Postdoctoral Fellow in Experimental Combustion Studies for Future Fuels

Om stillingen

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 can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral candidate to join our research group in advancing the next generation of sustainable engine technologies. This position focuses on experimental combustion research, with emphasis on future low-carbon fuels and the application of advanced optical measurement techniques.

Are you motivated to take the next steps in your academic career and open up exciting career opportunities? As a postdoctoral candidate with us, you will work to achieve first-hand research experience and, at the same time, gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, both in and outside academia.

The tasks include extensive use of optical diagnostics, such as:

• Near and far field high-speed microscopic imaging
• Chemiluminescence-based techniques
• Schlieren imaging and shadowgraphy

These tools will be used to obtain high-resolution insights into fuel-air mixing, spray break-up, heat release, soot formation, and in-cylinder flow structures.

The purpose of a postdoctoral position is to build up a researcher profile that qualifies for a position as an associate professor. The position may also offer skills relevant to the postdoctoral fellow's future career outside academia.

Apply for this position to become part of our research environment and take the next step in your career with us.

Your immediate leader will be Professor Terese Løvås.

The postdoctoral project will investigate how emerging fuels, such as e-fuels, advanced biofuels, hydrogen carriers, and ammonia-based blends, behave under realistic engine-relevant conditions. Using a specially modified research engine and a state-of-the-art single-cylinder optical combustion chamber, the candidate will explore fundamental processes, including:

• Ignition dynamics and flame propagation
• Pollutant formation pathways
• Fuel spray behavior and mixing
• Combustion stability and efficiency limits

• Carry out research of good quality
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Be active member in the ComKin research group as well as the departmental Thermal Fluids Research group. 
• Apply for research funding and write applications and report on progress to funding sources 
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions 
• Occasional teaching 
• Mentoring students, helping them with their research projects, and advising on methodology and academic writing 
• Other career-promoting work

• You must have completed a doctoral degree in mechanical or marine engineering.
• If you are in the final phase of your doctorate and can document that the thesis is in the process of being 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.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English.
• Strong background in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and combustion.
• Experience with laboratory and experimental work, including experience working with risk assessments in lab to conduct safe experiments
• Experience with optical measurement techniques.
• Good programming and data analysis skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW).
   

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

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.

Working as a Postdoctoral fellow requires that you

• Work independently and in team
• Work structured, set goals and make plans to achieve them 
• Experience with Schlieren, near and far field high-speed microscopic imaging
• Experience with control and synchronization of high-speed imaging and lighting systems
• Experience with image post-processing and data extraction

• Drive to learn new methods and applications
• Curiosity and creativity in finding problem-related solutions
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals 
• Engage and contribute constructively with feedback 
• Analyze data, assess different perspectivesand draw well-founded conclusions  
• Are flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

• 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
• Favourable 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 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. 

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) has established EPT Women in Science. The group is focused on supporting female Research Assistants, PhD Candidates, Postdoctoral Fellows and permanent academic employees within the Department. This support aims to help develop the academic careers of female employees, and is also made visible to our student body, to encourage them to consider an academic path. As part of the EPT Women in Science initiative we continue to build on our international network, inviting prominent female academics within and beyond the field of Engineering to speak at our events.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow(code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 604 900,-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.

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 bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed. 

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 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 is in the process of being 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. 
• Academic works - 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 required can 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 recognizesa 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).

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 Terese Løvås, phone: +4791897007, email:[email protected].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Lydia Lamminen, email: [email protected].

Application deadline: 28.08.2026

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


The city of Trondheim is located on the Trondheim Fjord in mid-Norway. It is a modern, Scandinavian city with a unique cultural scene. Trondheim has a growing and increasingly diverse population, currently of around 200 000, and is known as the tech capital of Norway. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools and kindergartens, is among the best of its kind in the world. Professional, subsidized wrap-around care for school children in grades 1-4 is easily available. Trondheim has two International Schools, and the public school system offers Norwegian language support to international children whose families have relocated to Trondheim. Trondheim has low crime rates, clean air and water, and offers great opportunities for enjoying nature and culture.