PhD position on digital design of structures according to the circular economy rules

The Department of Structural Engineering has a vacancy for a

PhD position on digital design of structures according to the circular

economy rules

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

About the job

We have a vacancy for a PhD position in Structural Engineering Design at the Department of Structural Engineering.

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

The building industry is currently facing significant challenges. The increasing cost of building materials, low productivity, little automation and becoming more environmentally friendly are some of the challenges that need to be overcome. Reusing elements from deconstructed buildings is a significant step forward, but considerable progress must be made before this is cost- effective.

Conceptual design involves quick decisions and rapid changes that influence the structural system of the building. Automatic generation of models and design verifications are needed to make the design process more efficient. Integration of finite element analysis in parametric models currently demands time and knowledge. Some experiments applying machine learning or another artificial intelligence algorithm to substitute demanding structural analysis have already been performed with positive results.

The circular economy approach is used in many disciplines. We give new life to structural elements already used in architecture and engineering. This research project will investigate better ways to design structures with limited resources. The project will focus on applying digital tools in a typical design environment. The research aims to improve the design method and methodology so that using reclaimed elements can be much easier and more accessible to the participants in the design process. The concept stage in the design process will be emphasized.

The Conceptual Structural Design Group has greatly developed over the last few years, focusing on algorithm-aided design, knowledge-based design, optimization, digital fabrication, rapid prototyping, and much more. We work with all digital design problems but have particular experience from the conceptual design phase.

You will report to the supervising professors.

Duties of the position

Develop a digital framework to help the designer (architect or engineer) to apply reclaimed elements in their designs

Develop a method based on AI algorithms to support structural design in the concept stage

Develop design recommendations that can be implemented in design codes

Develop a methodology for digital design from reclaimed materials

Required selection criteria

You must have a professionally relevant background in Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science.

Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level

You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.

Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented by 01.10.2023

You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program

You must have good written and oral English language skills

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant

Preferred selection criteria

education within Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science.

experience in finite element modelling in structural analysis

experience with software coding in Python, C#, matlab or C++

experience within Algorithm Aided Design (Dynamo or Grasshopper)

interest in programming, artificial intelligence, and machine learning

interest in sustainability aspects in the building sector

good written and oral Norwegian language skills

Personal characteristics

motivated and ambitious

good cooperation abilities

excellent communication skills, both written and oral

proficiency to carry out goal-oriented work

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 PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 501 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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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.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

CV and certificates

transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.

A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.

Project proposal

Name and contact information of three referees

If you have publications or other relevant research work

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, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short 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.

General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees' needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality.

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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.

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As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

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.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Marcin Luczkowski, telephone 73594534, email [email protected] If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Kristine Grønvold, e-mail: [email protected]

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.

Application deadline: 06.03.2023

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 Structural Engineering

We teach mechanical engineering, engineering and ICT, and civil and environmental engineering. The Department conducts internationally leading research and participates in several large national research projects. The Department of Structural Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline

6th March 2023

Employer

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Municipality

Trondheim

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Temporary

Place of service