PhD Candidate in Particle Engineering

This is NTNU

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.

About the job

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

This position will be hosted by the Particle Engineering Centre at the Department of Chemical Engineering. The basis for the research in the Centre is an extensive experience at the department within particle synthesis and characterization, which was put into practical application as part of the COVID-19 test method developed at NTNU (https://www.ntnu.edu/ntnu-covid-19-test) in 2020.

The objective of the Centre is to advance the scientific knowledge within fundamental and applied particle engineering within three thematic areas - nanomedicine, hydrometallurgy & battery recycling and environmental applications. The broader thematic area of this PhD position is within nanoparticles in biomedicine with special focus on particle design and characterization.

This is an open PhD position where the candidate is expected to submit a research proposal that 

1. fits within the nanomedicine thematic research area of the Centre 
2. Covers between 3-4 of the following research topics:
   1. Flash nanoprecipitation
   2. Polymeric nanocarriers/magnetic nanoparticles
   3. Endosomal escape mechanisms/Targeted drug delivery
   4. Characterization
   5. Formation mechanisms
   6. Mathematical modelling

In the proposal, the candidate is expected to: 

• Summarize the state-of-the art of the research area and describe the knowledge needs and challenges that justify the initiation of such work within the proposed project. 
• State the overall project objectives and aims in the context of the state of the art and knowledge needs. 
• Describe in detail the research questions and/or hypotheses and how the candidate’s previous/current research experience will help achieve these. 
• Describe thoroughly the theoretical approach and/or methodology chosen to address the project objectives, research questions and/or hypotheses. 
• Provide a brief overview of research infrastructure and other resources that will be essential for carrying out the proposed project. 

Some general guidelines for the proposal that must be followed. 

• The proposal is not to exceed 5 pages, including the list of references. 
• The page format must be A4 with 2 cm margins, single spacing and Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman or similar 11-point font. 
• It is permitted to use 9-point font for the list of references and figure captions. 
• Links that are listed in the proposal will not be included in the assessment. 

Evaluation criteria for the proposal. 

• Thought process in developing new research ideas with a clear understanding of the research gaps. (60%) 
• Writing and communication skills. (20%) 
• Ambitions with respect to the PhD position. (20%)

Your immediate leader is Particle Engineering Centre Manager.

Duties of the position

• The research work will involve: 
  • Synthesis and control of properties of nanoparticles using bottom-up approaches 
  • Synthesis of polymers and/or polymeric nanoparticles 
  • Characterization using state-of-the art infrastructure at Particle Engineering Core Facility, NTNU NanoLab and laboratories in Department of Chemical Engineering. 
  • Functionalization and testing of selected nanoparticles for applications in biomedicine.
• The PhD will be an integral part of the Particle Engineering Centre. The candidate is expected to participate actively in various centre-related activities, including mentoring and co-supervision of master/bachelor students. More information about the centre can be found here.
• The candidate is expected to be flexible regarding short-term or long-term international research stays.
• Travelling to conferences, meetings, workshops may be expected as part of the position.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Chemistry or related fields.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, 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.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program
• You must have strong experimental background in synthesis and functionalization of nanoparticles via bottom-up approaches or synthesis and functionalization of polymers/polymeric nanoparticles.  
• You must have proven experience in characterization techniques such as electron microscopy, spectroscopy, light scattering, etc. 
• You must have knowledge and/or previous experience in biomedical applications such as biosensing, diagnostics, imaging and/or drug delivery. 
• You must be able to demonstrate a solid background in data and/or statistical analysis.
• You should have the willingness to design and build equipment and scientific instruments.
• You must possess good written and oral English language skills.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant 

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge in mathematical modelling or simulations especially in investigating particle formation mechanisms.
• Hands-on experience in cell cultures or molecular biology methods.

Personal characteristics

• Positive, creative, result oriented and enthusiastic.
• Seeks new challenges at work.
• Has keen interest working in interdisciplinary teams.
• Communicates information and results with clarity and ease, both orally and in writing.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years. 

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

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. 

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

• CV and certificates
• 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.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have 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.
• Project proposal
• Name and contact information of three referees
• 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. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short 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 is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation 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.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself 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 reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Sulalit Bandyopadhyay, telephone +4745071041, email sulalit.bandyopadhyay@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Merete Thyholdt, email merete.thyholdt@ntnu.no
 

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.