Postdoctoral Fellow in Energy Engineering, Process Engineering – NTNU, Norway

We have a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Fellow within the Refrigeration research group on the topic of ” Development and demonstration of energy efficient refrigeration and heat pumping systems for a climate neutral food business”, at Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

Qualification Details

• A postdoctoral research fellowship is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree related to refrigeration technology / systems or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree
• The candidate must be able to perform the above-mentioned experimental work based on previous documented experience
• The candidate must be able to perform the above-mentioned dynamic simulations based on previous documented experience
• Experience with refrigeration system design and relevant scientific publications within the field of high temperature heat pumps, absorption-compression, and relevant CFD simulations are counted as an advantage
• Excellent English skills, spoken and written are required. Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test. Approved tests are TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant 

Preferred selection criteria

• Expertise and experience from experimental laboratory work and analyses related to refrigeration and heat pumping systems
• Experience in Dymola Modelica (dynamic simulations)
• Experience with refrigeration system design and modelling
• Number of published journal papers within the field of refrigeration and heat pump technology

Personal characteristics

• Enthusiastic and motivated
• Able to work in a structured and goal-oriented manner
• Able to work efficiently both independently and in a team
• Able to work in a multi-cultural environment and project

Responsibilities/Job Description

The scope of the research work of the postdoc is dynamic modelling on both the fundamental and system integration level of a combined absorption-compression heat pump using an ammonia-water mixture as working fluid. Experimental investigations will be performed by the postdoc and a team of students to demonstrate that outlet temperatures of up to 160°C can be achieved. The disseminated results (journal papers made by the postdoc) will be based on both numerical work and experimental investigations conducted in the advanced laboratory at NTNU and other demonstrator sites of ENOUGH.

How to Apply?

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Research plan or project proposal for a thorough investigation of an energy system (freezing, chilling and heat pumping) of a demonstration site within the food chain
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 works)
• Name and address of three referees

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. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.  Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief 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 is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Documents Required

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Research plan or project proposal for a thorough investigation of an energy system (freezing, chilling and heat pumping) of a demonstration site within the food chain
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 works)
• Name and address of three referees

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. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.  Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

About the Project

The Refrigeration research group has a well-established expertise and network as regards of advanced heating and cooling systems applying natural working fluids for various applications within different industrial sectors. In close cooperation with SINTEF the group is involved in several national and international research projects.

The background and framework for the research work is the ongoing EU project ENOUGH. SINTEF and NTNU are leading demonstration tasks, related to advanced heating and cooling technologies for the food chain.

Therefore, fundamental numerical modelling is required to develop systems and to analyse and validate experimental results from the demonstrators. Process integration and dynamic system modelling is the main research focus area. Dynamic system modelling using Dymola and the object-oriented language Modelica is a flexible and powerful tool to study different thermal processes and systems. It allows to perform parametric studies to optimize the dimensioning and layout of the system including different kind of systems and thermal storage devices. Dymola/Modelica is currently used within the research team in Trondheim.

About the Department

We conduct research and teaching covering the entire energy chain, from resources to the end-user. We look at how energy is produced and used by humans and machines in a sustainable way with regard to health, climate change and the resource base. The Department of Energy and Process Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Note or Other details

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas, certificates, referee details and other required documents. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Applicants with European Master`s qualifications from outside Norway are required to include a Diploma Supplement. Applicants with Master`s qualifications from China are required to include confirmation of Master`s Diplomas from China Credentials Verification (CHSI): http://www.chsi.com.cn/en/.

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number IV-221/21 when applying.

Contact details

This position is funded by the European UnionHorizon 2020 Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future: Research and Innovation in support of the European Green Deal.Call H2020-LC-GD-2020

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Armin Hafner, [email protected]. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Megan Norris, [email protected].

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