PhD Research Fellow in Ultrasound Tranducer Technology
Deadline: 07.02.2021
University of South-Eastern Norway
The University of South-Eastern Norway, USN, is one of Norway’s largest higher education institutions, with around 18,000 students and 1,900 employees across eight different campuses.
We offer studies, research and knowledge dissemination, all targeting various professions and working life and with a high level of quality internationally. Our goal as a University is to create value both for the individual student and for business and commerce, the public sector and society in general. We achieve this by utilising the best tools we have: education and research.
USN is a University with a strong social commitment where studies and working life are integrated. At USN, we focus on practice-relevant, profession-oriented and applied research and education.
The students shall benefit from innovative educational methods and challenging studies closely associated with society's requirements and needs. They will learn how to adapt to a society and working life that is constantly changing. The University shall meet major social challenges with knowledge and expertise, helping to promote practical solutions, structural changes and new ways of thinking. USN’s academic activities shall be embodied by a clear dedication to the UN’s sustainable development goals. The University aims to realise this main profile in close cooperation with society and working life.
For more information on USN, please go to www.usn.no
The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences have a vacancy for a position as PhD Research Fellow in Ultrasound Tranducer Technology
About the position
The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences has a vacancy for one position as PhD Research Fellow in ultrasound transducer technology.
The positions are located at the Department of Microsystems and reports to the Head of Department. The place of employment is USN Campus Vestfold, located at Bakkenteigen between Tønsberg and Horten.
The PhD project is part of the research center "Center for Innovative Ultrasound Solutions", CIUS. This is a Center for Research-based Innovation (SFI) appointed by the Norwegian Research Council where industry, healthcare providers and academia collaborate to develop the next generation of ultrasound solutions. For more information, see the CIUS web site http://www.ntnu.edu/cius. All research done in CIUS is industry-orientated, and the candidates will work in close contact with partners from the Norwegian industry.
About the PhD-project
USN has an active ultrasound research group centred around ultrasound transducer laboratory on Campus Vestfold. The new PhD candidate will be part of this research group. The group consists of one professor, one adjunct professor (20%), four PhD-students and a varying number of master students. We publish our results in international scientific journals and work closely with industrial partners. Our research topics are design, fabrication and characterization of ultrasound transducers for use in medical diagnostics, underwater sonar and industrial inspection. A tentative topic for the announced PhD-position is piezoelectric transducers for very high temperatures, aimed at inspection of industrial processes and in geothermal wells.
Central topic of the PhD-project will be:
Design, theoretical modelling and computer simulation of novel ultrasound transducer concepts
Fabricate and test novel ultrasound transducer concepts in the laboratory
Compare theoretical end experimental results
Interact with industry and research partners to discuss requirements, challenges and solutions for real-life application of the transducers
The appointment is for a period of three years. The position does not include teaching duties.
Qualifications
Applicants to the PhD position must have a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) equivalent higher education qualifications in physics, electronics, cybernetics, mathematics, micro- and nanotechnology or a related field. The degree must be accomplished before application deadline, and with degree B or higher.
It is a requirement that the successful applicant is granted admission to the university’s doctoral programme in Applied Micro- and Nanosystems within three months of accession in the position. For admission to the Programme the weighted average grade is B or higher is usually required.
Co-operation between staff members is an integrated part of the working atmosphere at the University of South-Eastern Norway. The candidate must be motivated and demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively within a team and in a collegiate manner to formulate and realize common objectives.
Personal suitability for the position will be emphasized. The PhD-candidate will be part of an active research group. He or she is expected to interact with the group members through discussions and meetings, to give and receive assistance in theoretical and practical challenges and to collaborate with external academic and industrial partners. The candidates must participate in and present their work at the bi-annual CIUS conferences.
Specific requirements for this position is:
Strong skills in physics and mathematics, knowledge of mechanics and electrical circuit theory
Knowledge of wave physics. Background in acoustics is preferred, but knowledge of electromagnetic waves, quantum physics, fluid mechanics, elasticity or similar can compensate for this
Experience with software tools for computer modelling and simulation. The ultrasound transducer lab uses MATLAB and COMSOL Multiphysics. Familiarity with these or equivalent tools is an advantage
Knowledge of piezoelectric theory is an advantage
In addition to the specific requirements above, evaluation of the candidates will be based on documented qualifications in the following fields:
Good analytical and theoretical skills
Good laboratory skills
Good English language presentation and writing skills
Knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an advantage
Ability to collaborate and interact in a research group and with external partners
Applicants are required to provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. Applicants outside the Scandinavian educational system may use the following tests as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Profiency in English (CPE).
We offer
A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
Opportunity for physical activities within working hours
Salary
PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 482 200 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position.
In special cases, employment in code 1378: NOK 482 200 - 618 600 a year may be considered.
A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.
Other information
The Academic Appointments Board is responsible for appointments to academic positions at University College of Southeast Norway. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. Short-listed candidates will be called in for interviews and must be prepared to present and discuss their projects.
The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that approved work permit is a prerequisite for the employment.
According to its human resources policy, the University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons with a background as an immigrant.
The University contributes to the Inkluderingsdugnaden (a voluntary scheme to promote inclusion), and it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. We therefore also encourage qualified applicants with disabilities to apply for the post. The University will facilitate the workplace for employees with disabilities.
The Department has few women/men appointed in scientific positions, and women/men are therefore particularly encouraged to apply.
Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.
Contact information
For more information about the position, please contact:
Professor Lars Hoff, phone: +47 31 00 93 11 at the Department of Microsystems
For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:
HR Advisor Kari L. Foss-Pedersen, email: kari.foss-pedersen@usn.no
How to apply
The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side – “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post).
The following documents shall be attached to the online application:
Transcrips and diplomas of Bacheror's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS)
Master’s thesis
A 1-page (maximum) motivation letter
Any scientific publications and a list of these
Three references (contact information)
Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified.
Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application.
The University has been awarded a Charter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.
