Postdoctoral fellow position at NTNU in Power Electronics Reliability

The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, http://www.ntnu.edu/ie at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a 100% position as Post Doctoral Researchers at Department of Electric Power Engineering http://www.ntnu.edu/elkraft (IEL)Information about the departmentCurrently there are 9 professors and 8 associate professors at the department. In addition, there are 7 adjunct associate professors, 7 postdoctoral researchers and approx. 30 PhD students. Research activities are organized into two groups: Power systems and Power Technology.Information about the positionThe postdoctoral fellowship will be within a 20 MNOK research project entitled Reliability and ruggedness of high power high voltage power electronics (ReliPE), which is led by SINTEF Energy Research, with NTNU, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Statkraft, Électricité de France (EDF), GE Energy Power Conversion, and Mitsubishi Electric as project partners. The project is co-funded by The Research Council of Norway. The objective of the project is to strengthen the research on reliability of power electronics with main focus on the power semiconductors. The project aims to improve the cost-efficiency of high power converter systems through increased reliability, better understanding of failure mechanisms and tools for lifetime estimation. The postdoctoral fellowship will be granted for 2 years. Preferably, the starting date should be before July 2017. Work descriptionIt is expected that the postdoctoral fellow will have special emphasis on the assessment of methods for condition monitoring and lifetime prediction of components subjected to thermal stress, and their applicability for power semiconductors in his/her research. The successful candidate is also expected to contribute towards the development of new methods and standards for evaluating the reliability and lifetime of state-of-the-art Silicon IGBTs, and SiC power transistors. Based on the research outcomes, the postdoctoral researcher is also supposed to suggest design guidelines for high-power electronic converters by taking into consideration the findings of lifetime assessments. The candidate is expected to integrate with the project group as a whole, participate in and contribute to meetings and workshops, visit partners, and to contribute with ideas to their work, and to publish his/her research in highly-ranked scientific journals and conferences in collaboration with the other Universities and Industrial partners. The postdoctoral fellow is furthermore expected to contribute to research training and education within applied power electronics, in companionship with Assoc. Prof. Dimosthenis Peftitsis at NTNU. This includes supervision of MSc and PhD students, lecturing in Prof. Peftitsis’ courses, and building up course material on design of power electronics, including aspects of semiconductor theory, reliability, and wide bandgap devices. It is also intended that the course material developed can be used in tutorials for industry and academia. QualificationsApplicants are strictly advised to address the following selection criteria:
  • A PhD degree in electrical engineering, with a thesis on power electronics, laboratory oriented, and preferably with emphasis on understanding of power semiconductors and reliability.
  • Scientific publications in top-ranked international scientific journals and conferences.
  • A high level of personal responsibility, initiative, and ability to work in a project team as well as independently.
  • Excellent analytical and communication skills, and the ability to communicate with both technical and administrative staff.
  • Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
  • The ability to teach and to guide MSc and PhD students in relevant topics.
  • Applicants are required to submit a one-page research proposal within the proposed research area.

Applicants currently enrolled in a PhD programme who expect to pursue the PhD degree before the date of appointment must forward documentation for the date of their final exam.Appointments are made in accordance with the regulations in force regarding terms of employment for Post Doctoral Researchers issued by the Ministry of Education and Research, with relevant parts of the additional guidelines for appointment as a Post Doctoral researcher at NTNU. The person who is appointed must comply with the conditions that apply at any time to employees in the public sector. In addition, a contract will be signed regarding the period of employment.Applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language must provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. The following tests can be used as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English. (CPE). Minimum scores are:TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)CAE/CPE: grade B or A.Salary conditions:The position is in code 1352 Post doctor, salary grade 57–72 in the Norwegian State salary scale, gross NOK 488 900 – 647 700 per year, depending on qualifications. A deduction of 2% is made as a statutory contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Dimosthenis Peftitsis, dimosthenis.peftitsis@ntnu.no or Prof. Ole-Morten Midtgård,ole-morten.midtgard@ntnu.noGeneral:We can offer
  • an informal and friendly workplace with dedicated colleagues
  • academic challenges
  • attractive schemes for home loans, insurance and pensions in the Norwegian Public Service Pension FundThe appointment is subject to the conditions in effect at any time for employees in the public sector. As far as possible, the State workforce should reflect the diversity of the population. Goals of our personnel policy therefore include a balanced distribution in terms of age and gender as well as recruitment of people of immigrant background. NTNU wants to increase the proportion of women in its scientific posts. Women are encouraged to apply. Under Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act, information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have his or her name entered on the list of applicants. The application with a CV and certified copies of diplomas and certificates must be sent electronically via www.jobbnorge.no with information about education, scientific experience including a list of relevant publications (including a brief description of your contribution if this is not obvious) and other relevant work experience (all in one combined PDF file). Mark the application IME 035-2017. Deadline for applications: 2017-03-27