Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) has approximately 17,000 students and is one of the largest higher education institutions in Norway. The university offers a wide range of academic programmes at Bachelor, Master, and PhD levels across five campuses: Førde, Sogndal, Bergen, Stord, and Haugesund.

HVL’s ambition is to strengthen academic and research environments with an increasing international presence, supported by externally funded projects and international cooperation.

Department of Mechanical Engineering and Maritime Studies has 88 employees and over 70% hold a doctoral degree. We have 7 Bachelor’s programmes and 3 Master’s programmes offered. We have strong focus on R&D in energy, materials, and ocean/marine technology, state-of-the-art laboratories, including the ANCEHA Lab for energy materials synthesis and characterization, and the Hydrogen Lab, focused on fuel cell and electrolyzer systems. Strong collaboration with industry and public sectors.

PhD Research Fellow in Maritime Hydrogen Technologies with a Focus on Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells

At Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), there is a 100% temporary position available as a PhD Research Fellow in Maritime Hydrogen Technologies with a Focus on Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells

About the position:

A fully funded, 3-year PhD position in maritime hydrogen technology with a focus on protonic ceramic fuel cells is available at the Department of Mechanical and Maritime Studies, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL). The position is offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Bergen and the Space & Energy Technology Research Group at NORCE.

This PhD position is associated with the national research centre FME HyValue – Hydrogen Value Chain Research. The successful candidate will contribute to Work Package 3: Maritime application of hydrogen and hydrogen-carriers with focus on protonic ceramic fuel cells.

Start date: 15.12.2025 or by agreement.

Duration: 3 years.

Work location: Bergen

About the PhD project/ work tasks:

• Design, fabricate, and test electrochemical cells based on ceramic proton-conducting electrolytes (protonic ceramic fuel cells, PCFCs), with emphasis on advanced methods for synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of cell components.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of PCFCs from macroscopic to microscopic levels, integrating knowledge from materials science, physics, and chemistry.
• Complement experimental work with system-level modeling and simulation to bridge cell-level insights with broader system performance.
• Plan and conduct experiments using national and European research infrastructures.
• Participate in a research exchange stay up to 6 months at a partnering institution in Europe as an integral part of the PhD program.
• The candidate is expected to publish scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals. A minimum of three first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals is required to be eligible to submit the PhD thesis.
• Active participation in scientific conferences is encouraged. The candidate is also expected to engage in outreach activities that communicate research to the general public.
• Actively engage in the HVL Hydrogen Research Team and contribute to ongoing HyValue project activities.

Qualifications:

Master's degree (or equivalent) in materials science, materials engineering, or a closely related field, completed with a strong academic record (minimum C average or better on the ECTS grading system). Candidates who have submitted their thesis and will complete the final examination before the interview may apply. In such cases, the application must include a provisional supervisor assessment and an official transcript of completed coursework. The final grade for the Master’s degree must be available prior to the scheduled interview.

Solid knowledge of materials science and solid-state chemistry or/and electrochemistry.

Strong written and spoken English skills.

In addition to the required educational background, the following criteria will be evaluated: competence and grades on completed course work, quality of the master's thesis (excellent grade, equivalent of grade B or better on the ECTS grading system), publications (if any), communication skills, research and teaching experience, proficiency in information and communication technologies (ICT).

The candidate is expected to demonstrate diligence and independence, supplemented with regular guidance, conduct high-quality reserarch, present findings at seminars, workshops, and confrences, and publish results in peer-reviewed jounals

The PhD research fellow must enroll in the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Bergen, and must meet the the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen. The PhD candidate will be assigned two academic supervisors at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and one at the University of Bergen. An application for enrolment should first be submitted after an appointment is made and the supervisor(s) will help with this procedure. Admission to the PhD programme must be secured within two months of commencing the position. Employment is conditional on meeting the requirements for enrolment.

Applicants who cannot document proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 upon employment, must complete Norwegian language training equivalent to at least 15 ECTS credits by the end of the term of appointment. For terms shorter than four years, the term can be extended accordingly.

Desired:

• Background in ceramic process engineering (powder synthesis and ceramic component fabrication).
• Knowledge in the field of ceramic ionic conductors and electrochemical characterization techniques.
• Knowledge of fuel cell and electrolysis technologies.
• Experience with process modeling and simulation, e.g., of fuel cell propulsion systems.
• Strong written and spoken Norwegian skills are an advantage.
• A record of scientific publications is considered beneficial. 

Personal Qualities

• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and contribute innovative ideas.
• High level of professional commitment, a structured working style, and strong execution skills.
• Interest in tackling complex problems, continuous learning, and combining independent work with effective teamwork.

Application procedure:

Applications will be evaluated by an expert panel of three members.

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job” (“Søk stillingen”).

The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:

• Cover letter detailing your motivation and a summary of research experience from your Bachelor's and Master's studies.
• Master's thesis.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• Contact details for 2–3 referees.
• List of publications (if applicable).

If the documents submitted are not in a Scandinavian language or in English, the applicants must submit certified translations of these. The transcripts must specify the topics, the course works, and the grades at the bachelor`s and master`s degree levels. 

Applicants with a degree from a country other than Norway, need to attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcripts of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, in addition to the original documents, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant encloses a recognition document showing that their degree is equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD. You can read more about applying for recognition of foreign higher education here.

The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) offers an automatic recognition document for certain degrees from selected countries. If the applicant’s degree is covered by the automatic recognition, it will be sufficient to attach this document. Read more about automatic recognition here.

As the HK-dir application process may take some time it is recommended to apply to HK-dir as soon as possible. If you have not received a recognition document from HK- dir within the application deadline, please enclose documentation from HK-dir showing that they have received your application.

Applicants should note that the evaluation will be based on the documentation submitted electronically via Jobbnorge within the submission deadline. The applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the documentation is submitted before the closing date. It is of utmost importance that all publications to be considered in the evaluation are uploaded as an attachment with the application, since these are sent electronically to the expert panel. Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at the university.

Salary:

• Good occupational pension, insurance and loan schemes from The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Exciting academic environment with the possibility of competence enhancement and development
• Opportunities for training within the working hours 

The Research Fellow position is compensated according to position code 1017 Research Fellow.

There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

General information:

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State employees Law in Norway ("Lov om statens ansatte)". Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and gender composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.

Short-listed applicants will be called in for an interview.

Employed on condition that you are granted a work and residence permit.

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is subjected to The Export Control Regulation. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. 

Contacts:

• Associate Professor Yulia Arinicheva Skåtun, Email: yas@hvl.no 
• Head of Department Nils Ottar Antonsen, Email: noa@hvl.no

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