Norway : 7 PhD positions available within Arctic Technology at NTNU and UNIS

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway is hosting the new Research Based Innovation Centre Sustainable Arctic Coastal and Marine Technology. The centre is financed by the Research Council of Norway and the industry. Up to 7 PhD positions are available within the centre at NTNU and at the University Centre on Svalbard (UNIS), Longyearbyen, Norway. Professor Sveinung Løset is leading the centre in close collaboration with UNIS and SINTEF. The research is divided into six Work Packages:

• WP 1 - Collection and analysis of field data and properties
• WP 2 - Material modelling
• WP 3 - Fixed structures in ice
• WP 4 - Floating structures in ice
• WP 5 - Ice management and design philosophy
• WP 6 - Coastal Technology.

The following positions are available:

PhD # 1. Properties of tides, sea currents and waves in the Arctic seas (WP 1).

The announced position assumes field investigation of surface wave propagation and tides in ice infested waters. Measurements will be performed in Svalbard fjords and in the Barents Sea over ice and ice free seasons with standard equipment for the measurements of water velocities profiles, CTD characteristics and surface waves. Special attention will be focused on the measurements of sediment transport in shallow waters covered by ice, around quays and underwater pipelines. The PhD project includes also the development of mathematical models describing the dissipation of wave energy in ice and bottom adjacent boundary layers, sediment transport and movements of ice floes and moored structures in shallow water regions. Experimental works will be performed in wave tanks at NTNU. The main part of the activity within the PhD project will be organized at UNIS under supervision of Prof. Aleksey Marchenko. The work will be performed in close contact with Associate professor Raed Lubbad and Prof. Sveinung Løset at NTNU and will also be linked to WP4 and WP 6.

Contact persons: Aleksey Marchenko, Raed Lubbad and Sveinung Løset.

PhD# 2. Physical-mechanical properties and extent of coastal permafrost (WP 1).                    

The extent and state of coastal permafrost will be measured at selected sites at Svalbard and NW Russia, and samples taken for advanced laboratory testing and determination of physical-mechanical properties. In situ measurements will be a major part of the study. The position includes development of testing methods and equipment, both in laboratory and field, to achieve results suitable to determinate properties of frozen soils, both for traditional geotechnical use and as input to models developed in WP2. Field activity will be carried out in both Svalbard and North West Russia. Thermal properties of permafrost and effect of changing temperature in frozen soils is a part of the research. This position is a part of a PhD-team where the interaction between positions is considered important to achieve the goals in the main project. The research will include both laboratory and field activity. The candidate should have background from geotechnical engineering, preferential geotechnical experience connected to frozen soils and soil modeling. The main part of the activity within the PhD-project will be organized at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) and at NTNU in close contact with researchers from SINTEF and Moscow State University (MSU).

Contact persons: Stein Olav Christensen and Lars Grande.

PhD# 3. Constitutive models for frozen soils (WP 2).

Temperature and time effects (creep) are of major concern in frozen soils. Sophisticated analyses of frozen soil-structure interaction problems therefore require at least a time dependent thermo-mechanically coupled material model. Ideally a fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanically (THM) model for frozen soil is employed. Such a model is to be developed within this PhD research. Development shall be based on available anisotropic viscoplastic soft soil models and fully thermo-hydro-mechanically coupled frameworks originally aimed at higher temperature regimes. The new constitutive model is to be benchmarked against laboratory tests. Default material parameters are to be identified so that the model can be easily used based on correlations. Finally, the new model shall be validated in back-calculation of in-situ observations. Opportunities exist also to contribute to experimental work. Applicants for this PhD position should have a Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering (Civil Engineering), Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a similar discipline, with strong credentials. Background in continuum mechanics, finite element programming and knowledge of computing languages such as Fortran or C++ is desirable. The PhD research will be conducted at NTNU where the PhD student will join the Geotechnical Research Group (www.ntnu.edu/bat/geotechnics). Research will be carried out in cooperation with known experts in constitutive modeling from NTNU and international partner universities as well as commercial partners.

Contact person: Thomas Benz.

PhDs# 4 and 5. Constitutive models for ice rubble, both numerical (FEM) and experimental investigations (WP 2).

Ice ridges often give the design ice action on Marine Arctic structures and ships. The lower, unconsolidated parts the ridges is called rubble and material models for ice rubble is necessary for the use of numerical tools to predict ice action on structures. The development of material models requires both the development of experimental procedures to provide input data, and the development of numerical material model with the use of advance finite element models. The material model should include visco-plastic features, so that the loading rate dependence can be modelled. Two PhD students will work with these numerical and experimental investigations of ice rubble. Depending on the interests and qualifications of candidates the work can either be strongly numerically focussed or address more the development and performance of experiments. The work will be performed within WP 2 but with links to both WPs 1 and 3. In any case a good background within mechanics and mathematics is useful. Candidates with a master degree within Civil or Mechanical Engineering, Marine Technology, Mathematics or Physics are encouraged to apply.

