PhD candidate in 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 project aims to demonstrate a proof-of-concept multilayer device for efficient low-power readout of the microstate in coupled nanomagnetic ensembles (artificial spin systems). Such coupled nanomagnets can be used as hardware for neuromorphic computing, however establishing efficient schemes for input encoding and electrical read-out of these system states are essential. The project will make a multilayer device with a complex oxide read-out layer with the nanomagnets on top. The main focus will be using advanced nanofabrication technology for the deposition of different layers and patterning/lithography of the device, coupled with the understanding of intrinsic properties of materials and interface couplings.

The PhD position in the field of nanotechnology for future spintronics is available at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. This project is interdisciplinary, and the PhD candidate will be part of a larger group using pulsed laser deposition as a tool to engineer new quantum materials, within the Functional Materials and Materials Chemistry Research Group (FACET – http://www.ntnu.edu/ima/research/facet) and a group focusing on artificial spin ice for novel computing systems (COMET - https://www.ntnu.edu/web/ie/eecs/COMET#/view/about)

Your immediate leader is the Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Duties of the position

• To fabricate nanomagnetic devices using pulsed laser deposition and sputtering and cleanroom facilities.
• To actively take part in the multidisciplinary activity of the research group (project meetings, workshops, etc.).
• To characterize nanomagnetic systems using lab-based measurement techniques such as magnetic force microscopy, magneto-optic Kerr microscopy, transport set-ups and magnetometry.
• To actively apply for beamtime at international synchrotron facilities and take part in such measurements, e.g., X-PEEM.
• To actively take part in the guidance of master students in the group.
• To develop and disseminate research results on the subject through scientific publications.
• To contribute to duty work at NTNU Nanolab.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in either functional materials, nanoelectronics, physics or equivalent.
• 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 01.11.2024.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program
• To ensure progress in this project, the candidate must be able to start in the position no later than 01.11.2024.
• We require excellent written and oral communication skills. For candidates who are neither native English speakers nor from Scandinavia the following tests can be used as documentation for English skills: TOEFL, Acadmeic IELTS, and Cambridge CAE or CPE. Minimum scores are:
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (internet-based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5 with no section lower than 5.5
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A

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 within the field of nanomagnetism.
• Experience with cleanroom micro and nanofabrication.
• Experience with thin film deposition techniques.
• Experience with magnetic/transport measurements.

Personal characteristics

• The successful candidates can take responsibility for progress and work independently.
• The candidate has good communication skills and can collaborate closely with other members of the group.
• The candidate is creative and innovative.
• The candidates must be diligent and able to show initiative on behalf of their own work.
• Enjoy interdisciplinary research.

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 491 200 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 Material Science and 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 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. 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.
• Motivation letter (1 page detailing why you are interested in this particular position).
• 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 Associate Professor Ingrid Hallsteinsen, email: ingrid.hallsteinsen@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Marie Kristiansen, e-mail: marie.kristiansen@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: 13.06.2024.