PhD Candidate in Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) Sensors for Composite Materials

Stipendiat; Gjøvik; On-site; NOK 496,000 - 606,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Norwegian language training at aA

Favorable terms with SPK pension

Job summary

NTNU Gjøvik invites applications for a 3-year PhD position in ASEMlab. The PhD candidate will work on laser-induced graphene sensing for in-situ monitoring of fibre-reinforced composites, maturing lab prototypes to demonstrators, and benchmarking with other sensing technologies.

The position is hosted by ASEMlab at NTNU's Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering. It involves collaboration across materials science, electronics, and data analytics, with opportunities to publish in

Qualifications

• You must have admission to the NTNU Doctoral Programme and a strong academic record.
• Master's degree with a major project (≥30 ECTS) in a relevant field.
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken, per NTNU requirements.
• Hands-on research lab experience and safe handling of chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, and characterize LIG sensors and sensor arrays.
• Calibrate sensors using advanced techniques and benchmark against other sensors.
• Develop the sensor system for process and structural health monitoring.
• Implement data acquisition and analyze sensor data.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and publish results.

Skills

Independent working

English proficiency

Data analysis

Laboratory experience

Team collaboration

Project management

Education

Master's degree in materials science/engineering

Major independent project (≥30 ECTS)

Tools

Python

LabVIEW

Impedance analyzers

Job description

This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with atechnical-scientific profile and a focusin 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.

Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0

About the position

We have a new vacancy for a 3-year PhD position at ASEMlab, NTNU Gjøvik, funded by Horizon Europe projects. The PhD candidate will work with NTNU's laser-induced graphene (LIG) sensing line developing a LIG sensor system for in-situ process monitoring of fibre reinforced composite systems, and maturing it from lab-scale prototypes to integration in demonstrators. The LIG system will be developed and benchmarked alongside complementary sensing technologies. This is a doctorate at the intersection of functional 2D materials, printed electronics, industrial composites manufacturing and structural health monitoring.

The position is hosted by ASEMlab – the Laboratory of Advanced and Sustainable Engineering Materials (www.asemlab.no) at the Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Gjøvik campus. ASEMlab performs research on polymers and composite materials across their full life cycle: advanced manufacturing, structural health monitoring and sensing, non-destructive evaluation, durability and ageing, recycling and circularity, and sustainability assessment. The laboratory operates extensive infrastructure including manufacturing, sensor development, laser systems, thermal and physico-chemical analysis (DMA, TGA, FTIR, dielectric spectroscopy), mechanical and thermomechanical fatigue testing, accelerated ageing facilities, micro-CT, CMM, ultrasound imaging, etc.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• design and fabricate laser-induced graphene sensors and sensor arrays (temperature, strain, pressure) using ASEMlab's laser-processing infrastructure
• characterise and calibrate the sensors electromechanically, structurally, thermally, morphologically, etc., using advanced analytical techniques, and benchmark them against complementary sensing technologies (e.g. fibre optics)
• develop the LIG sensor system for process monitoring and structural health monitoring
• implement the data-acquisition chain and data-import protocols as well as analyze sensor data for different needs
• Work closely with interdisciplinary teams of internal and external researchers specializing in sensor technologies, materials science, data analytics, etc.
• analyze data and publish results in leading international journals and present at conferences, contribute to project deliverables, training workshops and dissemination activities

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 (link),see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
• You must have a relevant Master's degree in materials science/engineering, electronics/mechatronics, applied physics, nanotechnology, mechanical/manufacturing engineering or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis
• 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.
• demonstrated hands-on experience working in a research laboratory environment, including the safe handling of chemicals and operation of scientific instrumentation
• strong foundational understanding of solid-state physics/chemistry and materials characterization techniques (such as Raman spectroscopy, SEM, or XRD)
• hands-on experimental skills within sensors or functional/printed materials
• very good written and oral English skills (documented per NTNU requirements for non-native speakers)
• proven ability to work independently, manage a research project timeline, and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• experience in the design, fabrication, or characterization of electromechanical sensors, printed/flexible sensors, or graphene/2D and carbon-based functional materials
• hands-on experience with laser synthesis, laser micromachining, or optical systems, including CO₂ or UV laser platforms commonly used for LIG fabrication
• experience with electronics prototyping, instrumentation and data acquisition tools (Python, LabVIEW), electrical characterization hardware (e.g. source meters, potentiostats, impedance analyzers) and basic signal processing, while interest in machine-learning-based process control is a plus
• knowledge of fibre-reinforced polymer composites and their manufacturing processes
• experience with electrical/electromechanical characterisation techniques (e.g. impedance spectroscopy, DIC-coupled strain sensing)
• willingness to travel for test and demonstration campaigns for project needs in Europe

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are 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 a strong motivation for the subject
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed
• proactive, self-driven, structured and rigorous in experimental work
• collaborative and team-oriented mindset suited to a university lab and a large industrial consortium with firm deadlines
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• curiosity and ambition to publish at a high international level

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position.

• An exciting job with an important mission in an international, EU-funded project consortium
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• 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.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

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 for the doctoral work.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering Science Doctoral Programme - PhD - Faculty of Engineering Science - NTNU 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 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 attachments, are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

Please note that the candidate holding the announced position is expected to work with critical infrastructure and areas subject to controls on the export of strategic goods, services and technology. Candidates with the potential of not fulfilling the requirements for security clearance, access clearance and authorization as described in the Act Relating to National Security, the Export Control Act and the Act on the Implementation of International Sanctions (Sanctions Act) cannot be considered for the position.

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 yourself 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 Sotirios Grammatikos, Director of ASEMlab, Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering, NTNU Gjøvik. E-mail: [e-mail]

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Kristine Rognlid Hagaseth [e-mail]

Application deadline: 11.09.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.

Gjøvik, a charming town by the shores of Lake Mjøsa, is known for its beautiful nature and rich cultural offerings. The town boasts a vibrant community with excellent schools, modern healthcare services, and a variety of recreational activities. With its strategic location, just a short drive from Oslo, Gjøvik combines the best of urban life and natural experiences. Here, you'll find a dynamic business environment and exciting career opportunities in a setting that values work-life balance.