PhD Candidate in Methodology Development for Utilisation of Mining Waste (waste rock and tailings)

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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

The Department of Geosciences (IGV) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a full-time PhD Candidate in Methodology Development for Utilisation of Mining Waste (waste rock and tailings) - IV-28/26. The successful candidate will join an international and interdisciplinary research environment within the Mining Engineering Research Group at NTNU, working closely with researchers, PhD candidates, and industrial partners focused on sustainable mineral technologies for the future.

The Mining Engineering Research Group at NTNU provides a dynamic and collaborative working environment with access to advanced laboratory infrastructure and strong links to academia and industry. The position offers excellent opportunities for scientific development, international collaboration, conference participation, and contribution to research supporting the green and circular transition.

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, and the main supervisor will be Associate Professor Maria Thornhill.

About the project

The PhD project will address the challenges of using, reusing or recycling mining waste (waste rock and tailings) from the Norwegian mining industry. This represents one of the industry’s main challenges. It is necessary to work towards better solutions to maximise the utilisation of the resources and minimise the negative environmental impact. 

Developing mining waste into products is complicated by diffuse and partially counterproductive technical, legal and economic factors. Hence, it is important to map the relevant framework (the sum of the contributing factors) and identify the critical framework conditions by performing a systematic conceptual study. 

First, the project aims to identify and analyse the challenges that may prevent utilisation or lead to sub-optimal use. Secondly, it will take a critical look at the information needs and the availability of the information needed to develop different product categories or allow specific uses. Thirdly, the project proposes the use of cost-benefit analysis to identify, evaluate and propose facilitating measures. The latter may include information and communication measures, legal or political measures or technological solutions for specific resources. 

The project will ultimately result in a set of guidelines, protocols or screening tests for developing uses for mining waste based on its characteristics.  This would allow mining companies to explore their possibilities in a more cost efficient manner, hopefully increasing utilisation of the mineral resource.

The project will interact with the Norwegian mining industry to exchange knowledge and information and to develop the specific project activities. 

The successful candidate will become part of the newly established MIN30 initiative at the NTNU Mineral Centre, a strategic research initiative focused on securing the future supply of critical minerals through sustainable and innovative technologies. The centre covers the entire mineral value chain, including exploration and resource characterisation, mineral processing and extraction, by-product utilisation, recycling, metal production, and environmental aspects associated with sustainable and responsible resource development. The MIN30 initiative will recruit several PhD candidates working on both fundamental studies and industrial applications related to future mineral and mining technologies and -methodologies. The candidate hired in this position will be integrated with other PhD candidates and researchers within the centre.

Duties of the position

The PhD candidate will investigate the framework for utilising mining waste. Main research tasks include:

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
• Take responsibility for the progress of the research project and for developing an industrial network.
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above.
• Participate in the Mining Engineering Research Group.  
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at external institutions.
• Collaboration with other PhD candidates and industrial partners within the MIN30 initiative 
• Dissemination of research through scientific publications and presentations at national and international conferences.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Mining or mineral processing, materials science or chemistry, industrial ecology, or a relevant degree in geology or geoscience. 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 01.09.2026. 
• 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 Engineering Doctoral programme: PhD in Engineering (Doctoral Programme) 3 years - Trondheim - NTNU
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills.
• Good social skills and networking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.

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

• Research Publications: A record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant scientific journals and/or conference presentations.
• Experience of working with industry.
• Interdisciplinary experience.
• Presentation Skills: Demonstrated ability to present research findings effectively at scientific conferences.
• Familiarity with mining industry and especially the Norwegian mining industry will be seen as an advantage.
• Familiarity with a Scandinavian language will be seen as an advantage.

Personal characteristics

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

• Motivation and a proactive attitude towards research challenges, with a passion for problem solving and advancing scientific knowledge.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic research environment.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
• Commitment to research integrity and ethical conduct in scientific investigations.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a creative and innovative mindset.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• 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
• 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)
• 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 employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organised 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 organisational 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:

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• Curriculum vitae (CV) 
• 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.
• A note containing your own proposals and ideas for both research questions and methodology (maximum 1200 words/3 pages). 
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• List of relevant publications etc., other relevant research work.
• Any relevant certificates.
• 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 Associate Professor Maria Thornhill, email: maria.thornhill@ntnu.no .

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Eli Meistad, Senior Adviser HR, email: eli.meistad@ntnu.no .

Application deadline: 10.07.2026

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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.