PhD position in Microstructure/texture evolution during extrusion of scrap-based Aluminium

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About the position

The position is a 3-year doctoral research fellowship starting in 2026. The PhD candidate will be embedded in the research activities of SFI FAST centre related to forming processes and will work closely with NTNU, SINTEF, and leading international industrial partners in the aluminium value chain (Hydro, Benteler Automotive, Raufoss Technology, Speira, Raufoss Aluminium, Renault, Honda). 

This PhD position focuses on aluminium extrusion of profiles using aluminium of high recycled content. The use of post-consumer scrap (PCS) in structural components (e.g. for automotive applications) is expected to increase with growing sustainability demands. 

Understanding microstructure evolution during extrusion is critical for controlling final mechanical properties and surface appearance of extruded profiles, yet quantitative predictions remain challenging due to the complexity of deformation mechanisms and recrystallization processes. The project will focus on understanding and modelling the microstructure evolution during extrusion, with particular emphasis on crystallographic texture formation – both deformation and recrystallization – and its gradients across the cross-section of extruded profiles. The candidate will study what influence various thermo-mechanical treatments have on final microstructure.

The research will address the role of intermetallic particles, commonly present in scrap-based alloys, in influencing recrystallization mechanisms and texture formation through particle-stimulated nucleation (PSN) and grain boundary pinning effects. The work will include extrusion experiments, advanced material characterization (LOM, SEM, EBSD etc.), and use and further development of crystal plasticity models. Profiles of varying complexity will be studied. The candidate will establish and validate numerical simulations, collaborate with industrial partners, and demonstrate results through relevant industrial use-cases.

The candidate will work in collaboration with industrial partners and needs to be responsible for reporting progress and delivering outputs to the FAST Centre.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

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. 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 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 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 PhD 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

• Conduct original research on microstructure evolution during extrusion of scrap-based aluminium alloys, both experimentally and numerically
• Develop and implement computational physics- and data-driven models that deal with microstructure/texture evolution during extrusion to predict material properties of extruded profiles
• Collaborate with other researchers and industry partners to validate models and apply findings to real-world industrial problems.
• Conduct and publish high-level research at peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.
• Work closely with industry and employ the industry-as-laboratory concept for extrusion trials and studies.
• Participate and contribute to research group and FAST WP3 (Forming) activities, including mentoring and supervising MScs.

Required selection criteria

• A Master’s degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, applied physics, or related fields.
• Strong academic background relevant to metal forming, plasticity theory.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, FORTRAN, or similar, and an experience with using an FEA software.
• You must be fluent in spoken and written English.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are 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 August 2026.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed 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 program (https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd)

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

• Knowledge about crystallographic texture and its modelling using crystal plasticity models.
• Knowledge and testing skills in material characterization and microstructural analysis of aluminium alloys, using advance equipment like SEM, TEM, P-FIB, etc.
• A strong academic record, with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in using relevant modelling methods for material or process (as machine learning techniques, etc.).

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified for the PhD position, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability. The candidate should: 

• Be comfortable working independently to solve complex problems and take responsibility for your own progress.
• Be willing to learn from experiences and feedback from others.
• Be able to build meaningful professional relationships in the workplace and foster respect among colleagues.
• Be able to work together with other PhD candidates, postdocs and research staff
• Be required to respect others in the workplace and contribute to an inclusive, fair and responsible work environment.

We offer

• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• SFI FAST facilities, industrial network, and a joint PhD environment
• An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Employee benefits
• Excellent research infrastructure for experiments and modelling
• Salary and conditions according to NTNU’s PhD regulations

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 before tax. 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 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.

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:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• Name and contact information of three references
• If you have publications or other relevant research work

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 Tomáš Mánik, e-mail: tomas.manik@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: 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.