Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Global challenges regarding energy and climate change, the environment, health, food safety, technology and renewable solutions, use and conservation of land and natural resources, and development of the bio-economy, requires greater effort. NMBU is well equipped to conduct further research in these fields. NMBU's expertise spans entire value chains and includes both basic and applied research.

On 1 January 2014, the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science and the University of Life Sciences merged and became –NMBU, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. NMBU has 1700 employees and 5200 students, and is currently located on two campuses – Ås, about 30 km south of Oslo, and Adamstuen in Oslo. In 2020, the new research- and education-building for veterinary science will be completed and all of NMBU will then be located at Campus Ås.

Further information about NMBU is available on www.nmbu.no.

The Faculty of Science and Technology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3 year PhD–position related to the use of molten salts for thermochemical conversion of biomass into sustainable liquid biofuels.

The Faculty of Science and Technology (Realtek) has 130 employees, about 1,100 students and 60 PhD students. The faculty offers bachelor, master, and PhD degrees in natural sciences and engineering in the fields of environmental physics and renewable energy, building and architecture, water and environmental technology, machine, process- and product development, geomatics, and educational sciences. The workplace is in Ås, which is 30 km from Oslo.

Research project

The PhD candidate will contribute to a project funded by the Horizon 2020 programme (ABC-Salt: Advanced Biomass Catalytic Conversion to Middle Distillates in Molten Salts). The candidate will be part of a team of researchers at the Faculty, as well as international partners.

Main tasks

• Search for low melting point inorganic salt mixtures suitable for thermochemical conversion of biomass
• Theoretical and experimental investigation of possible chemical reactions between molten salts and agents forming from biomass conversion
• Evaluation of recycle opportunities such as electrolysis for spent molten salt
• Establishment of up-to-date phase diagrams for low temperature salt mixtures
• Disseminate the results in scientific papers and conferences

The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.

Academic qualifications

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are at master's degree level. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies, and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.

Required Academic qualifications

• Masters degree in applied physics, inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry or equivalent topics

Desired Academic qualifications

• Experience from laboratory work
• Experience in thermodynamic modelling of chemical reactions
• Experience in analytical chemistry techniques such as FTIR and/or electrolysis
• Experience in inorganic molten salt technology

Personal skills

Required personal skills

• Strong motivation for developing new technologies within renewable energy
• Analytical and academic approach to research questions
• Ability to work independently as well as to be a good team player
• Good communication skills
• Proficient in English – both written and oral

NMBU offers:

• An optimistic academic institution with focus on professional development, dissemination and competence.
• An interdisciplinary and inclusive environment that provides exciting research- and development opportunities.
• Daily contact with inspiring students and skilled colleagues.
• Various welfare schemes.
• Beautiful surroundings just outside Oslo.

Remuneration

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow, wage framework 20 (salary grade 36-62). PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 51 (NOK 449 400) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

Further information

For further information, please contact Heidi S. Nygård, Associate Professor, E-mail: heidi.nygard@nmbu.no

Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application deadline: 21.09.2018

Applications should include (electronically) a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, full publication list, copies of degree certificates and transcripts of academic records (all certified), and a list of two persons who may act as references (with phone numbers and e-mail addresses). Publications should be included electronically within the application deadline. The relevant NMBU Department may require further documentation, e.g. proof of English proficiency.

Printed material which cannot be sent electronically should be sent by surface mail to Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, within 21.09.2018. Please quote reference number 18/03931.

If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

A compulsory contribution of 2 % is made to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. A good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of gender, physical ability or cultural background. The workplace will if necessary be facilitated for persons with disabilities.

According to the Freedom of Information Act § 25 the list of applicants for this position may be made public irrespective of whether the applicant has requested that his/her name be withheld.

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