PhD Candidate (MSCA) in optimal high temperature heat pump control

Sintef As; Trondheim; Hybrid; NOK 520,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

SINTEF Energy in Norway is recruiting two PhD candidates for projects on thermal engineering and High Temperature Heat Pumps (HTHPs) within the HeatMinds MSCA Doctoral Network. The PhD students will be employed by the Energy Use Department and enrolled at Brunel University, with supervision at SINTEF and Brunel.

The HeatMinds project is coordinated by Brunel University and involves partners across Europe, including DLR and universities.

Qualifications

• Two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS) or an equivalent degree.
• Degree must be completed before 1 January 2027 if in final year.
• Strong academic record or demonstrated research potential.
• Must meet Brunel Mechanical Engineering PhD admission requirements.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Publish scientific articles and contribute to dissemination activities.
• Engage in collaboration and secondment with HeatMinds partners.
• Participate in conferences, workshops, and training activities.
• Be flexible and adjust to activities and project focus as needed.
• Complete the doctoral education.
• Participate in SINTEF Energy research groups.

Skills

Mathematical modeling

Thermodynamic analysis

Control theory

MATLAB

Python

English proficiency

Education

Two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

About the position

SINTEF Energy is announcing two PhD candidate positions within the field of thermal engineering and industrial heat supply utilizing High Temperature Heat Pumps (HTHPs). Both positions are within the frame of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). The candidate will be employed by the Energy Use Department to carry out the doctoral project described below, enrolled by the doctoral program at Brunel University (UK), and have supervisors at both SINTEF and Brunel.

About the project

The activity is coordinated within the HeatMinds MSCA-DN by Brunel University in London, UK.

The HeatMinds project is officially launched in October 2026 and holds a consortium of 18 partners across Europe. This integrated project aims to conduct collaborative research while training fifteen doctoral candidates to make a step change in accelerating the development and deployment of industrial HTHPs to support the decarbonization of heat supply in the process industry. Supported by leading universities, research centres, and industrial actors, advanced models and design tools will be developed that contribute to the advancement of these efforts. HeatMinds will tackle highly connected research questions, namely what are the optimum and sustainable cycle arrangements, component designs, and supporting energy policy frameworks? HeatMinds will establish a roadmap for deploying IHTHP technology to support the decarbonisation of several key industries.

The other project partners recruiting PhD students are Brunel University (UK), City St. Georges University (UK), University of Seville (Spain), Technical University of Denmark, and SINTEF Industry.

One of the PhD projects hosted by SINTEF Energy is titled “Advanced Control Strategies for Dynamic Operation of High-Temperature Heat Pump Systems”. The project will address the challenges related to optimal control of high temperature heat pumps and their integration within dynamic industrial processes.

This project includes elements of:

• Investigation and development of novel or advanced control algorithms such as model predictive control (MPC) and reinforcement learning (RL) for high-temperature heat pump systems.
• Investigation and development of control strategies for high-temperature heat pump systems that achieve near-optimal operation using simple control elements (self-optimizing control).
• Evaluation of proposed control strategies in integrated scenarios within the context of industrial decarbonization and energy system flexibility.
• Demonstration and evaluation of proposed control strategies in a pilot-scale laboratory system.

SINTEF Energy, along with the partners in HeatMinds, hold significant experience and expertise in the analysis, design, and experimental testing of high temperature heat pumps, as well as advanced control methodologies for energy systems. Brunel University additionally has an extensive track record working with control strategies and algorithms.

The work will be conducted in close collaboration with SINTEF colleagues as well as with HeatMinds partners. The project includes an international secondment to the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Institute of Low Carbon Industrial Processes to gain practical insight into high temperature heat pump control methods realized in modern experimental facilities.

Duties of the position

• Publish scientific articles and contribute to dissemination activities.
• Engage in collaboration and secondment with HeatMinds partners.
• Participate in relevant conferences, workshops, and training activities.
• Be flexible and prepare to adjust to activities and project focus as the PhD project progresses if needed.
• Complete the doctoral education.
• Participate actively in the relevant SINTEF Energy research groups’ activities.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree[JD1.1].
• Master’s students in their final year can apply, but the degree must be completed and documented before 1 January 2027.
• Strong academic record (average grade B or better) or demonstrated research potential
• Must meet the admission requirements for the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Brunel University.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

MSCA Mobility Rule

At the time of employment, the candidate must not have lived, worked, or studied in Norway for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the start date of the position.

Background (mandatory)

• Mathematical modeling, simulation, and analysis of dynamic thermal systems
• Thermodynamic cycle analysis
• Control theory and PID controller tuning
• Proficiency in scientific programming (MATLAB/Python)

Additional background that will be valued in the selection process:

• Advanced control algorithms including MPC and/or RL
• Heat pump and/or thermal management system analysis and design
• Familiarity with optimisation methods (e.g. gradient-based methods)
• Familiarity with plantwide control procedures (e.g. self-optimizing control)

Personal characteristics

• To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:
• Work independently and take initiative.
• Plan and carry out research systematically.
• Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Show strong motivation and curiosity for the subject.
• Communicate clearly and constructively with colleagues.

Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability and motivation for the position.

We offer

• An exciting and challenging research project within an international MSCA Doctoral Network With excellent opportunities to collaborate within international research groups and industry.
• A dynamic, creative, and inclusive working environment.
• Access to cutting edge facilities and interdisciplinary training.
• Career development and mentoring through the HeatMinds network.

Salary and conditions

The employment period is three years, funded through the EU Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network Grant HeatMinds.For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme within three months of you employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organised doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.The position is conditional on external funding.For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution daily basis.

About the application

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter).
• Curriculum vitae.
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale.
• Names and contact information of two references.

Applications without the required documentation will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Contacts

• Joshua Render Dowdell, Researcher. Email:[e-mail], phone[phone]
• Lucas Ferreira Bernardino: Researcher Email:[e-mail], phone:[phone]
• Elisa Magnanelli, Research Manager. Email:[e-mail], phone[phone]