Postdoctoral position -the SYMBOL project Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Architecture and Technology

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher related to:

Characterizing the mechanical behaviour of polychrome wood in macro-sized mock-ups mimic the composition and manufacturing process of historic materials through experimental works using acoustic emission no destructive technique and simulation work using finite element analysis

Type:1 Postdoc

Contract Duration: 3 years – full time (01.09.2018 – 31.08.2021)

Main Supervisor: Associate Professor Chiara Bertolin

Co-supervisor: Professor Filippo Berto

Main Contact:

Chiara Bertolin (NTNU) Chiara.bertolin@ntnu.no; +47 73595059

Filippo Berto (NTNU) Filippo.berto@ntnu.no; +47 73594129

Scope:

In time of climate change, energy savings and mass tourism, there is an increasing concern in developing knowledge and tools for sustainable control and management of historic and heritage buildings on a long-term perspective in order to guarantee the best possible preservation of cultural heritage for present and future generations. Providing an evidence-base for the effect of environmental conditions on historic materials has long been a challenge for the conservation field, due to both the inherent complexity of the materials and uncertainty in the mechanisms at play in environment-induced change.

the SYMBOL project – funded by the Norwegian research Council and co-funded by NTNU, the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage research (NIKU), the Polish Academy of Science (PAS) and the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) – will provide evidence-base for understanding the effect of environmental conditions on historic materials facing both the inherent complexity of the materials properties and the uncertainty in the mechanisms at play in environment-induced decay.

The project will start in September 2018 and will last for 3 years.

The laboratory experiments will be organized at the Department of mechanical and industrial engineering (MTP). The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MTP) has broad interdisciplinary expertise in the fields of machine design, product development, materials science and risk and reliability of complex systems. The research at the department focuses on development, optimization and improvement of industrial processes and production systems. One of the main goals is to secure the Norwegian industry and administration with access to knowledge and expertise on an international level. MTP is one of eight departments at the Faculty of Engineering Science. One of the leading group in MTP is that related to the mechanical characterization of materials subjected to different environmental conditions. The lab has been completely renewed in 2017.

The research will address 3 main challenges:

• The advance in understanding of physical decay of artistic materials in heritage wooden buildings through an extensive laboratory study of accumulation of climate-induced physical damage in macro-sized wooden specimens mimicking original elements
• The advance in planning and developing of innovative experimental set-ups that combine the use of climate chambers and portable environmental monitoring devices, full scale testing & structural health monitoring machines with the acoustic emissions no-destructive technique.
• The advance in coupling the analysis of the collected experimental data with Finite Element Analysis simulation tools to explain the mechanical decay processing occurring on a range of (polychrome) wooden samples mimicking wooden architectural elements in stave churches subjected to subjected to relative humidity variations of systematically changed amplitude, rate, duration, and starting level.

The Postdoc candidate will develop research based on theory, experiments and simulation. The expected results aim to advance the understanding on the dynamic processes of water vapour uptake/release and the related strains and internal stresses in (polychrome) wood of several geometric shape. This knowledge will be evidence base as it will be funded on experimental data mostly. However the outcomes will be also correlated with numerical simulation using FEA.

• He/she will plan and develop innovative experimental set-ups combining use of climate chambers, portable environmental monitoring devices, full scale testing & structural health monitoring devices with the acoustic emissions no-destructive technique
• He/she will perform extensive laboratory experiments using the above described tools.
• He/she will analyse the collected data to advance the understanding of the accumulation of climate-induced physical damage in macro-sized wooden specimens. These samples will mimick original elements recognizable in the stave churches as well as in other historic buildings.
• He/she will analyse data coupling collected experimental data with Finite Element Analysis simulation tools to explain the mechanical decay processing occurring on a range of (polychrome) wooden samples under a range of relative humidity variations with systematically changed amplitude, rate, duration, and starting level.

The candidate will work in coordination and cooperation with national and international Universities and Research institutions entities actively engaged in this research topic.　

Required Expertise:

The candidates must have a

• M.Sc. degree or equivalent, and a Ph.D in one or more of the following fields: Conservation Science, Physics or building physics, mechanical or material engineering, computer engineering or equivalent by law (mandatory).
• Demonstrate from his/her CV a complete independence in performing research
• Excellent expertise in numerical tools simulations using FEA
• Excellent expertise in conducting experiments in laboratory using several types of instruments and tools and above all in planning and finalizing experimental set-up in a very short time (mandatory).
• Excellent expertise in data analysis (mandatory)
• Very high publication rate i.e. an h-index higher or equal to 5 (mandatory).
• Previous experience refining damage criteria by environmental monitoring on macro-sized mock-ups and/or laboratory characterizations in monitoring mechanical degradation using Acoustic Emission method is strongly desirable.

Qualifications

• The applicants for post doctoral positions must have a PhD at the time of application. Relevant education and experience in the chosen topic is mandatory (see specifications for for mandatory requirements).
• Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/ds_en.htm
• The position requires spoken and written fluency in the English language. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test. The positions are situated in Trondheim and applicants are expected to live there for the duration of the projects.

An interview at the 3 highly ranked candidates will be carried out by the Supervisor and the Co-supervisor together.

For questions about the positions, contact the supervisor by email.

Information about the faculties

The Faculty of Architecture and Design is proud to announce a postdoctoral position. The position will be organized at the Department of Architecture and Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway. The successful applicant will form part of the staff of the SyMBoL – "Sustainable Management of Heritage Building in a Long-term perspective" project, i.e. an international research project funded by the Norwegian Research Council within the framework of the FRIPRO-FRINATEK Young Research Talent. In addition, they will be also part of the Sustainability Group in close cooperation with the Research Centre on Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (ZEN). For further information regarding the Faculty, Department and ZEN centre, please visit https://www.ntnu.edu/ad about the faculty, https://www.ntnu.edu/iat/people-sustainability about the group and https://www.ntnu.edu/zen about the ZEN centre

Terms of Employment

The salary level for the post-doctoral position it will be remunerated at Salary level 57, gross NOK 490 500,- per annum. There will be a 2 % deduction to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund from gross salary.　

The appointments will be made in accordance with current regulations with supplementary rules in force giving guidelines for scholarship appointments in universities and university colleges.　

The appointment is subject to the conditions in effect at any time for employees in the public sector, and the person appointed must accept any changes in the field of work.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants. The employee is expected to accept possible changes in work tasks　

The Faculty of Architecture and design wants to attract outstanding and creative candidates who can contribute to our ongoing research activities. We believe that diversity is important to achieve a good, inclusive working environment. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of the gender, disability or cultural background.　

Applications with Curriculum Vitae, certified copies of transcript and reference letters should be submitted electronically through this page and Mark the application with AD- 18/6136.

The application deadline is 25 March 2018

According to the new Freedom of Information Act, information concerning the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the list of applicants.