PhD Research Fellows in Civil and Structural Engineering

About the position

A 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow within Civil and Structural engineering, for a period of three years. The position is affiliated with the Department of Engineering Sciences at Campus Grimstad.

The PhD project is related to rehabilitation of concrete structures using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC/UHPFRC). The position is located at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is negotiable with the faculty.

Responsibilities

The project involves development, testing, and implementation of UHPC solutions for the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure in Norway. The project is connected to the research group at UiA Construction and building materials . The PhD project can involve the following: 

• Developing UHPC mix designs for the specific application. 
• Conducting laboratory experiments and field tests to evaluate the performance.
• Investigating the mechanical and durability properties.
• Investigating structural capacity of structures repaired with UHPC. 

The research is aimed at providing new insights into the use of UHPC in Norway to extend the service life of infrastructure and improve load-carrying capacity.

Further information about the PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Science.

Required qualifications

The applicant for the PhD position must hold a master’s degree in civil and structural engineering or equivalent.

To be admitted into the PhD programme in Engineering and Science, the following should normally apply:

• The average grade for courses included in the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) should be C (or equivalent) or higher.
• The average grade for all courses (including the dissertation) in the master’s degree should be B (or equivalent) or higher.
• The master's dissertation (or equivalent) should have the grade B (or equivalent) or higher.
• When the applicant's average grades are lower than required, the hosting research group at the Faculty of Engineering and Science must document the probability of the applicant being able to complete the PhD programme. In such an event, the Faculty of Engineering and Science may recommend extra requirements to be included in the basis for admission.
• Competence in English is a requirement for all applicants to the PhD programme. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT), must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
  • TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
  • IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document that describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree. 

Mastering Norwegian or another Scandinavian language both oral and written is advantageous, as communication with stakeholders from the industry will be important. This competence will be emphasised. 

Applicants will be assessed based on academic background and results, personal skills, as well as previous research and development work.

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences

Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

Desired qualifications

• Previous experience with research work.
• Laboratory experience, preferably with concrete.
• Relevant master thesis or master courses.
• Mastering Norwegian or another Scandinavian language both oral and written.
• Experienced in working with both industrial and academic partners.

Personal qualities

• Ability to work independently and goal oriented.
• Have good teamwork skills.
• Good communication skills both orally and in writing.

We offer

• Professional development in an exciting and socially influential organisation
• A positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
• Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
• Membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. 

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 532 200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV. Women are strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:

• CV and application letter summarizing the applicant’s motivation and accomplishments.
• Diplomas and transcripts with grades from your Bachelor and Master degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• Copy of the Master’s thesis. Candidates in the closing stages of their master’s degree can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Three references and/or letters of recommendation, including contact details.
• Academic work and R&D projects, as well as a list of these.
• Research proposal for rehabilitation of concrete structures using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) (max. 3 pages) including reference list. The outline should present and discuss possible research questions, theory perspectives, material, and a progress plan.
• Any other relevant documentation.

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Application deadline: 01.10.24.

Contact

For questions about the position:

• Ingrid Lande, tel. +47 46 64 58 57 e-mail ingrid.lande@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

• Senior HR Advisor Heidi Kristensen, tel. +47 920 20 801, e-mail heidi.kristensen@uia.no 

Creating knowledge together

When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.

The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.

Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?

University of Agder

The University of Agder has more than 1500 employees and almost 14 000 students, making us one of Southern Norway's largest workplaces. Our dedicated staff engage in research, teaching and dissemination across a diverse range of fields.

The university is located on two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad.