PhD Research Fellow in Hydrogen storage for a stationary hub

Deadline : 31 August 2022

Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in hydrogen storage is available at Department of Technology Systems, ITS.

Preferred starting date 1st January 2023.

The fellowship period is 3 years. No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

The available PhD Research fellow position is part of the newly established Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) HYDROGENi, which is a collabora-tive effort from over 50 Norwegian and European partners focusing on research and innovations within hydrogen and ammonia.

The PhD candidate will work closely with our partner company Siemens, and other international academic collaborators with the goal of enabling hydrogen storage for emerging large-scale applications.

Efficient hydrogen storage is key for the deployment of hydrogen as an energy car-rier. For safe and effective storage in metal hydrides, the alloy composition needs to be optimized to improve the performances, the cost and environmental sustain-ability of the medium. The candidate will focus on the synthesis and characteriza-tion of low-temperature and low-pressure TiFe-based metal hydrides, and the ef-fect of partial element substitution on the structural and hydrogenation properties, on cycle life and resistance to contamination.


Solid-state synthesis, structural and hydrogenation characterization will be per-formed at laboratories at UiO, at Synchrotron and Neutron powder diffraction beamlines, and at facilities of our partners. A pilot storage system containing the new metal hydrides will be tested and optimized under realistic conditions of the designed stationary hub envisioned by Siemens.

The candidate will be part of a vibrant research group at the Energy Systems section of the Department of Technology Systems, UiO, at Kjeller, interacting with a team of researchers, PhD and master students, and a network of international colleagues (for instance prof. Jacques Huot, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, among others). Furthermore, the PhD candidate will be part of a national network of PhD candidates through a parallel project HySchool (Norwegian research school on hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels) where ITS is leading the activities on hydrogen storage and distribution.

The research and innovation environment of HYDROGENi will offer a unique opportunity to enable cross-disciplinary ideas towards sustainable introduction and use of hydrogen technologies. With the project the candidate will gain solid foundations to develop competences in a growing field of global relevance.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Required qualifications:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in chemistry, physics, energy, engineering, or related topic
  • Documented knowledge or research background on metal hydrides, hydro-gen technology, energy storage
  • The candidate should also possess good interpersonal and communication skills and show high level of motivation to work as part of an international team
  • Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system

Desired qualifications:

  • Competence in solid-state synthesis (for instance arc melting, ball milling)
  • Experience with X-ray diffraction
  • Familiarity with pressure-composition-temperature measurements
  • Experience with Rietveld refinement
  • Familiarity with other microstructural analysis techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
  • Ability to write in a structured, clear and concise manner

Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:

  • The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
  • The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
  • The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educa-tional system
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
  • English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:

https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

Personal skills

  • High interest in the topic
  • Critical thinking, attitude for team work and knowledge sharing
  • Willingness to travel abroad for short periods of research to collaborative partners
  • Positive and inclusive attitude to colleagues and students with various backgrounds and skills
  • Ability to work in a structured manner

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:

We offer

  • Salary NOK 501 200 – 534 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
  • Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
  • Vibrant international academic environment
  • Career development programmes
  • Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

  • Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
  • CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
  • Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Documentation of English proficiency
  • List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
  • Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Contact information

For further information please contact: Sabrina Sartori, phone: +47 98676975, e-mail: sabrina.sartori@its.uio.no

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no

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