PhD on modelling thermal cracking of oxides to reuse aluminium powder in 3D printing

This is NTNUNTNU 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, 8,6000 employees and 44,000 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHQjc4ndas&t=41sAbout the positionAre 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. A PhD position within the frame of the European project ALPROCAM (with NTNU, Brunel University, Technische Universitat Clausthal, Phoenix Scientific Industries, Acondicionamiento Tarrasense Associacion) is offered at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The funding is 3 years. Your immediate Line Manager will be the Head of Department. About the projectCurrently, when aluminum powder is used in 3D printing, it degrades and develops a crusty outer layer, making it difficult to reuse. Instead of tHRowing it away or using harsh chemicals and extreme energy to clean it, the European ALPROCAM project uses a physical approach that allows to restoring old, used aluminum powder back to perfect, brand-new quality. The goal is to eliminate the need for toxic chemicals, save energy, and open the door to fully recycling aluminum and other metals in modern manufacturing. The ALPROCAM project aims at making additive manufacturing products more sustainable, cheaper and environmentally friendly.  The PhD position will focus on modelling the thermal expansion and cracking of powder used for the 3D printing. Crystal plasticity and continuum plasticity models in finite element software will be adapted and used.  The work will include collaboration with European partners and a researcher at NTNU who will perform material characterization and testing.  Duties of the positionComplete doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above Academic publications and popular science dissemination Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions Required selection criteriaStrong background with experience with numerical/mathematical modelling and simulations of continuum and preferable also crystal plasticity using finite element software. You must have a Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, 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's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position. 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's Doctoral Programme (https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd), see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information. Experience with model implementation/programming in Fortran, C/C++, Python or similar computer languages. Good written and oral English language and communication skills.  The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position. Preferred selection criteriaAn educational background which also includes hands-on experience with crystal and/or continuum plasticity models and finite element method simulations. Competence related to fracture and damage modelling. Personal characteristicsCreativity, with a strong ability to work goal-oriented and independently. Good skills to deliver oral and written presentations of research results. He/she should also enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in working in project teams. Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. We offerEvaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position. 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 Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU training during working hours and company sports at NTNU As a public employee, you have favourable benefits 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. DiversityDiversity 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. Salary and conditionsIn the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,-per annum. 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 Materials Science and Engineering (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phmt) within tHRee months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme tHRoughout the period of employment. The position is conditional on external funding. 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 bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed. About the applicationThe 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 CV and certificates 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 cover letter describing your motivation for the position, a summary of scientific experience and how the applicant sees their background as suitable (1-2 pages max). Applicants from non-English-speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test. Approved tests are TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) 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. 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. 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 informationA 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 Bjørn Holmedal +47 90084946, email bjorn.holmedal@NTNU.no, or Assoc. Professor Tomas Manik, e-mail tomas.manik@NTNU.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Marie Kristiansen, email: mare.kristiansen@NTNU.no.  Application deadline: 13.12.2026 ----------------- 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.