PhD Candidates in advanced arc and friction stir welding processes for recycled aluminium

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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHQjc4ndas&t=41sAbout the position The position is a 3-year doctoral research fellowship starting in 2027. The PhD candidate will be embedded in the welding and joining research activities of SFI FAST and will work closely with NTNU, SINTEF, and leading international industrial partners in the aluminium value chain. The PhD position focuses on understanding the influence of impurities coming from recycled Aluminium on the weldability of different alloys. These impurities can alter the weldability, microstructure, and performance of Aluminium welds compared to the reference alloy. Solidification and liquation cracking, pore formation, heat-affected zone softening, and degradation of corrosion resistance are some examples of possible challenges. However, the knowledge is limited about any of these possible changes. Therefore, the candidate needs to provide a thorough investigation of the welding process using conventional techniques and develop new methodologies. In addition, the welding procedure adoption to enhance the performance of the alloys based on their metallurgical characteristics shall be developed. Therefore, the candidate should have a great understanding of the welding process-microstructure-performance.   Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. You will be supervised by Professor Vahid Hosseini. About the project 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 15 leading industrial partners across the aluminium value chain. FAST runs from 2026 to 2034 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 post-consumer 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 • Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate • Take part in the mandatory PhD research education programme • Develop arc welding (GTAW and GMAW) and Friction stir welding for alloys with different impurity levels to minimize welding defects and improve mechanical and corrosion performance • Develop knowledge in the influence of impurities on the weld’s physics, defects, microstructure, and performance • Thermodynamic modelling of solidification and precipitation behaviour of recycled aluminium • Development of weldability tests to quantify welding performance of Aluminium Alloys  • Advanced characterization of welded samples using Laser Confocal Microscopy, In-situ mechanical testing, SEM, FIB, and EBSD. • Conduct and publish high-level research in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences • Work closely with industrial and academic partners and participate in relevant SFI FAST activities, including mentoring and supervising MSc students Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment. Required selection criteria • You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme, see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information. • You must have a relevant Master's degree in Mechanical engineering, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis • Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position • You must have a strong and relevant 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 academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works. • You must have an academically relevant background within fusion and solid-state welding, welding metallurgy, and material characterization • Documented strong background in:• Experimental welding research • Material characterization and testing • Excellent written presentation skills and oral English language skills The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position. Preferred selection criteria • Basic knowledge o