PhD Candidates in advanced arc and friction stir welding processes for recycled aluminium

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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHQjc4ndas&t=41sAbout the position The position is a 3-year doctoral research fellowship starting in 2027. The PhD candidate will be embedded in the welding and joining research activities of SFI FAST and will work closely with NTNU, SINTEF, and leading international industrial partners in the aluminium value chain. The PhD position focuses on understanding the influence of impurities coming from recycled Aluminium on the weldability of different alloys. These impurities can alter the weldability, microstructure, and performance of Aluminium welds compared to the reference alloy. Solidification and liquation cracking, pore formation, heat-affected zone softening, and degradation of corrosion resistance are some examples of possible challenges. However, the knowledge is limited about any of these possible changes. Therefore, the candidate needs to provide a thorough investigation of the welding process using conventional techniques and develop new methodologies. In addition, the welding procedure adoption to enhance the performance of the alloys based on their metallurgical characteristics shall be developed. Therefore, the candidate should have a great understanding of the welding process-microstructure-performance. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. You will be supervised by Professor Vahid Hosseini.

About the project 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 15 leading industrial partners across the aluminium value chain. FAST runs from 2026 to 2034 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 Centre. Please see the centre’s website: Future Aluminium Structures (FAST) - NTNU

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate • Take part in the mandatory PhD research education programme • Develop arc welding (GTAW and GMAW) and Friction stir welding for alloys with different impurity levels to minimize welding defects and improve mechanical and corrosion performance • Develop knowledge in the influence of impurities on the weld’s physics, defects, microstructure, and performance • Thermodynamic modelling of solidification and precipitation behaviour of recycled aluminium • Development of weldability tests to quantify welding performance of Aluminium Alloys • Advanced characterization of welded samples using Laser Confocal Microscopy, In-situ mechanical testing, SEM, FIB, and EBSD. • Conduct and publish high-level research in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences • Work closely with industrial and academic partners and participate in relevant SFI FAST activities, including mentoring and supervising MSc students 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, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering 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. • You must have an academically relevant background within fusion and solid-state welding, welding metallurgy, and material characterization • Documented strong background in: • Experimental welding research • Material characterization and testing • Excellent written presentation skills and oral English language skills The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• •Basic knowledge of robotic welding
• •Knowledge of weld monitoring systems with focus on arc characteristics and thermal cycle analysis
• •Knowledge of thermomechanical modelling of welding process
• •Scandinavian language skills

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

• Highly motivated • Able to work independently • Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them • Present and discuss your research with other professionals • Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback • Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity • Show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject • Analyse data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions • Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed • Keen interest in learning and working in teams 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 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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