Researcher in Low Transformation Temperature Alloys for Additive Manufacturing

Ntnu; Trondheim; Hybrid; NOK 600,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Experimental foundation

International environment

Collaborative team

Research infrastructure

Job summary

NTNU seeks a Researcher in Low Transformation Temperature Alloys for Additive Manufacturing to lead experimental work on LTT alloys, integrate DED and LPBF results, and guide manuscript preparation with the project team.

You will build on existing specimens, conduct microstructural analyses, and relate processing to hardness, with an emphasis on scientific publication and knowledge transfer.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in materials science/engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead interpretation of results and preparation of journal manuscripts.
• Coordinate experimental plan and analyses with the project team.
• Communicate findings at project meetings and conferences.
• Ensure data management and reproducibility of analyses.

Skills

Welding

Additive manufacturing

Metallurgy

Microstructure analysis

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in materials science and engineering

Experience in welding metallurgy or related field

Tools

LOM

EBSD

SEM

Python

Job description

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering has a vacancy for a

Researcher in Low Transformation Temperature Alloys for Additive Manufacturing

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

...

About the position

We are seeking a researcher with a background in welding, metal additive manufacturing or a related area of physical metallurgy for an approximately one-year position within SFI PhysMet (Centre for Sustainable and Competitive Metallurgical and Manufacturing Industry; www.ntnu.edu/physmet) at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU.

The position offers the opportunity to take a leading role in an experimental study of low transformation temperature (LTT) alloys. You will build on existing specimens and recent results, shape the remaining investigations and lead the preparation of a full-length journal manuscript together with the project team. We welcome applicants who enjoy connecting microstructural observations with physical metallurgy understanding and transforming experimental findings into clear scientific conclusions.

Your immediate leader is Head of Department.

About the job

LTT alloys undergo transformation from austenite to martensite at relatively low temperatures. The associated volume expansion can counteract thermal contraction and offers a route to managing residual stresses in welding and additive manufacturing. Understanding how processing conditions and repeated thermal cycles affect their microstructure is important for assessing their potential in these applications.

The experimental work has so far focused on directed energy deposition (DED). Single tracks, double tracks and small cuboids have been printed from three LTT alloys. Initial characterisation has included sectioning and light optical microscopy (LOM) to examine printing defects and dilution, Vickers hardness measurements, and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) on selected specimens, including reconstruction of prior-austenite grains.

More recently, cubes have also been produced by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) using two of the alloy powders. Microstructural characterisation of these specimens by LOM is currently in progress.

You will bring the existing and emerging results together to investigate the relationships between processing, microstructure, printing quality and hardness. The work will include identifying the most valuable scientific questions, establishing where the DED and LPBF results can be meaningfully compared, and completing focused complementary characterisation. The main outcome should be one or more full-length manuscripts prepared and submitted to a relevant peer-reviewed journal.

Duties of the position

One of the main objectives of SFI PhysMet is to explore and develop innovative processing and joining methods with enhanced sustainability and competitiveness. You will contribute to this aim through the following activities:

• Review, consolidate and document the existing specimens, processing information and characterisation results.
• Define a focused plan for completing the study, identifying the additional analyses or experiments needed to support its scientific conclusions.
• Carry out and analyse complementary microstructural characterisation and strength property measurements in collaboration with the project team.
• Investigate the effects of alloy composition, processing conditions, dilution and repeated thermal cycles on microstructure and hardness, using the available evidence.
• Develop a scientifically justified comparison of the DED and LPBF results for the alloys studied by both processes.
• Lead the interpretation of the results and the preparation and submission of at least one full-length journal manuscript in collaboration with the project team.
• Communicate the findings through project meetings and relevant scientific conferences and document the data and analysis procedures for future use.

You will work closely with colleagues and partners within SFI PhysMet. Research visits and participation in relevant conferences are encouraged as opportunities to strengthen the study, exchange knowledge and expand your scientific network.

Required selection criteria

• A PhD in materials science and engineering, metallurgy, welding technology, mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline, or documented scientific qualifications at an equivalent level.
• Relevant experimental research experience in welding metallurgy, metal additive manufacturing or a related field involving solidification and phase transformations in metallic materials.
• Hands‑on experience with metallographic sample preparation and microstructural characterisation of metallic materials, by light optical and electron microscopy methods.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse experimental data independently and relate processing conditions, microstructure and material properties.
• Experience in scientific writing, demonstrated by relevant publications, and the ability to take a leading role in manuscript preparation.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills.

Preferred selection criteria

We welcome applicants with different combinations of the following experience:

• Experience with DED and/or LPBF, including interpretation of processing parameters and thermal histories.
• Experience with steel metallurgy, including knowledge of LTT alloys, martensitic transformations or transformation‑related effects in welding and additive manufacturing.
• Experience acquiring and/or analysing EBSD data, particularly reconstruction of prior‑austenite grains.
• Experience with quantitative optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), image analysis and Vickers hardness testing.
• Experience assessing weld or additive manufacturing defects, dilution and the effects of repeated thermal cycling.
• Skills in quantitative data analysis and scientific visualisation using Python, MATLAB or comparable tools.
• Familiarity with thermodynamic or phase‑transformation modelling to support experimental interpretation.

Personal characteristics

• Curious and analytical, with sound scientific judgement.
• Able to work independently, set priorities and bring a focused research study to completion.
• Careful and systematic in experimental work, data management and reporting.
• Open to sharing ideas and collaborating across research groups and disciplines.
• Motivated to communicate research through publications and scientific presentations.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• An established experimental foundation and the opportunity to shape the remaining research and lead its scientific publication.
• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment.
• Collaboration in a strong team of research fellows from NTNU and SINTEF in addition to industry partners in SFI PhysMet
• Excellent research infrastructure for experiments and modelling

Salary and conditions

As a researcher (code 1109) you are paid depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is one year.

An early start is preferred, with the starting date to be agreed with the successful applicant.

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 attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

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.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

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 Materials Science and Engineering

We are Norway's leading educational and research environment in materials engineering, materials chemistry and materials science.In collaboration with business and industry, we are a driving force for the development ofinnovative materials as well as new applications and manufacturing processes. Activities in our disciplines are vital for the green shift. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences .