PhD Research Fellow in Ground Mounted PV power plants focusing on Nordic conditions
Deadline: 31.05.2026
Publisert
Universitetet i Agder har over 1500 ansatte og nesten 14 000 studenter. Det gjør oss til en av Sørlandets største arbeidsplasser. Våre ansatte forsker, underviser og formidler kunnskap fra alle sine fagområder.
Universitetet holder til på to moderne campuser i Kristiansand og Grimstad.
About the position
A 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in Ground Mounted PV power plants focusing on Nordic conditions, affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of three years. The position is located at Campus Grimstad.
The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.
Responsibilities
This PhD project is part of the national research centre FME-SOLAR. FME SOLAR is a national research center for solar power, focusing on photovoltaics (PV). It is jointly funded by the Research Council of Norway and our partners. FME SOLAR is dedicated to supporting the broad PV industry, the public sector and society in Norway by providing competence and cutting edge R&D in this very important field.
The PhD-project will contribute to knowledge about ground-mounted photovoltaic power plants in the Nordics, where two key challenges are to be investigated during the PhD; the impact of (1) ground type and (2) terrain on PV system design, performance and reliability.The end goal is to enable cost reduction of ground mounted PV power plants.
The candidate will investigate solutions suitable for typical Nordic environments. In the Nordic regions, areas suitable for ground-mounted PV can include rocks, sand, marsh, moraine, often in complex mixtures and terrain. The systems must withstand natural variations in wind, rain and snow, while maximizing power production and reliability, and minimizing impact on nature.
Master's degree in renewable energy, civil engineering, electrical engineering, or related field (relevance to position must be highlighted in application).
Documented knowledge of photovoltaic systems through specific courses or thesis/publications.
Written and spoken English proficiency. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5
The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 550 800 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
General information
UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.
The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.
A background check may be conducted to verify information that appears in available documents. Background checks are always done with the applicant's consent, and employment in the position requires an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information.
Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.
Application
The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".
The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:
Certificates with grades
Master’s thesis
References
Academic work and R&D projects, as well as a list of these
Project description with a maximum scope of 2 pages, including reference list. The outline should present and discuss possible research questions, theory perspectives, material, a progress plan, and methods relevant to the position advertisment
Any other relevant documentation
The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.
