About the position

 A PhD Researcher Fellow position in chemical engineering for a new zero emission aluminium production process is available. The PhD candidate will be part of our team at the Department of Chemical Engineering at NTNU, and work on the ZEAL research project financed by The Research Council of Norway and Hydro.

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

The Project

The ZEAL project is a part of Hydro’s development path for HalZero – a zero-emission electrolysis process which is an important part of Hydro's climate strategy to create a sustainable aluminum process for the future.  The HalZero process is based on aluminium chloride electrolysis with CO2 capture and recycling as an integrated part of the process. In the ZEAL project, four PhD candidates at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering will work closely together on different topics related to the new process in collaboration with their supervisors, Hydro and SINTEF.

This PhD candidate will focus on the liquid/gas/solid phase transitions in a separation unit to understand the optimal operation window in the new process. Through advanced numerical simulations supported by experimental data, the PhD candidate will achieve relevant knowledge of the separation process of CO2 and aluminium chloride for enabling optimal design. For the position as a PhD candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree. Additional information about the research group can be found here.

Duties of the position

The PhD candidate will through experimental and numerical studies participate in the identification of the optimal conditions for the separation unit in the HalZero process together with the ZEAL team. The PhD student will participate in planning and conducting experiments and develop new numerical models according to the project objectives with support from the supervisors and the team. The numerical simulations will involve multicomponent multiphase flow, with focus on gas-liquid-solid phase transitions.  The results of the project are expected to be published in scientific journals and at conferences as well as presented to research partners in the ZEAL project.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in chemical engineering, physics, or similar, with an emphasis on reactor technology, fluid flow dynamics (CFD), transport phenomena and thermodynamics.
• You must be familiar with advanced numerical simulations, preferably also with multiphase flows, e.g., gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid systems.
• 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.
  • Master students who expect to complete their studies by summer 2023 are encouraged to apply. Employment will then be postponed until the Master's degree is finished.
• 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 and have good communication skills

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  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

A strong background and hands-on experience with gas-liquid-solid systems from a theoretical and practical point of view. The ideal candidate has a strong background in chemical engineering in the field of fluid flow dynamics, transport phenomena and thermodynamics. Furthermore, the candidate has a good understanding of running complex numerical simulations and experiments. Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is considered as a plus.

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified for the PhD position, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal suitability. The candidate should:

• be creative and innovative
• take responsibility for own progress and can 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 personal skills like a positive and friendly attitude and contributing to a sustainable social environment

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• collaboration with industry and SINTEF
• 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 501 200 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 (which can be extended to 4 years with teaching duties).
Starting date: August 2023.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Chemical Engineering 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.

The position is subject to external funding.

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