Researcher in Hydrogen compression via sustainable metal hydrides

About the position 

Researcher in Hydrogen compression via sustainable metal hydrides

Position as Researcher available at Department of Technology System (ITS).

 

The appointment is a full-time position and is for a period of 2 years. 

Preferred starting date as soon as possible, and no later than 1st of August 2026

Place of work is at Kjeller, Lillestrøm. 

Project description

Hydrogen compression is a key technology to drive the development of inte-grated hydrogen systems across the mobility, transport, industry, and energy sectors. Sustainable, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective hydrogen compres-sion solutions are essential to ensure hydrogen can be delivered at the required pressures for real-world applications. In this context, the candidate will perform the design, synthesis and characterization of multicomponent alloys aiming to obtain a non-toxic, safe, and sustainable metal hydride for hydrogen compres-sion. A close interaction with other European industry and research partners will upscale the compression solution based on the compositions designed and test-ed at the laboratory scale. The position is funded by the EU funded project Hy-CO2 which focuses on upscaling of a metal hydride compressor for flexible appli-cation ranges.
The research fellow will conduct research on topics such as:
•    Design of metal hydrides via thermodynamic computational tools such as the CALPHAD (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) method.
•    Synthesis of multicomponent alloys using different feedstocks with focus on performances, and sustainability of the metal hydrides. 
•    Structural characterization and hydrogen sorption analyses of alloys over a wide range of pressure conditions.

The candidate will be member of the group Materials and Technologies for Sus-tainable Energy at ITS, which conducts research in several national and EU pro-jects (e.g. HYDROGENi, HySchool, FAIR, SOLAR, AtLAST) addressing key chal-lenges related to, among other, the synthesis and characterization of materials for hydrogen-based stationary applications.

The research and innovation goals of HyCO2 will offer a unique opportunity to develop stationary hydrogen-based ideas towards sustainable aspects of the compression solution. With this project, the research fellow will expand competences in a growing field of global relevance and will be exposed to the development of new concepts, methods and technologies relevant to national and international stakeholders. 

 Qualifications 

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Qualification requirements:

•    Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in chemistry, physics, metallurgy, materials science, or related field with a strong emphasis on synthesis of new materials and alloys and their struc-tural characterization. Candidates must be in possession of a doctoral de-gree at the closing date of the application deadline, i.e., they have suc-cessfully defended their thesis.
•    Experience with alloy synthesis (e.g. arc melting, ball milling).
•    Experience with characterization techniques (e.g. X-ray diffraction, Scan-ning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, etc.).
•    Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Desired qualifications:
•    Familiarity with pressure-composition-temperature measurements using a Sieverts apparatus
•    Experience with Rietveld refinement
•    Experience with the CALPHAD method for the design of al-loys/intermetallic.
•    Good interpersonal and communication skills and show high level of mo-tivation to work as part of an international team
•    Candidates with a demonstrated record of high technical achievement and the ability to conduct creative, independent research will be given preference

All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanc-tions regulation, and the national security regulation.

What are we looking for in you? 

 Personal skills:

•    High interest in the topic and motivation to conduct impactful research.
•    Critical thinking, attitude for teamwork and knowledge sharing, capacity to work independently
•    Creativeness and proactiveness
•    Ability to write in a structured, clear and concise manner
•    Ability to take initiative and come up with new ideas to solve theoretical and practical problems
•    Good personal communication skills
•    Willingness to travel abroad for short periods of research to collaborative partners

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal skills.

We need different perspectives in our work 

UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.

We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues—could you be the next one?

We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.

If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps (Norwegian), we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).

The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports.

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

We hope you will apply for the position with us. 

 We can offer you

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment. 
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities. 
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Researcher, position code 1109 in salary range NOK from595 000 to 740 000 , depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

How to apply

Your application should include:
•    Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
•    CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity) 
•    Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
•    A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
•    Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Formal regulations

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we cannot, you will hear from us.

Please refer to  Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.
 

Contact persons: 

For further information please contact: prof. Sabrina Sartori, e-mail: sabrina.sartori@its.uio.no 

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no