About the position

We have a vacancy for a PostDoc candidate at Department of Engineering Cybernetics, within the research project "Cyber-Physical Security for Safety-Critical Aviation Operations" that is funded by the Research Council of Norway, under the leadership of SINTEF Digital in collaboration with NTNU.

The research and education at this department cover a wide range of relevant topics including sensors, embedded systems, robotics, autonomous systems, unmanned vehicles, navigation, and automatic control. The research activity is associated with the Center of Excellence on Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems (AMOS) at NTNU (https://www.ntnu.edu/amos). The Center for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems (NTNU-AMOS) contributes with fundamental and interdisciplinary knowledge on autonomous systems in marine applications.

Main duties and responsibilities

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) receivers that are key components of both the air and ground segments of a ground-based augmentation systems (GBAS) system, are unfortunately vulnerable to a number of cyber-physical attacks such as bitstream manipulation, spoofing, meaconing and jamming. Although GNSS signals used in aviation are located in a protected frequency band, attacks affecting this band do occur, and with an increasing rate. Over the past years the combination of ubiquitous, low-cost communications systems and satellite navigation has moved civil GNSS positioning and timing into use in domains where there are stronger motivations for an attack. As GNSS becomes more deeply embedded into digital infrastructure, we can expect to see more attacks of increased sophistication.

The goal of this project is to increase resilience of GBAS ground and airborne segments against cyber-physical attacks aimed at GNSS civil signal vulnerabilities. Airborne segment resilience in this project will be approached by considering the performance of the least robust platform, namely the one of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The PostDoc research will focus on developing an airborne receiver experimental platform to be used on board a UAV capable of supporting GBAS corrections, and integrity monitoring for radio frequency interference detection.

Qualification requirements

The qualification requirement is completion of a doctoral degree, with a strong academic background in signal processing, control engineering, electronics, cybernetics, geodesy, aerospace engineering or similar areas. Successful applicants should have necessary competence in several of the following areas: Satellite navigation, signal processing, radio systems, embedded systems, system-on-chip and programming in C/C++.

Excellent English skills, written and spoken, are required. Applicants from non-European countries where English is not the official language must present an official language test report. The following tests can be used as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:

TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)

IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)

CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

The research of this project has civilian objectives. However, equipment restricted by export licenses and ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) is being used in this research area. Applicants that are citizens of Norway, NATO countries, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, or Sweden are eligible. Other applicants must provide evidence of eligibility to use such equipment for their application to be considered.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

Personal characteristics

Applicants are required to justify their candidateship by explicitly explaining their personal motivation and academic aptitude for pursuing a doctoral degree within this research field.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

Post-doctoral candidates are remunerated in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 523 200 per annum before tax. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 2 years.

Appointment takes place on the terms that apply to State employees at any time, and after the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criterias in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

Questions about the position can be directed to Adjunct Associate Professor Nadia Sokolova, nadia.sokolova@sintef.no , or Professor Tor Arne Johansen, e-mail tor.arne.johansen@ntnu.no .

About the application:

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 2019/28774 when applying.

Application deadline: 3 October 2019.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Engineering Cybernetics (ITK)

Engineering cybernetics is the study of automatic control and monitoring of dynamic systems. We develop the technologies of tomorrow through close cooperation with industry and academia, both in Norway and internationally. The Department contributes to the digitalization, automation and robotization of society. The Department of Engineering Cybernetics is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.