Researcher in Pore Scale Reservoir Engineering

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Job summary

NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology invites applications for a 12-month research position in the Well and Reservoir group of the Geosciences department. The project focuses on validating a new theory of multiphase flow in porous media using equilibrium thermodynamics, supported by imaging and modelling.

Collaboration with leading professors is expected, with a daily presence at the NTNU campus in Trondheim.

Qualifications

• PhD in a STEM field, preferably fluid mechanics and transport in porous media.
• Strong thermodynamics background; experimental experience in a fluid mechanics lab and imaging.
• Good written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Study multiphase flow at pore scale using imaging.
• Validate theory for multiphase flow with experiments and modelling.
• Develop new experimental methods as needed.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Presentation skills

English (written and spoken)

Norwegian language knowledge (adv.)

Education

PhD in STEM (fluids/porous media)

Tools

Imaging tools

Numerical modelling tools

Lab equipment

Job description

Researcher in Pore Scale Reservoir Engineering - IV-82/26

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

About the Job

We have a vacancy for research position of 12 months at the Department of Geosciences (IGV) at NTNU within the group Well and Reservoir (former Reservoir Engineering and Petrophysics). The position is funded by PoreLab and organized under the Department of Geosciences. The position will be situated within the Center of Excellence PoreLab, which will give excellent opportunities for collaboration and development on a personal and scientific level. For the position as a researcher, the goal is to develop experimental proof to validate theoretical predictions for multiphase fluid flow characterization at the Darcy scale.

The researcher will work in close collaboration with associate professor Antje van der Net and professors Alex Hansen and Carl Fredrik Berg.

Your immediate leader is the head of the department in IGV.

Duties of the position

• The area of interest is multiphase fluid flow description at pore level using pore scale imaging.
• The objective of the research work is to verify the newly developed theory for multiphase flow in porous media based on equilibrium thermodynamics using entropy as flow descriptor. This requires imaging of spatial fluid distribution under different flow conditions and porous media characteristics.
• The validation shall be done using experimental methods supported by numerical modelling tools. The work might require development of new experimental methods

Required selection criteria

• Minimum a PhD in a relevant subject area STEM, preferably related to fluid mechanics and transport in porous media.
• A strong background in thermodynamics is preferred as well as experimental experience in a fluid mechanics laboratory and imaging techniques
• Good written and oral English.

Preferred selection criteria

• Strong analytical thinking
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Norwegian language skills are advantageous

Personal characteristics

• The position requires a high level of self-responsibility including own initiative and critical thinking.
• The candidate shall have the ability to work independently where self motivation and ambition are crucial
• The candidate shall be flexible, creative and open for new ideas, and have an ability for self-reflection and should enjoy interdisciplinary research in an intercultural team.
• Being disciplined and well organized are preferred.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

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

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.

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation must be in English.

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note

the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

Your application must include:

• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• Academic works – published or unpublished – that you wish to be considered during assessment of your application (up to 10 items)
• A description of the scientific/artistic works you consider most relevant, which you particularly wish to be factored into the assessment
• A complete publication list
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees

It is important that you both document and reflect on your competence. You are encouraged to use the NTNUs competence matrix as a guide for documentation of your competence.

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.

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. Open scientific practice will be recognized.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA and The obligations in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment ( CoARA) on responsible assessment of research and recognition of a wider range of academic contributions to science and society. This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will be considered by a committee at the department. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview.

General information

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.

As an employee at NTNU, you must continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve 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 reservation is not accepted.

For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given expert evaluations of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and are stipulated by rules of confidentiality.

Application deadline

30.11.2026

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation 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.