Researcher in Degradation in Solid Insulation Systems under Power Electronics Converter Stresses

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

About the Job

The Department of Electric Energy (IEL) at NTNU has a vacancy for a full-time 100% position as a Researcher within the field of degradation and breakdown in solid insulation systems under power electronics converter stresses. 

During the last decades power electronic converters (PECs) have been introduced to control and transform electric power – and permeate society for numerous applications: zero-emission transport, renewable energy, and transmission. The PEC is a key technology to succeed with electrification of society and reach the climate goals set out by EU and UN.

PECs function as on/off switches, resulting in sharp-edged square wave voltages with high repetition rate. These sharp voltage flanks introduce different stress distributions internally in components and can induce or accelerate degradation and lead to premature breakdown. The SwoP (Impact of switched voltage waveforms on power components and grids) project will develop methods to measure, characterize and predict the increased stresses and accelerated degradation on power components exposed to fast PECs.  Failure modes in electrical insulation will typically be partial discharges (PD), i.e., small local sparks that degrade insulation, and dielectric heating. PD measurements are feasible for quality assurance and factory assessment testing, as it identifies potential defects. However, there is no good documentation of correlation between PD level and life expectancy. Performing ageing studies along with diagnostics (e.g., PD and dielectric spectroscopy) gives insight in the relevance and information that could be derived from PD measurement. This should be combined with analysis of the mechanical and chemical material deterioration that leads to decreased electric withstand strength. To manufacture novel and lightweight insulation systems for electric propulsion and renewable energy generation, knowledge is thus needed on degradation mechanisms and suitable insulation materials under PEC stresses.

The work of this project will be associated with the project SwoP, which is a collaborative project involving NTNU, SINTEF Energy Research, University of Bologna (UniBo) and several national and international industry partners. The Researcher will be employed at NTNU, and the workplace will be in Trondheim, in connection with this research project, with exchange to the University of Bologna for one year. The prospective candidate will be part of a project team that works in close collaboration with SINTEF, UniBo and industry partners.

The main supervisor will be Professor Kaveh Niayesh (NTNU) and the co-supervisors will be Prof. Andrea Cavallini (UniBo) and Dr. Espen Eberg (SINTEF Energy Research).

The position reports to the Head of Department. The main workplace will be in Trondheim.

Duties of the position

• Develop methods to measure, characterize and predict the increased stresses and accelerated degradation on power components exposed to fast PECs.Perform ageing studies and apply appropriate diagnostics methods.
• The results of the project are expected to be published in high-quality scientific journals and presented at conferences and for research partners as well as for user partners within the project.

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a Norwegian master's degree or corresponding foreign master's degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian master's degree in Electric Power Engineering, Physics, Material Science, or Electrical Engineering. 
• You must have very good English language skills, both written and spoken, corresponding minimum to the scale B2, preferably C1, in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside EU/EEA/Switzerland must provide preliminary documentation of English language proficiency, in terms of an approved test. One of the following test scores could be documented for this purpose: 
  • TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) — iBT enhanced score reporting is required. Your proficiency level for the overall test should correspond to a score in the range 101 – 79. Your proficiency level for each test section should correspond to at least ‘high intermediate’ level.
  • IELTS — 7, with no section lower than 6.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted) 
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) — 185 – 176.

Further assessment of both written and oral English language skills, and the ability to communicate fluently, will be conducted in the continued selection process and during any interviews for the shortlisted applicants. 

Preferred selection criteria

• A Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in Electric Power Engineering, Physics, Material Science, or Electrical Engineering. Applicants with a doctoral degree will be prioritized in the selection process.
• Work and/or research experience in high voltage engineering.
• Experience with running and building lab setups could be beneficial.

Personal characteristics

• Inquisitive, self-motivated, and self-driven with a strong ability to work both independently, and in cooperation with others when required. 
• Communicates information with clarity and ease, both orally and in writing. 
• Structured, targeted and solution-oriented. 
• Creativity and innovation in research.
• Scientific mindset. 

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

The gross salary for the position of Researcher (code 1108, without a PhD degree) is normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. The gross salary for the position of Researcher (code 1109, with a PhD degree) is normally paid from gross NOK 594 500 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 employment contract is for two years.

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

Employment in the position required external funding. 

It is a prerequisite you can be present physically at and accessible to the institution at campus Trondheim on a daily basis.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

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.  If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result. 

The application must include: 

• A cover letter where the applicant describes personal motivation and relevance with respect to the requirements of this advertisement (1 page maximum).
• CV, testimonials, and certificates.
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your Ph.D, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis/doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting or have recently submitted your master/doctoral thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master’s/doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Academic works – published or unpublished – that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 items).
• Research plan (2 – 4 pages with references).
• English language proficiency documentation.
• Name and contact information of three references.

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. 
 

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.  

In the assessment of the best qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience, and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA. This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

General information

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.  

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

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.

———————-

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 Professor Kaveh Niayesh (e-mail: kaveh.niayesh@ntnu.no) and/or Dr. Espen Eberg (e-mail: espen.eberg@sintef.no). If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Sven Robert Storø, e-mail: sven.r.storo@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: 18.11.24

DIVERSE INFO

Kilde: NAV stillingsannonser
https://arbeidsplassen.nav.no/stillinger/stilling/638d39e8-0cfb-4c72-91e8-c4199614ee7c
IMPORTAPI
https://www.jobbnorge.no/ledige-stillinger/stilling/269634