PhD Candidate in Sustainable and Cement-Free Marine Materials
Ntnu
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Job summary
NTNU's Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering in Trondheim invites applications for a PhD Candidate in Sustainable and Cement-Free Marine Materials. You will join an international, interdisciplinary team addressing blue economy innovation and climate challenges.
The 3-year position focuses on eco-friendly shell-based materials, geopolymer composites, and upcycling calcium-rich waste streams. You will conduct fundamental research and engage with partners from NTNU, University of Tokyo
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Ocean Engineering or equivalent (five-year Norwegian course, 120 credits at master's level).
- Strong theory and experimental background in building materials (concrete or geopolymer).
- Excellent English language skills (written and spoken).
- Experience publishing in SCI journals and material characterization techniques are advantageous.
Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize eco-friendly shell-based materials.
- Optimize forming conditions for high mechanical performance and bio-receptive properties.
- Conduct comprehensive material property assessments.
- Perform numerical simulations to understand processing.
- Develop hybrid shell–concrete geopolymer composites.
- Investigate carbonation routes to enhance CO₂ capture.
- Collaborate with researchers and industry partners for field testing and ecological assessment.
- Provide a detailed PhD plan with milestones and coursework.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Gjøvik, 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.
For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.
This is a unique opportunity to join an international and interdisciplinary team in the forefront of sustainable blue economy innovation. You will be pioneering the development of next‑generation, cement‑free materials for marine infrastructure and cold‑water coral reef restoration, directly addressing climate change impacts and circular economy goals in Norway and globally.
The position is for a period of 3 years.
Your immediate leader is the Research Group Leader.
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.
The HAPMarine project aims to address coastal ecosystem collapse and reduce reliance on carbon‑intensive, concrete‑based marine infrastructure. It pioneers circular‑economy solutions by upcycling Norway's abundant calcium‑rich waste streams—aquaculture shells and demolition concrete—into bioreceptive, low‑carbon, and high‑strength materials. The project involves key partnerships, including experts from the University of Tokyo and NIVA (Norwegian Institute for Water Research), working together to achieve the project’s objectives.
The successful candidate will be expected to complete their doctoral education and perform fundamental research, primarily within:
- Develop and optimize eco‑friendly shell‑based materials.
- Optimize the forming conditions to achieve the expected high mechanical performance and high bio‑receptive characteristics.
- Conduct comprehensive assessment of the material properties.
- Perform numerical simulation to get insight of process.
- Develop hybrid shell–concrete (geopolymer) composites.
- Investigate carbonation routes to enhance CO₂ capture.
- Cooperate with other researchers to perform field testing, leaching analysis, and ecological assessment of the developed materials in lab and field environments.
- Collaborate with project and industry partners, and contribute to the interdisciplinary project goals.
- In understanding with the supervisors provide a detailed plan for PhD study that includes the mandatory courses, research activities, dissemination and milestones
- Report progress on a regular basis and in agreement with the supervisors
- Completion of coursework during the initial part of the employment period.
Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.
- You must have a relevant Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Ocean Engineering or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five‑year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master’s level.
- Theory and experimental background in building materials (such as concrete or geopolymer)
- 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 maybe considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
- Excellent written and oral English language skills.
PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.
- Experience with publishing in high‑impact factor SCI journals
- Extensive material characterization experience (XRD, SEM, FTIR, Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP))
- Experience with numerical modelling (e.g., COMSOL/ANSYS) for material or structural performance
- Background in green/bio‑concrete or waste valorization
- Strong analytical and mathematical skills
- Enthusiastic, able to adapt and learn
- Highly motivated and scientifically curious
- Positive attitude and interested in teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Ability to take initiative and to work independently
Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.
- An exciting job with an important mission in society
- Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
- Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
- Free Norwegian language training at a basic level
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.
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. If learning Norwegian (level A2 corresponding to at least 15 credits) is to be completed before the end of the employment period, the employment period can be extended by 10 weeks after completed and documented the Norwegian course.
For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme 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 be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.
The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.
Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.
Application must be in English and include:
- CV and certificates.
- Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
- A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
- A 2-page project proposal on a topic related to green sustainable materials for ocean or building materials. The proposal should reflect your innovative thinking and professional competence in material development and optimization.
- Names and contact details of three referees.
- Publications or other relevant research work
If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.
We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).
A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be 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.
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 Manufacturing and Civil Engineering
Our profile of expertise can help to solve the world’s most important societal challenge: the development of sustainable solutions in industry and society. This profile includes research on modern industrial processes, use of new and recycled materials, new technological solutions and the application of new forms of organization and business models. The Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.
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