PhD Candidate in Hydraulic and Geotechnical Engineering of Embankment Dams

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Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0About the position Embankment Dam Safety under Flexible Hydropower Operation: Internal Erosion and Filter Performance About the position The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (IBM) NTNU is seeking a PhD Candidate for a research project in the RenewHydro research centre. This position focuses on understanding and mitigating the effects of flexible hydropower operation on potential internal erosion processes in embankment dams. The research will involve experimental investigations, data analysis, and possible field work, in collaboration with the Norwegian Hydropower Industry. The prospective candidate will be part of the relevant research groups at IBM but will also collaborate with other NTNU departments within the RenewHydro Center and relevant stakeholders. Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department and the supervisors of the project will come from both the Hydraulic Research Group and the Geotechnical Research Group. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project The PhD project will generate knowledge to address the challenges of maintaining and extending the lifetime of embankment dams while increasing the flexibility of hydropower technology. In doing so, the PhD project will support the RenewHydro centre objective of providing knowledge and solutions that enable flexible hydropower to support the energy transition and reach national energy, climate and nature targets. The main objective of PhD research is to develop knowledge that supports the hydropower industry in the safe design of future dams and management of existing embankment dams, including those subjected to flexible hydropower operation. Emphasis will be placed on the performance of filters protecting moraine (glacial till) cores against internal erosion. The research will combine studies of existing embankment dams in Norway with extensive laboratory testing of core and filter materials, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to the future safety and sustainability of hydropower infrastructure.

Duties of the position

• Complete doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate • Take responsibility for the progress of the research project and for developing an industrial and academic network • Conduct high-quality research, including experimental research, within the framework of the project • Participate in the Hydraulic Research Group and the Geotechnical Research Group. • Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions • Collaboration with other PhD candidates and partners within RenewHydro • Supervision of master’s thesis students that are contributing to the PhD project with their MSc thesis • Dissemination of research through scientific publications and presentations at national and international conferences Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in hydraulic or geotechnical engineering or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level • Master’s students at NTNU can apply, provided they can start contributing to the research project through their master’s thesis. The Master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position, and no later than summer 2027. • You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works. • You must have completed at least one course in geotechnical engineering and one course in fluid mechanics or hydraulic engineering • You must be able to conduct research in both laboratory and field environments and demonstrate your interest in experimental research work • You must have knowledge of embankment dams, including internal erosion and seepage problems • You must have excellent written and oral communication skills in English • You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme, see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information. PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”. The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• •Experience with laboratory testing in geotechnical and/or hydraulic laboratories
• •Experience with experimental research and data analysis
• •Analytical and programming skills for scientific computing and data analysis (e.g. Python, MATLAB, R, or similar)
• •Experience with numerical modelling is an advantage
• •Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level C2

Personal characteristics To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

• Work independently and take responsibility for research progress • Work in a well-organized and structured manner, set goals and make plans to achieve them • Collaborate effectively and communicate clearly with colleagues, students, and industry partners • Show curiosity and strong motivation for the research topic • Work in laboratory environments, analyze data, evaluate different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions • Work carefully and systematically, with attention to detail and the ability to follow research protocols, technical procedures, and scientific publication standards • Be flexible and open to adapting the project plan as needed, and able to work effectively under pressure and changing circumstances Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society • Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment • Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period • Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues • Working capital that can be used to implement the project • Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU • Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK) • Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2) As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

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