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The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology
Department of Civil and Transport Engineering

A fully funded 3-year PhD position is available on the microscale interaction of oil with sea ice. Work includes state-of-the art pore space imaging based on X-ray micro-tomography with laboratory X-ray tubes as well as synchrotron radiation, laboratory and field experiments of oil-in-ice interactions during ice growth and melt, quantitative image analysis, and modelling. Interactions of oil with sea ice are key to oil detection with remote sensing technologies, prioritizing response efforts, and they are part of the planning process of offshore operations.

The candidate will be part of an international research program, performing experiments in Trondheim, Narvik, Grenoble, Hamburg, and Alaska or Svalbard. Employment is through the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim where the candidate will work in close collaboration with a post-doctoral fellow. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway, titled “Microscale interaction of oil with sea ice for detection and environmental risk management in sustainable operations (MOSIDEO)” (http://mosideo.no/).

Candidates with a master degree within physics, geophysics, applied mathematics, applied mechanics or related fields are encouraged to apply. Background on project-related topics like fluid flow in porous media, glaciology and sea ice, or X-ray micro-tomography will be an advantage. The candidate needs to have solid knowledge in data and image processing and programming (e.g. Matlab, Python). Self-motivation, willingness and availability to travel for several weeks at a time (e.g., laboratory work at synchrotron facilities in Grenoble and Hamburg, field work in the Arctic), and interest in the design of laboratory experiments as part of the scientific method are crucial.

The PhD candidate will be hosted by the Department of Civil and Transport Engineering at NTNU and supervised by Prof. Knut Hψyland (NTNU), Dr. Sφnke Maus (NTNU) and PI Dr. Chris Petrich (Norut Narvik).

For further information about the position please contact Dr Sφnke Maus, 
e-mail sonke.maus@ntnu.no, phone +47 92 43 60 20.

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim represents academic eminence in technology and the natural sciences as well as in other academic disciplines ranging from the social sciences, the arts, medicine, teacher education, architecture to fine art. Cross-disciplinary cooperation results in innovative breakthroughs and creative solutions with far-reaching social and economic impact.

Please find the conditions of appointment and application here.

Application deadline: 10 May 2015.