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 Geosciences (IGV) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a full-time PhD Candidate in Methodology Development for Utilisation of Mining Waste (waste rock and tailings) - IV-28/26. The successful candidate will join an international and interdisciplinary research environment within the Mining Engineering Research Group at NTNU, working closely with researchers, PhD candidates, and industrial partners focused on sustainable mineral technologies for the future. The Mining Engineering Research Group at NTNU provides a dynamic and collaborative working environment with access to advanced laboratory infrastructure and strong links to academia and industry. The position offers excellent opportunities for scientific development, international collaboration, conference participation, and contribution to research supporting the green and circular transition. 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 main supervisor will be Associate Professor Maria Thornhill. About the project The PhD project will address the challenges of using, reusing or recycling mining waste (waste rock and tailings) from the Norwegian mining industry. This represents one of the industry’s main challenges. It is necessary to work towards better solutions to maximise the utilisation of the resources and minimise the negative environmental impact. Developing mining waste into products is complicated by diffuse and partially counterproductive technical, legal and economic factors. Hence, it is important to map the relevant framework (the sum of the contributing factors) and identify the critical framework conditions by performing a systematic conceptual study. First, the project aims to identify and analyse the challenges that may prevent utilisation or lead to sub-optimal use. Secondly, it will take a critical look at the information needs and the availability of the information needed to develop different product categories or allow specific uses. Thirdly, the project proposes the use of cost-benefit analysis to identify, evaluate and propose facilitating measures. The latter may include information and communication measures, legal or political measures or technological solutions for specific resources. The project will ultimately result in a set of guidelines, protocols or screening tests for developing uses for mining waste based on its characteristics. This would allow mining companies to explore their possibilities in a more cost efficient manner, hopefully increasing utilisation of the mineral resource. The project will interact with the Norwegian mining industry to exchange knowledge and information and to develop the specific project activities. The successful candidate will become part of the newly established MIN30 initiative at the NTNU Mineral Centre, a strategic research initiative focused on securing the future supply of critical minerals through sustainable and innovative technologies. The centre covers the entire mineral value chain, including exploration and resource characterisation, mineral processing and extraction, by-product utilisation, recycling, metal production, and environmental aspects associated with sustainable and responsible resource development. The MIN30 initiative will recruit several PhD candidates working on both fundamental studies and industrial applications related to future mineral and mining technologies and -methodologies. The candidate hired in this position will be integrated with other PhD candidates and researchers within the centre. Duties of the position The PhD candidate will investigate the framework for utilising mining waste. Main research tasks include: Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate. Take responsibility for the progress of the research project and for developing an industrial network. Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above. Participate in the Mining Engineering Research Group . Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at external institutions. Collaboration with other PhD candidates and industrial partners within the MIN30 initiative 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 Mining or mineral processing, materials science or chemistry, industrial ecology, or a relevant degree in geology or geoscience. 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 and no later than 01.09.2026. 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