Contact person: Knut V. Høyland.

PhD# 6. Field observations and numerical nodelling of drift of sea ice and icebergs (WP 2).      

Precise and fast estimates of icebergs and ice ridges masses and shapes are very important for the development of ice management around offshore structures and pipelines in the Barents Sea and Kara Sea. Moreover local monitoring of ice drift in Svalbard fjords and estimates of ice forces on Svalbard quays will provide highly needed knowledge for the planning of coastal infrastructure in Svalbard. The PhD study should lead to development of modern methods for 3D mapping of ice features in the ocean (icebergs, ice ridges, floes) and monitoring of their motions from onboard ships and from land. The mapping will be performed with the 3D laser scanner Riegl Vz-1000. The PhD work will also include numerical simulations of ice and iceberg drift near offshore and coastal structures and calculation of ice forces. Discrete element meso-scale model of ice drift should have a link to large scale modelling and satellite information. Preliminary knowledge and experience in numerical simulations, laser physics and mathematical modelling is appreciated. The main part of the activity within the PhD project will be organized at UNIS under supervision of Prof. Aleksey Marchenko, and in close contact with Prof. Sveinung Løset and Prof. Knut V. Høyland from NTNU. 

Contact persons: Aleksey Marchenko, Sveinung Løset and Knut V. Høyland.

PhD#7. Modeling of erosion rates and erosion mechanisms in coastal permafrost (WP6).
The PhD-study involves quantification of some of the physical processes behind Arctic coastal erosion and includes monitoring of erosion rates, the extent of coastal permafrost, sea and ice conditions at selected coastal locations and structures in Svalbard and NW Russia. The data will be used for modelling of potential site-specific permafrost degradation in the coastal zone due to present and future climatic conditions and sea/ice actions on shorelines. Development of models will be a part of the research. A number of test fields both in Svalbard and North West Russia will be established with the purpose to collect high quality data to study erosion rates and erosion mechanisms in coastal permafrost. Measuring methods in field will be both geophysical and geotechnical, together with use of 3D laser scanner and other geodesy methods. This position is a part of a PhD-team where the interaction between positions is considered important to achieve the goals in the main project. The research will include both laboratory and field activity. The candidate should have background from geotechnical engineering, preferential geotechnical experience connected to frozen soils and soil modeling. The main part of the activity within the PhD-project will be organized at NTNU and the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) in close collaboration with SINTEF and researchers from Moscow State University (MSU).

Contact person: Maj Gøril Bæverfjord and Lars Grande.

Contact details:

• Professor Aleksey Marchenko, aleksey.marchenko@unis.no,
  office + 47 79 02 33 65 / mobile + 47 915 52 552
• Professor Lars Grande, lars.grande@ntnu.no,
  mobile + 47 926 56 733
• Professor Thomas Benz, thomas.benz@ntnu.no,
  mobile +47 919 92 240
• Professor Knut V. Høyland, knut.hoyland@ntnu.no
  office + 47 73 59 46 32 / mobile +47 93 87 91 70
• Professor Sveinung Løset, sveinung.loset@ntnu.no,
  office + 73 59 46 29 / mobile + 47 907 55 750
• Associate Professor Raed Lubbad, raed.lubbad@ntnu.no,
  office + 47 73 59 / mobile + 47 478 10 422
• Maj Gøril Glåmen Bæverfjord maj.g.baverfjord@sintef.no,
  office + 47 73 59 48 65 / mobile + 47 915 94 332
• Stein Olav Christensen, stein.christensen@sintef.no,
  office: +47 73 59 45 97 / +47 905 87 861

Salaries, etc.
PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, grade 48-56 on the Norwegian State salary scale, gross NOK 391 100 to NOK 448 100 per year (before tax). PhD students are normally remunerated at wage level 48. There will be a 2 % deduction to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund from gross salary.

Engagement as a PhD candidate is done in accordance with current appointment regulations with supplementary rules in force giving guidelines for scholarship appointments in universities and university colleges. The goal of each of the announced positions is to obtain a PhD degree. Applicants are obliged to engage in an organized PhD training program, and appointment requires approval of the applicant’s plan for a PhD study within three months from the date of commencement. A contract of employment will be set up for the engagement period regulating the rights and duties of the PhD student.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants.

The fellowships are awarded for 3 years.

The position adheres to the Norwegian Government’s policy of balanced ethnicity, age and gender. Persons with immigrant background are encouraged to apply. NTNU’s objective is to increase the number of females in scientific positions. Female applicants are therefore encouraged to apply.

The application must contain information of educational background and work experience. Certified copies of transcripts and reference letters should be enclosed. The application should preferably include a project description of about 1-2 pages.

An application inclusive CV, project description (1-2 pages), grade transcripts, and other enclosures are to be submitted via this page, marked with ref.no. IVT-46/11 and the number of the position.

Further Information

Application Deadline : 20 July 2011

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Posted on 2011-06-19 10:57:39

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