Main duties and responsibilities

  • Outbreaks of supraglacial lakes (dammed by ice or moraines) or subglacial lakes can lead to large flood events. These events are strongly affected by climate change. Through climate change and with the fact, that environmental changes are occurring with high speed in glacial regions, the lakes build up quickly. Hence, engineers must take fast design decisions for new or existing hydraulic infrastructure. These engineering decisions can often not include the back coupling to the nature’s reactions. But these local changes may influence the glaciated mountain regions on larger geographical scales.
  • The PhD candidate will work on the interface between process-based modelling and catchment modelling, including probabilistic interpretations. The aim is to achieve the input data for mitigation measure design and for required changes in existing infrastructure design. A back coupling of the changes through the infrastructure design to the catchment system must be included.
  • This will be a great step to support engineers building in dialogue with nature.

Qualification requirements

PhD candidate:

The PhD-position’s main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in Civil Engineering [focus: Hydraulic and Geotechnical Engineering] Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies 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 PhD degree.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, postdoctor and research assistant

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA.

Other qualifications

  • Excellent written and oral English skills
  • Motivation to deliver research results and disseminate these (written and oral)
  • Excellent organisation skills and high level of personal responsibility
  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment
  • Ability to work in an inter- and cross-disciplinary manner

Emphasis will also be placed on

  • Experience in numerical modelling and Geographical Information System
  • Experience in field measurements and model tests
  • Prior academic output
  • Prior relevant job experience

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD candidate:

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 before tax per year. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years . Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Civil Engineering.

As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and 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 criterias in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

General information

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

The national labour force must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent, NTNU wants to increase the proportion of women in its scientific posts. Women are encouraged to apply. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life (http://trondheim.com/). Having a population of 200 000, Trondheim is a small city by international standards with low crime rates and little pollution. It also has easy access to a beautiful countryside with mountains and a dramatic coastline.

Questions about the position can be directed to to Associate Professor Elena Pummer, e-mail: elena.pummer@ntnu.no

About the application:

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant’s contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI): http://www.chsi.com.cn/en/).

Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number IV-267/19 when applying.

Application deadline: 31.12.2019

NTNU – knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

We conduct research and teaching in civil and transportation engineering, technical planning, structural engineering, water and wastewater engineering and hydraulic engineering. Graduates from our programmes become employees – in both the public and private sectors – with a sustainability mindset combined with competitive knowledge and skills. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.