Postdoctoral Fellow in Welding Process–Performance Relationships for Recycled Aluminium Alloys

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About the position

The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MTP) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a postdoctoral candidate within process–performance correlation for welding of recycled Aluminium, funded through the Centre for Research-based Innovation SFI FAST Future Aluminium Structures. 

The position is a 3-year Postdoctoral research fellowship starting in 2027. The postdoctoral candidate will be embedded in the welding and structural integrity research activities of SFI FAST and will work closely with NTNU, SINTEF, and leading international industrial partners in the aluminium value chain.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

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 postconsumer 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

This postdoctoral position aims to address the following topics as critical steps toward the reliable fabrication of recycled aluminum structures through sustainable, data-driven welding routes. Therefore, the main tasks of the position are as follows:

• Process Parameter Development: Development and implementation of optimal arc and solid-state welding characteristics 
• Monitoring & Control: Developing an in-situ monitoring and control system to detect, characterize, and correct/mitigate defects during welding
• Characterization: Evaluating the microstructure and mechanical performance of fabricated aluminum components
• Process–performance correlation and data-assisted analysis: Establishing experimentally grounded relationships between real-time process monitoring data, microstructure, and mechanical performance to support process optimization and reliability assessment.
• Proposal development: Development of nationally (NFR) and internationally (EU) funded proposals, particularly with close collaboration with industry.
• Collaboration of PhD and M.Sc. projects: You will have a central role in connecting WP4 and WP5 in SFI FAST, where two PhD students will work on Welding Process Development and Fatigue Performance and Enhancement
• Dissemination: Presentation of research outcomes in the SFI FAST Center and publishing the project outcomes in high-quality journals 
• Contribute to project meetings, workshops, seminars etc.

You will report to Prof. Hosseini and Assoc. Professor Nima Razavi.

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Production Technology, Welding Engineering or related topics. 
• Documented track record in welding process research, including fusion and solid-state welding
• If you are in the final phase of your doctorate and can document that the thesis has been submitted or that the defense date has been confirmed, your application can be considered even if you have not defended. NOTE: Documentation of the obtained doctorate must be presented before you can take up the position.
• Documented track record in material testing with particular focus on testing fatigue and fracture behavior of welded or AM structures 
• Documented track record in welding metallurgy and materials characterization
• Experience with hands-on experimental welding, robot programming, and testing work 
• Excellent English language skills, oral and written
• Good track record of publications in Q1 journals

If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Documented track record in processing of Aluminium alloys
• Basic knowledge of robotic welding
• Knowledge in the development of weld monitoring systems
• Background in modelling (like thermal, thermodynamic, machine learning) 
• Industrial experience, particularly in the Nordic region
• Good language skills in Norwegian or one of the Nordic languages
• Experience of writing national and EU proposals 

Personal characteristics

Working as a Postdoctoral fellow requires that you

• Work independently 
• Work structured, set goals and make plans to achieve them 
• Engage and contribute constructively with feedback 
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity 
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject 
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions 
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed.
• Enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in working in project teams

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer 

• An exciting job with an important social mission
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment 
• Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program and together with you we will prepare a career plan, which contains the skills and knowledge you will acquire
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues 
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a Postdoctoral Fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 633 400,- per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them. 

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed

About the application 

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above.

The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request. 

The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-,Master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• CV
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you can attach a draft of the thesis. 
• Project outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project, and progress plan (maximum 1500 words/4 pages) 
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page). The motivation letter must be aligned with the subject of this call and why the candidate finds themselves suitable for this position.
• Academic works – top 10 published or unpublished 
• Possible recommendation letters
• Name and contact information of three referees

If all or parts of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation requiredcan be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Vahid Hosseini (vahid.hosseini@ntnu.no) or Assoc. Professor Nima Razavi (nima.razavi@ntnu.no).

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Senior Consultant, e-mail: hedda.winnberg@ntnu.no

If you find this position interesting, and in accordance with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. 

Application deadline: 02.11.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.