PhD Candidate in Experimental Fluid Mechanics - Combustion Instabilities

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At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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

   

Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0

About the position

To limit climate impact, future gas turbine technology must be capable of operating using alternative low or zero carbon fuels and fuel blends to support the emergence of zero net CO2emission energy systems. However, significant technical challenges must be overcome when operating with new fuels or fuel-blends. New and existing engines must be designed to prevent combustion instabilities, flashback, and maintain low NOx emissions during operation. 

The current project will focus on the fuel flexible operation of a simple lab-scale axially staged combustor using H2/NH3 fuel blends, with the aim of better understanding the thermoacoustic stability of the system. The project will involve conducting a series of laboratory experiments using state-of-the-art measurement methods such as high-speed imaging, and acoustic measurements using dynamic pressure sensors to measure the flow and flame response. In particular, the project will focus on novel methods of introducing flow perturbations, to rapidly and accurately characterise the acoustic response of the flame. Such characterisation will help improve our understanding of the dynamic response and stability of a practically relevant configuration, and help identify beneficial fuel splits and operating states, aiding the rapid development of zero carbon gas turbine technology.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Your immediate leader will be Professor James Dawson. You will also work with Professor Nicholas Worth.

About the project

The project is financed by the Norwegian Research Council as part of a FRIPRO Research project, entitled “Setting the Stage”.
 

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Design, setup, and optimisation of experiments, including accurate characterisation of boundary conditions.
• Measurement of heat release rate response using high speed chemiluminescence of relevant species, dynamic pressure measurements, and emissions measurements.
• Application of novel flow perturbation strategies for acoustic characterisation.
• Assessments of stability, and emissions performance across a wide range of operating conditions.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in engineering, applied mathematics, physics or or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian 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 September 2026, unless applying through the integrated PhD programme.
• 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: https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme
• Strong background in fundamental or applied fluid mechanics.
• Programming skills in MATLAB, C, Python, or similar packages.
• Excellent command of the English language, and skilled in academic writing

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

• Experience with state-of-the-art experimental fluid mechanics measurements (e.g., high-speed imaging, hot-wire, particle image velocimetry, laser-Doppler anemometry, dynamic pressure measurements).
• Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD).

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Work both independently and as part of a larger research team
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity 
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions 
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

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
• 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.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) has established EPT Women in Science. The group is focused on supporting female Research Assistants, PhD Candidates, Postdoctoral Fellows and permanent academic employees within the Department. This support aims to help develop the academic careers of female employees, and is also made visible to our student body, to encourage them to consider an academic path. As part of the EPT Women in Science initiative we continue to build on our international network, inviting prominent female academics within and beyond the field of Engineering to speak at our events.

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 employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work. 

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering (https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme) 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 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:

• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• CV
• A 1 page “qualifications” document explicitly detailing how you meet each of the required and some (or all) of the desired qualifications listed above. An application missing this document may be considered incomplete by the selection committee.
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
• Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• 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 Professor Nicholas Worth, email: nicholas.a.worth@ntnu.no, or Professor James Dawson, email: james.r.dawson@ntnu.no. 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-consultant Ingrid Wiggen, e-mail: ingrid.wiggen@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 24.02.2026

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For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is located on the Trondheim Fjord in mid-Norway. It is a modern Scandinavian city with a unique cultural scene. Trondheim has a growing and increasingly diverse population, currently of around 200 000, and is known as the tech capital of Norway. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is among the best of its kind in the world. Professional, subsidized wrap-around care for school children in grades 1-4 is easily available. The public school system offers language support to international children whose families have relocated to Trondheim and there are also two International Schools. Trondheim has low crime rates, clean air and water, and offers great opportunities for enjoying nature and culture.