PhD in Advanced Testing, Modelling, and Simulation of Composite Materials under High Velocity Impact

1000scholars; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 570,000 - 590,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme as a new employee

Open and inclusive working environment

Favorable terms with SPK

Free Norwegian language training

Job summary

NTNU in Trondheim invites applications for a PhD candidate in the SIMLab, Department of Structural Engineering. The project focuses on computational mechanics, experimental mechanics, and protective structures, developing composite armour materials for ballistic and fragmentation threats.

The successful candidate will work with leading industrial and research partners, including NFM Group, FFI, IMPETUS, Avient, Forsvarsbygg, and St.

Qualifications

• Meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme.
• Master's degree in structural engineering, mechanical engineering or computational mechanics with a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS).
• Master students can apply, but degree must be obtained before starting and by 01.11.2026.
• Average grade of Master’s degree equal to B or better on NTNU scale; equivalently strong academic foundation if no letter grades.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above.
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination.
• Participate in the SIMLab research group.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences or research stays at foreign institutions.

Skills

English proficiency

Independent work

Structured planning

Education

Master's degree in structural/mechanical/computational mechanics

Tools

Python

Fortran

CUDA

Job description

PhD in Advanced Testing, Modelling, and Simulation of Composite Materials under High Velocity Impact

The Department of Structural Engineering has a vacancy for a

This is NTNU

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

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join SIMLab at the Department of Structural Engineering, NTNU, in the field of computational mechanics, experimental mechanics, and protective structures. The project focuses on developing next-generation composite armour materials for personal protection against ballistic and fragmentation threats.

Recent conflicts have highlighted the increasing importance of lightweight protective systems capable of mitigating threats from bullets and fragments generated by explosions and drones. Achieving this requires a deeper understanding of how advanced composite materials behave under extreme loading conditions.

The PhD project will combine state-of-the-art experimental testing, high-speed diagnostics, and advanced numerical simulations to investigate the response of composite armour subjected to high-velocity impacts. The candidate will develop and validate computational models capable of predicting penetration, damage evolution, and energy absorption, while exploring novel lightweight material configurations for improved ballistic performance. The project will also investigate how structural impact simulations can be coupled with biomechanical surrogate models to assess injury risk from blunt-force trauma.

The successful candidate will work closely with leading industrial and research partners, including NFM Group, FFI, IMPETUS, Avient, Forsvarsbygg, and St. Olavs Hospital, providing access to unique experimental facilities, industrial case studies, and internationally recognized expertise. The research is expected to contribute to the development of safer, lighter, and more effective protective systems while advancing the scientific understanding of composite materials under extreme dynamic loading.

Your immediate leader will be Professor Tore Børvik, group leader of SIMLab.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in the research group SIMLab
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions

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, see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
• You must have a relevant Master's degree instructural engineering, mechanical engineering og computational mechanics or equivalent. 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 and no later than 01.11.2026.
• 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.
• 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 solid mechanics and non‑linear finite element analysis.
• Experience in optical measurements related to experimental work.
• Some experience in modelling of composite materials.
• Some experience in programming (Python, Fortran, CUDA or similar).
• Some experience in fluid mechanics and biomechanics.

Personal characteristics

• 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

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
• 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 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 for the doctoral work.

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

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 bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

Please note that the candidate holding the announced position is expected to work with critical infrastructure and areas affected by control of the export of strategic goods, services and technology. Candidates with the potential of not fulfilling requirement for security clearance, access clearance and authorization as described in the Act Relating to National Security, The Export Control Act and Act on the Implementation of International Sanctions (Sanctions Act) cannot be considered for the position (e.g., candidates from Russia, Iran, North Korea, China, among other countries).

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Tore Børvik, [e-mail] or Associate Professor David Morin, [e-mail].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Kristine Grønvold, e-mail: [e-mail].

Application deadline: 11.10.2026

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. ve community.