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

     

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About the position

We are searching for a creative, skilled, and ambitious candidate for our activities on nonlinear integrated photonics.

The candidate aims are to design, manufacture, and study photonic integrated optical amplifiers based on periodically poled thin-film lithium tantalate optical waveguides and their hybrid integration with high power pump laser diodes. The main focus is the establishment of advanced dispersion engineering workflows based on numerical simulations of optical waveguides and microresonators and the development of high power hybrid integration techniques in the photonics laboratory.

The goal of the research is to demonstrate breakthroughs in the efficiency and bandwidth of nonlinear optical amplification and frequency conversion systems towards their full photonic integration with high power pump lasers in package. The research will be performed at the Department of Electronic Systems, NTNU, and supported by scientific partners in Switzerland, Germany, France, and Italy. 

The supervisor for this position is Associate Professor Johann Riemensberger and your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. 

Duties of the position

• Development of novel photonic device concepts and architectures, and optical test and measurement methodologies
• Development of nanofabrication processes in the NTNU Nanolab cleanroom
• Photonic chip design, manufacturing, and optical testing
• Collaborate with an international network of scientific partners
• Report research findings in international conferences and scientific articles
• Prepare funding applications for Fellowship grants such as NRC Mobility and MSC-IF

Required selection criteria

The postdoctoral researcher position’s main objective is to qualify up-and-coming researchers for future leadership positions in academia. 

• The qualification requirement is that you have completed a PhD degree in photonics, materials science, physics, electrical engineering, or nanotechnology (and other relevant disciplines) with focus on photonics and a strong scientific publication record.

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.

As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01/08/2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with electromagnetic simulation software suites and photonic circuit design.
• Ability to work outside of Norway for short exchange periods.
• Experience with photonic integrated circuits and nanofabrication processing of hybrid material systems.
• Experience in nonlinear integrated photonics and quantum optics.

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education and experience, as well as personal suitability for this position which include:

• Curiosity and strong motivation to learn new research methods and technologies and adapt to a multidisciplinary research environment
• Problem solver, with ability to use existing knowledge in new ways
• Independent 
• Capability to advise junior researchers, graduate and undergraduate students
• Excellent communication skills and strong motivation to pursue a research degree 

Working as a Postdoctoral fellow requires that you

• Work independently
•  Work structured, set goals and make plans to achieve them
•  Present and discuss your research with other professionals
•  Engage and contribute constructively with feedback
•  Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
•  Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
•  Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
•  Are flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer 

• An exciting job with an important social mission
• 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 containsthe skills and knowledge you will acquire
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues 
• Mentor programmeas a new employee at NTNU 
• Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Diversity

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. 

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 594 500 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.

The position is conditional on external funding.

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

About the application 

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 Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above.

The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-, 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 has been 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. 
• Research plan
• 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 recognizes a 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).

General information 

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 Johann Riemensberger, email johann.riemensberger@ntnu.no . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR e-mail: hr@ies.ntnu.no .

If you find this position interesting, and in accordance with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.

Application deadline: 09.04.2025.

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

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.