PhD position in Aluminium Extrusion

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

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHQjc4ndas&t=41sAbout the position The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MTP) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a PhD candidate within aluminium extrusion, associated with the Centre for Research-based Innovation SFI FAST – Future Aluminium Structures. The position is a 3-year doctoral research fellowship starting in 2026. The PhD candidate will be embedded in the forming research activities of SFI FAST and will work closely with NTNU, SINTEF, and leading international industrial partners in the aluminium value chain (Hydro, Benteler Automotive, Raufoss Technology, Speira, Raufoss Aluminium, Renault, etc). This PhD position focuses on aluminium extrusion of profiles based on high recycled content. The research will address process–microstructure–property relationships, weld integrity, die design, and product quality in extrusion of complex profiles from post-consumer scrap aluminium (PCS). The use of PCS in the production of structural components (i.e. automotive) is currently limited but is expected to grow as more stringent sustainability requirements and regulations come into effect. The candidate will establish and validate numerical forming simulations, predict PCS effects on seam- and charge weld quality, surface quality, integrate microstructure and texture evolution into the models, integrate quenching sequence in modelling, conduct industrial experiments, and demonstrate validity through use-cases in the project. The foci of the research work include practical experiments (including extrusion experiments, and mechanical/microstructure characterization tests), theoretical analysis, and numerical simulation. The candidate will work in collaboration with industrial partners and needs to be responsible for reporting progress and delivering outputs to the FAST centre. S/he will have the possibility to obtain a cotutelle (‘dual’) PhD degree between NTNU and University of Bologna, Italy.

About SFI FAST – Future Aluminium Structures SFI FAST (Future Aluminium Structures) is a national Centre for Research-based Innovation (SFI) funded by the Research Council of Norway and the aluminum industry. The centre is led by NTNU in close collaboration with SINTEF and a broad consortium of 16 leading industrial partners across the aluminium value chain. FAST runs from 2026 to 2033 and represents one of Norway’s most ambitious long-term research initiatives within aluminium materials, manufacturing technologies, and circular economy. The primary objective of FAST is to establish the scientific and technological knowledge base required to enable the large-scale use of post-consumer scrap (PCS) aluminium in high-value, structural, and safety-critical products. FAST adopts a through-scale and through-process research methodology, integrating materials science, manufacturing processes, product and structural design, and lifecycle performance. A key outcome of FAST is the development of the FAST Virtual Lab, a digital framework combining experimental data, physics-based models, and data-driven methods to support design, manufacturing, and decision-making across aluminium value chains. Education and competence building are central pillars of FAST. The centre will educate more than 18 PhD and postdoctoral researchers and over 100 MSc students, strengthening Norway’s international position in aluminium research and innovation. The two positions posted here will be among the first ones to start in the center.

Duties of the position

• Study, prototype and validate extrusion processes mechanisms for improved accuracy and mechanical properties • Investigate the impact of thermal-mechanical processing on the subsequent forming processes and end-product quality • Perform mechanical and microstructural testing, characterization and analysis to assess the properties of material and components • Investigate the process behaviours, mechanisms and models to improve and optimize the process capabilities • Conduct and publish high-level research at peer-reviewed journals and international conferences • Work closely with industry and employ the industry-as-laboratory concept for extrusion trials and studies • Participate and contribute to research group and FAST WP3 (Forming) activities, including mentoring and supervising MScs Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme, see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information • You must have a relevant Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis • Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position. • 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. • Strong academic background relevant to metal forming or aluminium processing • You must have experience in continuum-based modelling using FEA software • Good written and oral English skills The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• •Knowledge and testing skills in material characterization and microstructural analysis of aluminium alloys, using advance equipment like SEM, TEM, P-FIB, etc.
• •Experience in the design and development of machine tools in metal forming processes
• •Experience in using alternative, relevant modelling methods for material, process, and product behaviour (like using analytical, data-driven modelling approaches, AI, etc.)
• •Background from or knowing the NTNU/Norwegian or University of Bologna university system to be prepared for following the mandatory exchange path associated with a cotutelle PhD degree
• •Experience with industrial research and industry-as-a-laboratory type of activities

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

• Highly motivated • Able to work independently • Curious and enthusiastic • Strong ability to systematically carry out goal-oriented work • Enjoy and contribute to interdisciplinary research • Keen interest in learning and working in teams • Good skills to deliver oral and written presentation of research results • Strong interest in combining theory and practice through experimental and numerical research Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• •Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• •SFI FAST facilities, industrial network, and a joint PhD environment
• •An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleaguesAn 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