• Evidence of an interest in the research, articulated in a cover letter or research proposal
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 works)
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees 
   

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 Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation 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.

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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 Rolf André Bohne, telephone +47 99705363, email rolf.bohne@ntnu.no . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Tone Måsøval Arntzen, e-mail: tone.m.arntzen@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: 02.06.2025