PhD Candidate in Physics and Nanotechnology

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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

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

This PhD position is within the field of experimental materials physics and nanotechnology, in the project «Fabricating multilayer magnetic skyrmion TEM-membranes for nanoscale in-operando studies». Magnetic skyrmions are nanoscale stable magnetic textures which move when a current is applied. Due to their potential for low-power operations, they are contenders for the next step in low-power devices and computation. However, due to their small size and magnetic nature, they are difficult to image, especially while moving due to an electric current.

The aim is to both make and study such magnetic skyrmions, by depositing the thin film material at NTNU NanoLab, make highly customizable TEM-membranes using the back etching technique, and then perform in-situ magnetic nanocharacterization at the NORTEM Trondheim Node. The ultimate goal is to perform in-operando studies in the TEM on nanostructured skyrmion thin films.

This PhD project will include a large amount of experimental work, both with newly installed nano- and microfabrication equipment in the clean room at NTNU NanoLab, and the NORTEM TEMs. Of special interest is the state-of-the-art NORTEM JEM-ARM300CF, which will be installed in the summer 2025.

The work will be done at the NORTEM Trondheim node/TEM Gemini Center and NTNU NanoLab. This position will include 25% duty work at NTNU NanoLab.

Starting date August or September 2024. Later starting date is also possible, but must be stated in the application. Latest start date is 1st of December 2024.

Your immediate leader is the supervising Associate Professor.

Duties of the position

• Develop deposition, nano- and microstructuring techniques for making magnetic skyrmion structures
• Develop the methodology for doing in-situ and in-operando magnetic TEM experiments with skyrmions
• Publish results in scientific journals and conferences

Required selection criteria

• You must have an educational background within nanotechnology, physics, material science or related field
• 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 before starting the position.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program
• Good written and oral English language skills
• Experience with experimental work within physics, nanotechnology or material science
• Basic programming 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

• Experience with electron microscopy, preferably transmission electron microscopy
• Experience with working in a clean room
• Experience with microfabrication techniques, such as photolithography and etching
• Experience with programming and/or data processing in Python
• Knowledge about magnetic materials

Personal characteristics

• Curiosity-driven personality with a general interest in science
• Ability to work both independently and in collaboration
• Analytical mindset and good problem-solving skills
• Ability to clearly communicate ideas and knowledge

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 532 200 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 4 years, with 25 % teaching duties at NTNU NanoLab.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Physics (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phfy) 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 be attached to 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. Master students who expect to complete their studies by summer 2024 are encouraged to apply
• 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.
• Name and contact information of two 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, 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 Associate Professor Magnus Nord, telephone +47 73 59 34 19, email magnus.nord@ntnu.no.

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: 29.05.24