About this role
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://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0 About the position The Department of Energy and Process Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has a vacancy for a PhD candidate in Advanced High-Temperature Heat Pump Systems. The position focuses on developing advanced solutions for multi-level recovery and upgrading of industrial waste heat using absorption-based high-temperature heat pump technologies. The PhD candidate will be part of a dynamic and collaborative research environment working on combined heat and power. The project offers opportunities to contribute to research with strong relevance for the decarbonization of industry, while gaining expertise in modelling, analysis, and potentially experimental investigation of advanced heat pump systems. The successful candidate will work closely with academic staff and may collaborate with industrial partners, providing valuable experience and strong career development opportunities within energy and process engineering. 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. About the project Industrial processes generate large amounts of waste heat at multiple temperature levels, which remain underutilized due to technological and operational limitations. Efficient recovery and upgrading of this heat are essential for improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in industrial systems. This PhD project focuses on the development of multi-level waste heat recovery systems based on absorption high-temperature heat pumps, with particular emphasis on dynamic behavior and system integration. The research will combine dynamic modelling, numerical simulation, and experimental investigation using an existing absorption heat pump/refrigeration test facility. The study will address the challenges associated with variable operating conditions, fluctuating heat sources, and transient industrial processes. Advanced dynamic models will be developed to simulate system performance, optimize control strategies, and evaluate system response under realistic operating scenarios. Experimental validation will be performed to ensure model accuracy and to improve system design. The outcomes will contribute to the development of flexible, efficient, and robust thermal energy systems capable of utilizing multi-temperature waste heat, supporting industrial decarbonization and sustainable energy transitions. Duties of the position Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above Design, test and optimization in advanced high-temperature heat pump Academic publications and popular science dissemination Participate in the research group Process and Power Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions Supervise master’s thesis students related to the project Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment. Required selection criteria You must have a relevant master’s degree in mechanical engineering, thermal engineering or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position. You must have a strong 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 grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education. You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme Good oral and written presentation skills in English to level B2 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 Research and/or engineering experience from related heat pump technologies, refrigeration technologies, or combined heat and power Basic programming skills Experience with lab Oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian/Scandinavian languages Personal characteristics To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are 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 Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed 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 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