PhD Candidate in Hydraulic and Geotechnical Engineering of Embankment Dams
NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology · Trondheim
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- Company
- NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Location
- Trondheim
- Posted
- October 6, 2026
About this job
https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0 About the position Embankment Dam Safety under Flexible Hydropower Operation: Internal Erosion and Filter Performance About the position The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (IBM) NTNU is seeking a PhD Candidate for a research project in the RenewHydro research centre. This position focuses on understanding and mitigating the effects of flexible hydropower operation on potential internal erosion processes in embankment dams. The research will involve experimental investigations, data analysis, and possible field work, in collaboration with the Norwegian Hydropower Industry. The prospective candidate will be part of the relevant research groups at IBM but will also collaborate with other NTNU departments within the RenewHydro Center and relevant stakeholders. Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department and the supervisors of the project will come from both the Hydraulic Research Group and the Geotechnical Research Group. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. About the project The PhD project will generate knowledge to address the challenges of maintaining and extending the lifetime of embankment dams while increasing the flexibility of hydropower technology. In doing so, the PhD project will support the RenewHydro centre objective of providing knowledge and solutions that enable flexible hydropower to support the energy transition and reach national energy, climate and nature targets. The main objective of PhD research is to develop knowledge that supports the hydropower industry in the safe design of future dams and management of existing embankment dams, including those subjected to flexible hydropower operation. Emphasis will be placed on the performance of filters protecting moraine (glacial till) cores against internal erosion. The research will combine studies of existing embankment dams in Norway with extensive laboratory testing of core and filter materials, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to the future safety and sustainability of hydropower infrastructure. Duties of the position Complete doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate Take responsibility for the progress of the research project and for developing an industrial and academic network Conduct high-quality research, including experimental research, within the framework of the project Participate in the Hydraulic Research Group and the Geotechnical Research Group. Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions Collaboration with other PhD candidates and partners within RenewHydro Supervision of master’s thesis students that are contributing to the PhD project with their MSc thesis Dissemination of research through scientific publications and presentations at national and international conferences Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment. Required selection criteria You must have a relevant Master's degree in hydraulic or geotechnical engineering or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level Master’s students at NTNU can apply, provided they can start contributing to the research project through their master’s thesis. The Master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position, and no later than summer 2027. 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 completed at least one course in geotechnical engineering and one course in fluid mechanics or hydraulic engineering You must be able to conduct research in both laboratory and field environments and demonstrate
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