PhD Candidate in Industrial High-Temperature Heat Pumps for decarbonized heat generation

Ntnu; Trondheim; Hybrid; NOK 480,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

NTNU in Trondheim invites applications for a PhD Candidate position within the Refrigeration research group of the Department of Energy and Process Engineering. The project focuses on Industrial High-Temperature Heat Pumps (IndHTHP) and collaboration with SINTEF Energi AS.

The candidate will pursue a doctoral degree during the KSP project period starting early 2027. The role includes developing dynamic models, evaluating cycle concepts, and conducting experiments with access to NTNU and SINTEF

Qualifications

• Master's degree in refrigeration engineering, with a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS).
• Master's degree must be completed before September 2026.
• Strong and relevant academic background with grade equal to B or better on NTNU's scale.
• Experience in dynamic modelling of energy systems.

Responsibilities

• Complete doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
• Carry out high-quality research within the project framework.
• Develop and validate dynamic simulation models using Modelica and libraries.
• Analyse and optimise novel heat pump cycle architectures and working fluids.
• Evaluate techno-economic performance and industrial applicability.
• Design, conduct and analyse laboratory experiments and field demonstrations.
• Publish academic papers and participate in P&P group activities.
• Engage in international activities and supervise 1–2 master projects yearly.

Skills

Dynamic modelling

Modelica

Control strategies

Energy systems

Education

Master's degree in refrigeration engineering

Tools

Modelica

Laboratory equipment

Job description

The Department of Energy and process engineering has a vacancy for a

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the position

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

A PhD position is available at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) within the Refrigeration research group(part of P&P)on the topic of \"Industrial High-Temperature Heat Pumps\". The goal is that the candidate obtains the doctoral degree during the approved KSP project period starting in early 2027, in close collaboration with SINTEF Energi AS

The Refrigeration research group has a well-established expertise and network as regards of vapour compression systems applying natural working fluids for various applications within different industrial sectors. In close cooperation with SINTEF Energi AS, the group is involved in several national and international research projects. This PhD position will be a part of the KSP project ‘IndHTHP’. The candidate will be integrated in the research teams and benefit for the know-how of senior researchers during the PhD work. Workshops will be organized to bring experts in the field together to share and transfer their knowledge. The candidate will have access to the joint research facilities at SINTEF and NTNU in Trondheim.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? 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, in and outside academia.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The KSP project addresses to limit global warming which requires a substantial shift toward more sustainable energy systems. Electrification of industrial heat is widely considered as a promising route to reach carbon emission targets, and industrial heat pumps provide an energy-efficient solution for this purpose by using surplus heat to generate the required thermal output with low electricity consumption. According to the IEA, industrial heat pumps could become a cornerstone technology for electrifying low-temperature heat (below 100 °C) heat and a substantial portion of medium- temperature (100–400 °C) heat.

IndHTHP aims to accelerate the adoption of industrial high-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) in Norway to enable energy-efficient, low-emission heat. The projectʼs main objective is to support wider adoption of industrial HTHPs across Norwegian industry. By strengthening the knowledge base from end-user and technology-provider perspectives, IndHTHP aims to reduce barriers to implementation and establish a foundation for industrial pilot projects as spin-off initiatives.

The project addresses R&D challenges that currently limit wider deployment of HTHPs. These include matching different heat-pump technologies to diverse industrial needs, developing solutions that can deliver higher supply temperatures, larger capacities, more compact designs and flexible operation and reducing the cost and uncertainty of integration into existing industrial systems. The project will study how natural refrigerants and water-based systems can be used in large-scale HTHPs while maintaining reliability, leak-tightnes sand compliance sector-specific safety requirements.

By combining modeling, laboratory validation, industrial case studies and stakeholder collaboration, IndHTHP aims to deliver practical guidelines, identify viable pilot opportunities and lay the foundation for future industrial demonstration projects.

Key components of the PhD work include:

• Dynamic modelling and optimization of industrial high-temperature heat pump (HTHP) systems
• Development of innovative HTHP cycle concepts for higher efficiency, flexibility, and temperature lift
• Investigation of high-temperature (>160°C) and ultra-high-temperature (>250°C) heat pump technologies
• Integration of heat pumps with industrial processes
• Experimental validation and performance assessment through laboratory and field testing

Duties of the position

• Complete doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above and in particular:
• Develop and validate dynamic simulation models using Modelica and advanced component libraries
• Analyze and optimize novel heat pump cycle architectures, working fluids, and control strategies
• Evaluate techno-economic performance and industrial applicability of HTHP solutions
• Design, conduct, and analyze laboratory experiments and industrial field demonstrations
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in the research group P&P
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Teaching: Supervise one to two project-and master’s thesis students every year

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in refrigeration engineering. 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 no later than September 2026.
• 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.
• You must have experience in dynamic modelling of energy