PhD Candidate in Fatigue Assessment and Enhancement of Aluminium Welded Structures

Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU); Trondheim; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme

Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

Norwegian language training

Job summary

NTNU in Trondheim invites applications for a 3-year PhD candidate position focused on fatigue performance of welded aluminium structures within the FAST centre. You will collaborate with NTNU, SINTEF and industry partners to advance knowledge on weldment fatigue and post-weld treatments.

The project emphasizes experimental mechanics, materials testing, and advanced modeling, with opportunities to publish in top journals and present at international conferences.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or equivalent with a major independent project (≥30 ECTS).
• Master students may apply, but degree must be obtained before starting the position.
• Strong academic background with a grade equal to B or better on NTNU's scale.
• Documented background in experimental mechanics, solid mechanics and mechanics of materials.
• Excellent written and oral English skills.

Responsibilities

• Complete doctoral education up to the doctorate.
• Investigate fatigue behaviour of aluminium weldments.
• Develop local post-weld heat treatment strategies to improve properties.
• Perform fatigue testing with XCT-based defect characterization.
• Publish high-level research in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Collaborate with industrial and academic partners and supervise MSc students.

Skills

Experimental mechanics

Solid mechanics

Mechanics of materials

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science

Tools

ABAQUS

ANSYS

Job description

About The Position

The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MTP) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a PhD candidate within fatigue and structural integrity, funded through the Centre for Research-based Innovation SFI FAST Future Aluminium Structures.

The position is 3-year doctoral research fellowships starting in 2026. The PhD candidate will be embedded in the fatigue and structural integrity research activities of SFI FAST and will work closely with NTNU, SINTEF, and leading international industrial partners in the aluminium value chain.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. You will be supervised by Associate Professor Nima Razavi.

About The Project

SFI FAST (Future Aluminium Structures) is a national Centre for Research-based Innovation (SFI) funded by the Research Council of Norway and the aluminum industry. The Centre is led by NTNU in close collaboration with SINTEF and a broad consortium of 15 leading industrial partners across the aluminium value chain.

FAST runs from 2026 to 2034 and represents one of Norway’s most ambitious long-term research initiatives within aluminium materials, manufacturing technologies, and circular economy.

The primary objective of FAST is to establish the scientific and technological knowledge base required to enable the large-scale use of post-consumer scrap (PCS) aluminium in high-value, structural, and safety‑critical products. FAST adopts a through-scale and through-process research methodology, integrating materials science, manufacturing processes, product and structural design, and lifecycle performance.

A key outcome of FAST is the development of the FAST Virtual Lab, a digital framework combining experimental data, physics‑based models, and data‑driven methods to support design, manufacturing, and decision‑making across aluminium value chains.

Education and competence building are central pillars of FAST. The Centre will educate more than 18 PhD and postdoctoral researchers and over 100 MSc students, strengthening Norway’s international position in aluminium research and innovation.

Please see the centre’s website: Future Aluminium Structures (FAST) - NTNU.

PhD project

This PhD position focuses on the fatigue performance of welded aluminium structures, with particular emphasis on understanding and improving fatigue‑critical regions in the weldment. Welding introduces local variations in microstructure, mechanical properties, residual stresses and defects across the heat‑affected zone (HAZ) and fusion zone, which can strongly influence fatigue crack initiation and propagation. The research will investigate how these local characteristics, together with weld geometry and the processing route of the substrates, govern fatigue performance and the transferability of fatigue assessment methods across different structural configurations.

The candidate will investigate strategies for fatigue‑life enhancement through selected local post‑weld heat treatments, mechanical treatments and in‑situ thermo‑mechanical modification techniques. Experimental work will include fatigue testing supported by relevant local characterization, XCT‑based defect characterization and in‑situ mechanical testing to study damage and crack evolution. The experimental findings will be combined with local, defect‑based and fracture‑mechanics‑based fatigue prediction approaches to assess fatigue performance and treatment effectiveness. The research will also explore the implications of thickness‑dependent behaviour and local weld properties for existing fatigue design approaches and potential future design recommendations.

The candidate will work in close collaboration with industrial partners and other researchers within FAST and will be responsible for reporting progress and delivering research outputs to the centre.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Take part in the mandatory PhD research education programme
• Investigate the fatigue behaviour and damage mechanisms of aluminium weldments, considering local variations in mechanical properties, microstructure, residual stresses, and weld‑induced defects
• Develop and evaluate local post‑weld heat treatment and mechanical modification strategies to improve the properties and fatigue performance of critical weld regions
• Investigate the applicability of in‑situ thermal and mechanical modification techniques during welding for controlling local material properties and improving fatigue resistance
• Perform fatigue testing combined with XCT‑based defect characterization and in‑situ mechanical testing to investigate fatigue crack initiation and evolution and their relationship with local material and geometrical features
• Develop and validate local, defect‑based and fracture‑mechanics‑based fatigue prediction approaches using the experimental findings, and assess their applicability to welded aluminium structures
• Evaluate the implications of the obtained results for existing fatigue design approaches, particularly regarding material thickness, local weld properties, presence of post‑consumer scrap, and potential recommendations for fatigue design standards
• Conduct and publish high‑level research in peer‑reviewed journals and international conferences
• Work closely with industrial and academic partners and participate in relevant SFI FAST activities, including mentoring and supervising MSc students

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required Selection Criteria

• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme, see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Material Engineering, Solid Mechanics or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis
• Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position
• You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer‑reviewed academic works.
• Documented strong background in experimental mechanics, solid mechanics, and mechanics of materials
• Excellent written presentation skills and oral English language skills

Preferred Selection Criteria

• Scandinavian language skills
• Knowledge of fatigue and fracture mechanics
• Knowledge and testing skills in material characterization and microstructural analysis
• Knowledge and experience in mechanical testing of materials or components
• Experience in using Finite Element Codes such as ABAQUS, ANSYS, etc. for numerical analysis

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

• Highly motivated
• Able to work independently
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
• Show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject
• Analyse data, assess different perspectives and draw well‑founded conclusions
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed
• Keen interest in learning and working in teams

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• SFI FAST facilities, industrial network, and a joint PhD environment
• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow‑up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender‑balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

Application deadline

Application deadline: 26.10.2026

The city of Trondheim

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidised day‑care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

NTNU - knowledge