PhD Candidate in direct-write nanopatterning of functional materials

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NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

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

A PhD research fellow position in the field of direct-write nanopatterning of functional materials for electronics and photocatalysis is available. The academic position will provide the opportunity for professional development through studies towards a PhD degree in nanotechnology. 

The tasks for the PhD research fellow will cover the development of thermal scanning probe lithography as a transformative tool for precision nanostructuring of functional materials, providing maskless, damage‑free patterning with sub‑10 nm control. The nanostructuring will focus on complex oxide thin films, van der Waals films and plasmonic photocatalysts. The position will also involve synthesis of the materials as well as characterization of structural, functional and catalytic properties. The successful candidate will be affiliated to the FACET research group at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU and will have a strong collaboration with the Catalysis Group at Department of Chemical Engineering, NTNU and NTNU Nanolab. You will work in a multidisciplinary and international environment. The supervisor team will consist of Professor Mari-Ann Einarsrud, Professor Magnus Rønning and Associate Professor Ingrid Hallsteinsen.

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 the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate actively in the affiliated research groups 
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• One year of Duty work in NTNU Nanolab including method development and training of users on NanoFrazor and AFM

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in nanotechnology, materials chemistry, materials science and engineering or materials and solid-state physics 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 December 1st, 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 of Natural Sciences doctoral program https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd
• You must be able to communicate fluently in English (orally and written) and have good communication 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 for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• A strong background and hands-on experience in functional materials including synthesis, nanostructuring or characterisation.
• Experience with photocatalysis.
• The ideal candidate has a good understanding of running complex experiments. 
• Experience in working in a clean room.
• Experience with training of students.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian/Scandinavian equivalent level B2. 

Personal characteristics

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

• be creative and innovative
• take responsibility for own progress and be able to work independently
• be able to collaborate closely with other members of the research team
• be diligent and able to show initiative on behalf of own work
• be structured, targeted and solution-oriented
• have good interpersonal skills that allow for a positive and friendly attitude and contribute to a sustainable social environment

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment 
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• 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. 

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 doctoral work in addition to 12 months of career promotion work. 

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in materials technology within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

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. (decide on this - remove if not applicable)

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:

• A cover letter describing the personal motivation, summarising scientific work, and how the applicant sees her/his background suitable
• A draft research proposal (2 pages) for the PhD study, presenting ideas for the PhD-work and how it can be applied, based on the project description given in this advertisement. This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project
• 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, address and contact information of three referees
• Documentation of English language proficiency (if applicable)
• Publications or other relevant research work if available

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 Mari-Ann Einarsrud (telephone +4748136521, email: mari-ann.einarsrud@ntnu.no). 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Marie Kristiansen, e-mail: marie.kristiansen@ntnu.no. 

Application deadline: 25.08.2026

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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.