PhD Candidate in Seaweed Hydrodynamics (NTNU)

Job title

PhD Candidate in Seaweed Hydrodynamics.

Company

Department of Marine Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Description of the job

The Department of Marine Technology at NTNU offers a fully funded PhD position in the field of hydrodynamic loads on seaweed and macro algae. The application of the research is towards industrialization of seaweed production in general, and design of floating seaweed production facilities in particular.

The main cost of a seaweed farm is the longlines, which there may be hundreds of kilometers of. The seaweed grows on the longlines and is exposed to waves and current at various stages of growth. The hydroelastic behaviour of the seaweed is not sufficiently well understood, and hence there are no good hydrodynamic load models. The purpose of this work is to increase the understanding of longlines with seaweed under sea loads and develop accountable hydrodynamic load models.

The position is part of SFI Seaweed – Centre of gravity for industrial seaweed research and innovation, a Centre for Research-based Innovation funded mainly by the Research Council of Norway, in operation from 2026 to 2033. The centre is managed by SINTEF Ocean and includes multiple industry and research partners from a variety of fields, spanning from marine technology, cybernetics to biology, biotechnology and product development. NTNU is responsible for supervising the PhD and postdoctoral fellowships included in the centre. There will be four PhDs and postdocs within marine hydrodynamics, with additional directly relevant activities at SINTEF Ocean.

The supervisor will be Professor Pål Lader. The employment period is 3 years. The position is conditional on external funding.

Duties:

• Complete doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above.
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination.
• Participate in the research group Marine Structures.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions.
• Teaching duties connected to courses given by the department.
• Participate in relevant SFI Seaweed activities and events.

What We Offer:

• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment.
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period.
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues.
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK).

Requirements

Required:

• Relevant Master's degree in marine hydrodynamics or equivalent, corresponding to a five-year Norwegian master program with 120 credits at master's level. Master students can apply, but the degree must be obtained and documented before starting and no later than 01/09/2026.
• Strong academic background with an average grade from Master's degree equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale.
• Must meet the requirements for admission to the Faculty of Engineering's Doctoral Programme in Engineering.
• Experience in relevant experimental work.
• Very good oral and written English skills.

Preferred:

• Formal skills (completed master level courses, publications etc.) in hydroelasticity.
• Experience from practical work.
• Good oral and written skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.

Location

Trondheim, Norway.

Salary

NOK 550,800 (49,700 €) per annum (gross), depending on qualifications and seniority.

How to apply

Applications must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. The application must include: transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, CV, copy of Master's thesis, short letter of motivation (maximum 400 words), and names and contact information of up to 3 relevant referees. For questions about the position, contact Professor Pål Lader at pal.lader@ntnu.no.

For questions about the recruitment process, contact HR advisor Marit Ringseth Gjersvold at Marit.Gjersvold@ntnu.no or +47 73 41 25 46.

Deadline

17/04/2026.

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