We are looking for a PhD candidate in mining method selection for Deep Sea Mining operations. The appointment has a duration of three years with the possibility of one additional year of compulsory work (a decision of 3 or 4 years is made in connection with the recommendation and offer, after assessment of whether compulsory work is suitable for the relevant candidate). The appointment is financed by NTNU through its call for interdisciplinary research collaboration in sustainability.
The position is embedded into the Mineral production group at Department of Geoscience and Petroleum (IGP), NTNU Campus Trondheim and attached to an interdisciplinary research project: TripleDeep – The Deep Dilemmas: Deep Sea Mining for the new Deep Transition.
The Mineral Production and HSE Research Group at IGP covers the whole mining value chain from resource geology and exploration to final products. It contributes to research and higher education within NTNUs Strategic Focus Area on the ocean.
For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree. The position is connected to the PhD program at the Faculty of Engineering Science. The candidate will be supervised by project leader associate professor Steinar Ellefmo.
Project description
The deep ocean floor contains vast deposits of minerals that are necessary in renewable energy technologies. These minerals are expected to be in high demand due to the de-carbonization of the global economy and the transition to a net-zero economy. But while the “blue minerals” may hold the key to a greener future, mining the deep seas raises many questions and dilemmas. Can the minerals be mined without causing massive and irreparable harm to the unique ecology of the deep oceans? Who will be allowed to exploit these minerals, and on what conditions? How can conflicts over rich deposits be avoided? What rules and incentives are needed to attract responsible investors that can pay for the development of the necessary technology? Is it worthwhile to destroy unique and largely unknown habitats in the deep seas in order to address the climate crisis?
The primary objective of the TripleDeep project is to investigate whether Deep Sea Mining can provide a new source of critically important minerals in a sustainable manner. To do so we must address significant knowledge gaps about the political, economic, technological and ecological dimensions of deep sea mining, and particularly how they interact with each other. The TripleDeep project group consist of an inter-disciplinary team, bringing together historians, marine biologists, economists and engineers.
The PhD position Deep Sea Mining Method Selection in the presence of Ecosystem Uncertainty will on the dilemma of whether to produce or preserve and how a deposit with certain geological and ecological characteristics and properties could be mined to minimize the environmental impact. The aim is to develop a multidimensional framework for mining methods selection.
You will report to Head of Department.
Duties of the position
The TripleDeep project aims to achieve integrated interdisciplinary cooperation of high quality and according to international standards. As a PhD candidate you will be part of this research project consisting of 4 PhD candidates and 4 regular academic staff. Each PhD-candidate will have a co-supervisor from another discipline within the project group.
Therefore, the candidate is expected to
- Do an in-depth literature study to understand the value chain of deep-sea mining and potential environmental impacts
- Given relevant framework conditions, identify an interdisciplinary set of key factors decisive in the evaluation of preferred mining methods
- Develop a modelling and simulation framework that can simulate and quantify the performance of a subset of available mining systems
- Make suggestions on improvements on available and suggested mining systems that increase their performance
- Collaborate with the other PhD candidates within TripleDeep
- Participate in regular project workshops
- Contribute to joint project publications
Required selection criteria
- You must have a professionally relevant background in mining- or marine engineering or marine operations
- Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master’s level
- You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master’s degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
- You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program (https://www.ntnu.edu/iv/doctoral-programme)
- Have a quantitative mindset and strong modelling and simulation capabilities (e.g., discrete event simulation)
- Have experience in the use of R, Matlab or similar modelling and simulation tools
- Proven good written and oral English communication skills
- Creative, with a strong ability to work towards positive solutions
The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.
Preferred selection criteria
- Solid and documented disciplinary skills
- Documented practical experience in one or more of the required disciplines
- Background or experience in more than one of the project disciplines (history, economics, engineering, biology) will be considered an advantage
- Good written and oral English and Norwegian language skills
Personal characteristics
- Enjoy working in a team-based environment but also able to conduct independent research activity and thinking.
- Creative, with a problem-solving attitude
- An inner motivation to make a difference
- Inquisitive nature and enjoy cross-disciplinary challenges.
- Good social skills that will benefit the work environment
About the application
Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.
The application must include:
- CV, certificates and diplomas
- transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not completed the master’s degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted.
- A copy of the master’s thesis. If you recently have submitted your master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.
- A motivation letter (1-2 pages), describing the relevance of your disciplinary background, your interest in the project, and how you would approach the given topic
- Name and address of three referees
- If you have publications or other relevant research work
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, both bachelor’s and master’s education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, 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.
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.
NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA.
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Anne-Lise Brekken, Department of Geoscience and Petroleum, e-mail: anne.lise brekken@ntnu.no.
Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).
If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number IV-248/21 when applying.
Application deadline: 07.01.2022
For further information, please click here.