About the positionSINTEF Energy is announcing two PhD candidate positions within the field of thermal engineering and industrial heat supply utilizing High Temperature Heat Pumps (HTHPs). Both positions are within the frame of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). The candidate will be employed by the Energy Use Department to carry out the doctoral project described below, enrolled by the doctoral program at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and have supervisors at both SINTEF and DTU Construct.

About the projectThe activity is coordinated within the HeatMinds MSCA-DN by Brunel University in London, UK.

The HeatMinds project is officially launched in October 2026 and holds a consortium of 18 partners across Europe. This integrated project aims to conduct collaborative research while training fifteen doctoral candidates to make a step change in accelerating the development and deployment of industrial HTHPs to support the decarbonization of heat supply in the process industry. Supported by leading universities, research centres, and industrial actors, advanced models and design tools will be developed that contribute to the advancement of these efforts. HeatMinds will tackle highly connected research questions, namely what are the optimum and sustainable cycle arrangements, component designs, and supporting energy policy frameworks? HeatMinds will establish a roadmap for deploying IHTHP technology to support the decarbonisation of several key industries.

The other project partners recruiting PhD students are Brunel University (UK), City St. Georges University (UK), University of Seville (Spain), Technical University of Denmark, and SINTEF Industry.

One of the PhD projects hosted by SINTEF Energy is titled “Multiscale design and optimization of ejectors integrated within novel IHTHP architectures” and addresses the potential for improved energy efficiency achieved by using ejectors. The project also addresses the coupled and multiscale challenges associated with optimal design and integration, and focuses on the use of natural working fluids. On the one hand, the analysis and design of optimal heat pump cycles is typically carried out using simple lumped or one-dimensional models. On the other hand, accurate component performance and design requires more detailed analysis methods, such as CFD, that present a challenge for how complex and coupled systems should be designed.

This project includes elements of:
• Evaluation of two-phase ejector component integration strategies within high temperature heat pump applications, considering system constraints and ejector performance trade-offs.
• Component design and optimization using computational fluid dynamics.
• Exploration of multi-fidelity and multiscale modelling methods that may include surrogate modelling approaches for coupled cycle analyses.
• Evaluation of proposed efficient reduced-order ejector performance models that could be directly implemented to ejector dimensioning tools and/or automation algorithms.
• Comparison to experimental test results.

SINTEF Energy, along with the partners in HeatMinds, hold significant experience and expertise in the analysis, design, and experimental testing of two-phase ejectors integrated in refrigeration and heat pump applications. DTU Construct additionally has an extensive track record working with two-phase flow, turbomachinery, and design optimization.

The work will be conducted in close collaboration with SINTEF colleagues as well as with HeatMinds partners. The project includes an international secondment to Danfoss (Denmark), to gain practical insight into industrial R&D for ejector components and systems.

Duties of the position
• Publish scientific articles and contribute to dissemination activities.
• Engage in collaboration and secondment with HeatMinds partners.
• Participate in relevant conferences, workshops, and training activities.
• Be flexible and prepare to adjust to activities and project focus as the PhD project progresses if needed.
• Complete the doctoral education.
• Participate actively in the relevant SINTEF Energy research groups’ activities.

Required selection criteria
• You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree[JD1.1].
• Master’s students in their final year can apply, but the degree must be completed and documented before 1 January 2027.
• Strong academic record (average grade B or better) or demonstrated research potential
• Must meet the admission requirements for the PhD program at DTU Construct. Please see https://www.dtu.dk/english/education/phd for more information for specific requirements for the PhD program at DTU Construct.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

MSCA Mobility Rule: At the time of employment, the candidate must not have lived, worked, or studied in Norway for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the start date of the position.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with SINTEF’s guidelines for recruitment positions and the academic regulations set by DTU Construct.

Background (mandatory)
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with a focus on thermal and fluid flow phenomena
• Foundations of computational fluid dynamics, numerical methods, and heat and mass transfer
• Thermodynamic cycle analysis
• Fundamentals of programming

Additional background that will be valued in the selection process:
• Optimisation methods and/or surrogate modeling for component and system design
• Multiphase flow and phase change modelling
• Familiarity with experimental methods and model validation

Personal characteristics
• To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:
• Work independently and take initiative.
• Plan and carry out research systematically.
• Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Show strong motivation and curiosity for the subject.
• Communicate clearly and constructively with colleagues.

Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability and motivation for the position.

We offer
• An exciting and challenging research project within an international MSCA Doctoral Network with excellent opportunities to collaborate within international research groups and industry.
• A dynamic, creative, and inclusive working environment.
• Access to cutting edge facilities and interdisciplinary training.
• Career development and mentoring through the HeatMinds network.

Salary and conditions
• The employment period is three years, funded through the EU Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network Grant HeatMinds.
• For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.
• The position is conditional on external funding.
• 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.

About the applicationThe application must include:
• A letter motivating the application (cover letter).
• Curriculum vitae.
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale.
• Names and contact information of two references.

Applications without the required documentation will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Contacts
• Joshua Render Dowdell, Researcher. Email: joshua.dowdell@sintef.no, phone +47 484 05 669
• Petter Nekså: Chief Scientist. Email: Petter.Neksa@sintef.no, phone: +47 926 06 519
• Elisa Magnanelli, Research Manager. Email: Elisa.Magnanelli@sintef.no, phone +47 944 32 692