LEDIG STILLING VED UIT NORGES ARKTISKE UNIVERSITET
Phd Fellow in Novel Materials for The Built Environment
Deadline: 05.05.2024
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus comprehensive university at the international forefront. Our vision is to be a driving force for developing the High North. The Northern Sami notion eallju, which means eagerness to work, sets the tone for this motive power at UiT. Along with students, staff and the wider community, we aim to utilise our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio and interdisciplinary advantage to shape the future.
Our social mission is to provide research-based education of high quality, perform artistic development and carry out research of the highest international quality standards in the entire range from basic to applied. We will convey knowledge about disciplines and contribute to innovation. Our social mission unites UiT across various studies, research fields and large geographical distances. This demands good cooperation with trade and industry and civil society as well as with international partners. We will strengthen knowledge-based and sustainable development at a regional, national and international level.
Academic freedom and scientific and ethical principles form the basis for all UiT’s activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency and good processes will provide the decision-making basis we need to make wise and far-sighted priorities. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Founded on academic integrity, we will be courageous, committed and generous in close contact with disciplines, people and contemporary developments.
We will demonstrate adaptability and seek good and purposeful utilisation of resources, so we are ready to meet the expectations and opportunities of the future. We will strengthen the quality and impact of our disciplines and core tasks through the following three strategic priority areas.
The position will be affiliated with the Department of Building, Energy and Material Technology, and the PhD candidate will be part of the research group Department of Building, Energy and Material Technology (BEaM). The research group conducts applied research in fields such as sustainable buildings, renewable energy, hydrogen technology and Fuel Cells. More information can be found here.
The position is for a period of four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % each year and will consist of teaching and other duties. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.
The workplace is at UiT in Narvik. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.
The project
Thermal energy storage (TES) is an economical way of storing and using thermal energy when needed. PCM (phase change materials) systems have higher energy storage capacity than the systems storing only sensible heat. The most common examples of PCMs are fatty acids, salt hydrates, and esters, and paraffins. PCMs can be used in many fields to store thermal energy such as passive buildings and, temperature-adaptable greenhouse, solar energy storage, smart thermal insulation, etc. thereby contributing to combat climate change effects and reducing carbon footprint.
For thermal storage, important thermophysical parameters of the PCMs are melting temperature, latent heat, temperature range and thermal conductivity. These properties can further be enhanced by using nano particles in conventional PCMs. The nanofluid concept was first introduced back in 19951,2, which consisted of producing a mixture (nanoparticles doped in PCM) with enhanced thermophysical properties. To promote the prospects of wider application of PCMs, especially in cold environment there is a need to provide economical and high-performance phase change materials for buildings and other applications requiring thermal energy systems.
This proposed project aims to employ nanotechnology to develop nano phase change materials which can enhance the potential of thermal conductivity, low cost, and optimized thermal performance as a thermal energy storage system for building in cold climate regions, such as the Arctic region. The effects of nanomaterials, such as nano tubes/particles, on the potential of nano phase change materials for thermal energy storage for buildings in the Arctic will be studied. The proposed project is to deal with fabrication, physio-chemical characterization and thermal properties of nano phase change material based on polymer nanocomposites for thermal energy storage. Research tasks involve experimental work as well as developing models for studying PCM materials for building applications.
Contact
For further information about the position, please contact:
This position requires a master’s degree or equivalent in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, or other relevant disciplines and any other requirements. Previous publications on a relevant topic are meritorious. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply.
Applicants must document fluency of in English and be able to work in an international environment. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma. Working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is also beneficial.
In addition, knowledge and training in the following fields are desirable:
Experience with lab work such as design of experiments, measurement, standards, testing, experimental procedures,
Data processing using standard software and/or writing own programs.
Using simulation software (CFD, Ansys, MATLAB etc.)
Strong analytical skills
Knowledge of these needs to be documented, and GPA (grade point average) and translation rules for the European Standardized Character System must follow the application.
Moreover, knowledge in physics, project leadership, pedagogic, scientific writing and Linux would be advantageous. It is important that the applicant has a suitable background and is motivated to work with the project.
The applicant must present a short essay (up to 1 page, excluding references) on the proposed work for the PhD. The essay should also outline the applicant's area of interest and motivation for completing a PhD at UiT in Narvik.
In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. The essay will also be considered. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.
We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position.
We are looking for candidates who:
Is a good team player.
Has good communication skills.
Wants to contribute to a good working environment
As many people as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.
Admission to the PhD programme
For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.
Admission normally requires:
A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS.
A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 30 ECTS for a master's degree of 120 ECTS.
A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 20 ECTS for an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS.
UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.
In order to gain admission to the programme, applicants with a background from a Norwegian institution should have a minimum grade of C on their master thesis and a weighted grade average of 3.0 for the last two years of their master programme. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here.
Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from NOKUT. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree.
If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position.
Inclusion and diversity
UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.
If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.
We offer
Involvement in an interesting research project
Good career opportunities
A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
Pension scheme through the state pension fund
PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 532 200 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase
Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.
More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here.
Application
Your application must include:
Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
CV
Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
Transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
Master’s thesis, and any other academic works (published or unpublished) he/she wants to be considered in the assessment
Essay (max 1 page, excluding references)
Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. You may still apply if you are in the final stages of the master’s degree, but the master’s thesis must be submitted for evaluation within the application deadline. You must submit the thesis and transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.
All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline.
General information
The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.
The engagement is to be made in accordance with 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.
After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.
Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.
A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years.
We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure.
