PhD Position in Theoretical Physics

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You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

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About the position

A PhD position is available in the Sukhachov’s research group which is part of the Center for Quantum Spintronics at the Department of Physics, NTNU in Trondheim, Norway. The candidate will join and become part of an international research environment in quantum condensed matter theory and experiments. Please see Center for Quantum Spintronics (QuSpin) - NTNU for more information.

The PhD position is in the field of quantum condensed matter physics and has a duration of three years.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. 

Duties of the position

The PhD candidate will develop microscopic and effective models of topological materials with a focus on the spin polarization and orbital composition of electronic bands. By combining symmetry analysis with numerical methods, including tight-binding modeling and first-principles-based approaches, the project will investigate the interplay between electronic, orbital, and spin degrees of freedom in systems such as Weyl and multifold semimetals, even- and odd-parity magnets, and related topological materials. Particular emphasis will be placed on identifying topologically protected and quantum-geometric contributions in electronic, orbital, and spin responses that are robust against disorder and interactions and can be accessible to experiments. In addition, the candidate will contribute to ongoing research on superconducting orbitronics and related heterostructures.

Required selection criteria

The applicant for the PhD position must have an MSc (or equivalent) in theoretical physics or nanotechnology or a closely related field. We require a solid background in condensed matter theory, nanotechnology, or related fields. We will not consider candidates who already hold a PhD degree, or candidates with an experimental physics master thesis. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must have been submitted before starting the position and no later than July 1st, 2026.

Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level. 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. 

The position requires spoken and written fluency in the English language. Such evidence might be represented by the results of standard tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The candidate`s language skills might also be assessed in a personal interview.

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

• It is an advantage if the candidate can document a background related to quantum materials, topology, transport, and superconductivity.
• Familiarity with computer algebra systems and modern programming languages is an advantage.

Personal characteristics

Personal suitability for the position with traits like hardworking, collaborative, ambitious, sociable, strongly motivated, resilient, and with excellent communication skills. The successful candidate demonstrates a structured, goal-oriented approach, a willingness to work under pressure, ability to meet deadlines, and is a positive individual with integrity and solid work ethics.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment 
• Collaborative opportunities both within the Center for Quantum Spintronics and internationally
• An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues 
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• 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) 

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

The period of employment is 3 years with the possibility of up to one-year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department. 

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Physics within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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 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 Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• Copy of Master's thesis, if available. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis and confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a submitted Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position, and no later than July 1st, 2026. 
• Name and address of three referees, including recommendation letters if possible. 
• If available, 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 works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of 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 Pavlo Sukhachov, Ph.D. (pavel.sukhachov@gmail.com) or Jacob Linder, Ph.D. (jacob.linder@ntnu.no). 

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

Application deadline: January 31st, 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.