PhD Fellowship in Advanced Material Technology

There is a vacancy for a PhD position at the Department of Mechanical, Electrical Chemical engineering (MEK) at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Desig ( TKD ), in the field of Advanced Materials Technology, related to the project “Micromanufacturing and Energy Materials”. The PhD candidate will be part of the research group Mechanical, Mechatronics and Materials Technology (M3T), as well as GreenMet – OsloMet Green Energy Laboratory. The position is for a period of three years, and the person appointed should preferably take up the position as soon as possible.

Area of research

The development of new materials and manufacturing techniques is crucial in the Green Shift and to achieve many of the sustainable development goals set by the UN. Developing a sustainable, fully renewable economy depends on finding highly efficient and affordable materials and technologies. The efficiency and cost of renewable energy is currently limited by the capabilities of available materials. To break through these limitations, it is vital to explore the hidden potential of materials in the nanoscale. 

The decarbonization of many energy-consuming human activities is now a realistic possibility. This will require the largescale electrification of sectors such as energy production, industrial activities, and transportation, and the use of renewable energies and clean fuels. Since many renewable energy sources are intermittent, reliable energy storage will be crucial to this transition. Consequently, great technological leaps forward in batteries (standard and fuel cells) and green hydrogen generation are imperative for the reduction of human carbon emissions, both areas relying on new materials. 

The most used batteries rely on liquid electrolytes based on organic solvents, which leads to safety risk due to their potential for leakage and combustion. Solid-state electrolytes are a safer alternative: they are non-flammable and more electrochemically stable. They also allow for the use of lithium and sodium metals as the anode, and can be stacked in multiple layers, thus increasing the energy density of Li and Na ion batteries. Therefore, solid-state electrolytes are promising candidates for the next generation of electrolyte materials to replace liquid electrolytes.

Electrospray deposition and electrospinning are techniques that allow depositing micro-/nano-scale droplets, particles and fibers with high quality and repeatability, as well as removing material at fast rates through surface particle bombardment. This project will study the use of these techniques for the development of advanced energy materials.

The PhD project “Micromanufacturing and Energy Materials” has two main goals: 

1. Researching, and developing techniques to modify the submicron-structure of materials, including microfabrication, surface treatment and deposition, based on electrospray/electrospinning.
2. Application of these techniques to the synthesis of nanocomposite materials for use in energy storage (batteries, e.g. polymer-ceramic nanocomposites for solid-state electrolytes).

Required Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate who has:

• A Master`s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or other relevant fields with 120 ECTS or equivalent with an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E passing of grades, and bachelor’s degree in the same fields with an average grade of C and higher
• Excellent written and spoken English

Candidates who already hold a PhD in the same or similar field ,can not apply. 

Desired Skills

It would be advantageous if you possess one or more of the following:

• Experience with experimental scientific methods.
• Ability to use numerical simulations tools and programming language such as Python/MATLAB for the prediction of mechanical/electrical properties of materials.
• Knowledge in electro-hydrodynamics: electrospray atomization, electrosprays, electrospinning, or related phenomena.
• Experience with materials characterization, particularly with one or more of the following techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV), Galvanometric Charge Discharge (GCD).
• Knowledge and/or experience in the synthesis and deposition of materials, particularly polymer-based nanocomposites.
• Knowledge/experience in materials research for energy storage.

We are looking for applicants who

• Are ability to work independently and in a team
• Are highly motivated and goal oriented
• Have capacity to conduct and report research in a structured way
• Have good communication skills
• Have strong analytical skills
• Have good abilities in problem-solving and understanding new theory
• Are keen learner with scientific curiosity and eagerness to develop in the research field

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavors to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required. You are also welcomed to apply for a position with us if you have experienced periods where you have not been in work, education, or training.

Application  

In order to be considered for the position you must upload the following documents together with your online application by the final date for the application: 

• Application letter, describing your motivations for applying to this fellowship as well as a short overview of the qualifications, technical skills, experience, and personal skills that make you an attractive candidate for a successful and productive completion of this work.
• CV and copies of diplomas/certificates including all grades.
• Copy of MSc thesis.
• A letter of motivation where you describe why you apply for this project and what makes you especially suited to finish a PhD (500-1000 words).
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, email, and telephone number).
• Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to include a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree: https://ec.europa.eu/education/diploma-supplement_en
• Applicants from countries where English is not the first language must present an official language test report. The following tests qualify as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test).
    • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test is accepted)
• The following applicants are exempt from the above-mentioned language requirements:
  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries
  • Applicants who have completed one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA
  • Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. The application must state your reasons for applying to the project and what makes you particularly qualified to carry out this PhD work.

All the documents must be written in English or a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish or Danish). Any translations must be authorized by government. Originals must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunity for professional development within a stimulating interdisciplinary research environment combining materials technology, nanotechnology, and energy materials
• Participation in an active research group, with support from the platform GreenMet – OsloMet’s Green Energy Laboratory
• The opportunity to participate in various international research networks
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund
• Good employee welfare arrangements
• Free Norwegian classes to employees
• Working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

Salary is set in accordance with the Norwegian State Salary Scale, position code 1017 PhD Fellowship, NOK 532.200. By law 2% of the salary is deducted as to the Norwegian State Pension Fund.

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Rafael Borrajo, +47 67 23 60 97
• Head of Research at MEK, Tore Gimse, +47 67 23 72 81

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 criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to OsloMet. 

OsloMet has adhered to the principles in the DORA declaration (sfdora.org/read/) and obliged the institution to follow the recommendations in this declaration.

If you would like to apply for the position, you must do so electronically through our recruitment system.