Ph.D. student position in adapting solar energy technologies for use in Arctic climate
Deadline: 10.09.2021
UNIS
UNIS is the world's northernmost educational institution, located in Longyearbyen. UNIS has technical and scientific equipment, laboratories and infrastructure well suited for teaching and research in Arctic natural science and technology for sea, land and atmosphere.
The disciplines include Arctic Biology, - Geophysics, - Geology and - Technology. All courses are taught in English, and about half of the staff and students are from abroad. UNIS is a state-owned corporation. The administrative language is Norwegian.
Longyearbyen is located in Svalbard, in the midst of a varied and beautiful Arctic nature with good opportunities for outdoor activities. Longyearbyen is a modern town with approx. 2200 inhabitants and has a good service offering including kindergartens, swimming / sports hall and a varied association, sports and cultural life.
General
The department of Arctic Technology at UNIS, together with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), seeks a Ph.D. student for a full-time four-year position in adapting solar energy technologies for use in Arctic climate. The Department of Arctic Technology currently has two Professors, one Associate Professor, two Ph.D. students and 13 Adjunct Professors. The department conducts education and research in ice mechanics, offshore engineering, loads and structures, geotechnics, environmental technology and toxicology, arctic safety and renewable energy solutions. The department provides 16 courses at Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. level.
Description of the vacant position
Renewable energy is a new prioritized theme in Svalbard and of global impotance due to the goal to reduce the current dependency on fossil fuels. Several Svalbard companies are shifting to more environmentally friendly alternatives, including wind and solar energy. Construction of these systems in the Arctic poses unique logistical and technical challenges due to the extreme Arctic environment, for example, weather, snow, ice, permafrost, isolation, and remoteness.
To support the move of the Longyearbyen energy system from fossil fuels to renewables, the Department of Arctic Technology, together with NTNU, is now seeking a Ph.D. student. The focus of the Ph.D. students project will be on adapting solar energy technologies for use in Arctic climate. Such adaptation requires assessment of the environmental loads, construction foundation solutions as well as developing control and steering systems to optimize production for remote off-grid regions.
The potential of solar panels and solar heat collectors will be assessed using trial prototypes. Numerical modeling, reanalysis of data, and machine learning are expected to be used to build a system that must operate in regions with strong seasonality (e.g., polar night and short summer period). Borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) is being considered as seasonal storage for Longyearbyen. In-situ tests combining solar heat collectors and BTES might form an element of the project. The Ph.D. student will be expected to develop a project within one of these areas.
The Ph.D. student will be involved in ongoing and new projects around Longyearbyen and other locations in Svalbard and will work together with local partner organizations, some of whom are investigating business opportunities within green energy also in other Arctic regions. Further, through NTNU, the Ph.D. student will be involved in other international collaborations with industry and institutions outside Svalbard.
Qualifications and personal qualities
Applicants must have a strong academic background and hold a M.Sc. in one of the following; Environmental/Energy engineering, Applied mathematics, Applied physics, Mechanics, Structural engineering (Dynamics), Meteorology, or a related subject directly relevant. Candidates in the finalization phase of their master thesis work may be considered if they can document that they are particularly suitable for this position. Knowledge of renewable energy meteorology in cold climates is an advantage as well as general knowledge of renewable hybrid energy systems. Experience of field work, especially in cold climates, and working with observational and numerical model data is an advantage. Additionally, scientific writing including authorship of scientific publications is beneficial.
Applicants must be able to work independently, in a structured manner, and demonstrate good collaborative skills. The applicant must be proficient in both written and spoken English and, due to local Norwegian company cooperation partners, it is considered a major strength if the candidate is fluent in a Scandinavian language to enable efficient collaboration. The successful candidate will be subject to a security control.
Motivation and personal suitability will be emphasized. To allow assessment of this, a statement of personal and scientific interest in taking a Ph.D. degree, including an outline of a Ph.D. project idea, must be included in the application.
Employment conditions
The total duration of the Ph.D. position is four years, of which 25% comprises teaching duties at UNIS, including supervision of M.Sc. students.
All salaries are set in accordance with the Norwegian government's University salary scale. Ph.D. candidates start in salary steps 54, which is a gross salary of NOK 481.800,-. As a resident in Svalbard an annual allowance of NOK 34.560.- (Svalbardtillegg) will be added to the salary. A Social Security contribution of 2%, to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, will be deducted from the salary. Income tax on Svalbard is 8%, plus 8.2% toward National Insurance coverage.
About the research training
The candidate must satisfy the enrolment requirements for the doctoral degree program at NTNU. The Ph.D. position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background and a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they are particularly suitable candidates for education leading to a Ph.D. degree. A plan for the implementation of the research training must be approved by the faculty. The candidate is expected to complete relevant courses as part of the formal Ph.D. training.
– why and how you wish to complete the project, including research questions, research methods and hypothesized results
– what makes you suitable for the project
CV (including a complete overview of education, professional training and professional work)
Name and contact information for two or more references
Your language skills
Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees, or official confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted
Relevant certificates/academic references
A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)
Any peer review publications in your name
A copy of the master thesis
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded in Jobbnorge.
Selection and appointment
A committee will evaluate the qualifications of the applicants, and invite the highest ranked person(s) for an interview. The appointment will be made by the Director of UNIS based on the recommendation from the committee.
