PhD Candidate in High-Frequency Wide-Bandgap Power Conversion Technologies

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); Trondheim; On-site; NOK 496,000 - 606,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme

Friday coffee socials

Free Norwegian language training

Pension fund benefit

Job summary

NTNU invites applications for a full-time PhD position in Electric Energy, specializing in high-frequency wide-bandgap power electronics. The PhD candidate will pursue doctoral studies while contributing to cutting-edge research at PEM/IEL.

The project includes analytical modelling, hardware development, and experimental validation to enable efficient, high-density power conversion for electric propulsion and energy systems.

Qualifications

• A relevant Master’s degree in power electronics with 120 credits at Master’s level.
• Strong academic record with average grade B or better on NTNU scale or equivalent.
• English language skills at CEFR level B2 (written and spoken).
• Admission to NTNU Faculty Doctoral Programme will be required.

Responsibilities

• Carry out high-quality research within the defined framework.
• Publish academic papers and disseminate results.
• Participate in PEM research group activities and international conferences.
• Engage in research stays at foreign institutions if applicable.
• Complete coursework equivalent to at least 30 ECTS.

Skills

Power electronics

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Education

Master's degree in power electronics

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Job description

About The Position

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? Do you have a background in electrical power engineering, and are you interested in power electronics? As a PhD candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, both in and outside academia.

The Department of Electric Energy (IEL) at NTNU is seeking a highly motivated candidate for a full-time (100%) PhD position for 3 years. You will join the research group Power Electronics and Electrical Machines (PEM) at IEL, where we foster an open, inclusive, and collaborative working environment.

Our work environment is defined by its friendly and supportive atmosphere, with regular gatherings such as professional meetings within the research group, weekly colloquia, shared lunches, and "Friday coffee" sessions to end the week. These formal and informal events offer opportunities to share ideas, celebrate milestones, and build relationships. PhD candidates also organize social activities open to everyone interested, fostering a welcoming and inclusive community.

Your immediate Line Manager will be the Head of Department.

About The Project

High-frequency wide-bandgap (SiC/GaN) semiconductor technologies are enabling significant improvements in efficiency, power density, and switching performance for next-generation power conversion systems. However, fully realizing these advantages requires overcoming coupled challenges in device switching behaviour, converter design, electromagnetic interference, thermal management, and long-term reliability.

This PhD project will investigate advanced high-frequency power conversion technologies through analytical modelling, multi-domain optimization, hardware development, and experimental validation. The research will explore the interaction between wide-bandgap semiconductor devices, converter architectures, and system-level constraints to develop high-performance power conversion solutions. The developed concepts will be experimentally validated using a laboratory-scale prototype representing a selected electrified energy application, such as electric propulsion or another high-performance energy conversion system.

The PhD candidate will investigate one or more of the following areas:

• High-frequency converter architectures, modulation techniques, and advanced switching strategies
• Wide-bandgap semiconductor devices (SiC/GaN), switching behaviour, and gate-drive optimization
• Electromagnetic compatibility, electro-thermal modelling, and reliability-oriented design methodologies

The research will contribute to new converter concepts, high-power-density design approaches, and improved understanding of wide-bandgap semiconductor operation, enabling more efficient and reliable future electric propulsion, renewable energy, and industrial drive systems.

The PhD main supervisor is Associate Professor Subhadra Tiwari at the Department of Electric Energy, NTNU.

Duties of the position

• Carry out research of high quality within the framework described above.
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination.
• Participate in activities in the research group Power Electronics and Electrical Machines (PEM)
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions.
• Complete academic training consisting of coursework corresponding to a minimum of 30 ECTS.

Career-enhancing work, which is in addition to the research project and doctoral education, may be offered to a candidate who demonstrates clear motivation and ability for such work, and if the Department determines there is a need. Examples of career-enhancing work include, but are not limited to, contributing to teaching, laboratory and exercise teaching, supervision, and examination work within the employee's areas of competence.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required Selection Criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in power electronics. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level.
• You must have a strong 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 grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education, i.e., by having relevant work experience and/or published/publishable scientific papers.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the Faculty's Doctoral Programme.
• You must have English language skills, both written and spoken, corresponding to the scale B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Applicants who are not native English speakers are encouraged to document their English language proficiency. This can be done through an approved English language test. One of the following test scores could be documented for this purpose:
• TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) - Score equivalent to the B2 level: 79 - 101.
• IELTS - Score equivalent to the B2 level: 5.5 - 6.0
• Cambridge English - Score equivalent to the B2 level: 160 - 179.

Further assessment of both written and oral English language skills, as well as the ability to communicate fluently, will be conducted throughout the selection process and during any interviews for all applicants.

Preferred Selection Criteria

• Experience with laboratory development in power electronics would be desired.
• Scientific publications will be merited.
• Experience with programming tools (e.g., Python, Matlab, C/C++) will be merited.
• English language skills, both written and spoken, corresponding to the scale C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). See which scores are equivalent to the C1 level here.

Personal characteristics

• Demonstrate strong motivation, curiosity, and a learning-oriented mindset
• Work independently, take initiative, and maintain good structure and discipline in their work
• Communicate effectively and collaborate well with supervisors and peers
• Show resilience and work constructively when facing challenges or setbacks
• Demonstrate integrity and a strong sense of responsibility in their research conduct

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• 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
• Social activities organized by PhD Students
• Weekly social gathering on Fridays (Friday coffee)
• 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)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

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 550 800,-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, with the possibility of an additional 3 to 12 months of employment related to career-enhancing activities.

The option for career-enhancing work may be offered to a candidate who has clear motivation and ability for such work, and if the Department deems it necessary. This will be clarified with the candidate during and after any interview.

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

The position is conditional on 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.

About The Application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

The Application Must Include

• A cover letter where the applicant explains personal motivation, briefly summarizes scientific work, and describes how their background is a good fit (400 words/1 page).
• Project outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project, and progress plan (maximum 1500 words/4 pages, including references). This proposal shall neither be deemed final nor binding for the project.
• CV.
• If you have testimonials of work experience, submit them.
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your Master's thesis, you must provide confirmation of your estimated submission date for the Master's thesis, or confirmation that your Master's thesis has been submitted. Applicants from universities outside Norway are asked to provide a diploma supplement or similar document that details the study program and grading system.
• A copy of the Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you are encouraged to include a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be provided before assuming the position.
• If you have publications or other relevant research work, submit them.
• You are encouraged to include documentation of English language proficiency if you are not a native speaker of English.
• Name and contact information of three referees.

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Associate Professor Subhadra Tiwari by email at [e-mail].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact senior consultant HR Sven Robert Storø by email at [e-mail]

Application deadline

21.09.2026

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 subsidized 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

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

Department of Electric Energy

The Department of Electric Energy is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Our department is Norway’s leading in the field, and our vision is to be at the centre of the digital, green shift. We have excellent collaboration with business and industry as well as other universities and research organizations internationally. This gives us outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary research with high relevance for the society, addressing industrial needs and global challenges.