About the position

The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has 2 fulltime PhD Research Fellows vacancies at the Department of Electronic Systems (IES). This fellowship is funded by the Research Council of Norway project “CLIPEUS - Internet of Bio-NanoThings for Prediction and Prevention of Infectious Diseases”. The PhD projects involve a cross-disciplinary supervisory team from Department of Electronic Systems (IES) and Oslo University Hospital.

The PhD position is for 4 years with 25% work assignments for NTNU, or for 3 years without duty work. 

You will report to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

CLIPEUS aims at creating a communications network among man-made implantable devices and the natural cells inside the body under the novel communication paradigm, called Internet of Bio-NanoThings, where sensing, actuation, and computing processes are tightly coupled to pervasively, perpetually, and precisely sense, process, control, and exchange health information of the body in real time to defend it against infections.  The project focuses on the detection of infections inside the body based on the detection of the molecular communication among the infectious bacteria by bionanosensors for detection, low power electronics for processing and antenna for near field communication to transfer the data through the tissues to outside of the body. Novel machine learning techniques will be developed to interpret this data for future personalized medicine applications. The system will be extensively tested and ameliorated by phantom experiments as a first step before in vivo experiments.   

PhD #1: Design of Bio-Nano Things

The objective is to investigate novel technologies to develop the conceptual design of a bio-nano things promising to continuously and precisely sense and process molecular signals among infectious bacteria. Bio-nanothings will have three components, namely, a bio-nanosensor, a processing circuit, and a coil/antenna all assembled using commercially available parts. 

Prerequisites: MSc in electrical engineering with course credits in sensor design, circuits and system and antennas.

PhD #2: Communication among Bio-Nano Things 

This PhD project is to investigate the communications and networking principles between the devices involved in CLIPEUS using molecular communication (MC) with infectious bacteria and via intra-body communications techniques with the wearable hub. The wearable hub will forward the data to the cyber space using already known wireless communication methods. 

Prerequisites: MSc in electrical engineering with course credits in signal processing, communication theory, communication networks, information- and communication theory, and stochastic modeling and optimization.   

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in signal processing, wireless communication, electromagnetics/RF, information theory, circuit and systems, biophysics, applied mathematics, or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

Applicants are asked to provide a research statement (max 3 pages) in their application, describing research interests and initial plans with regards to the above project description. The statement should also provide details on how the project relate to previous education, research and competence. 

Applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language must provide evidence of good written and spoken English language skills. The following tests can be used as documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, 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 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

• We seek a highly-motivated individual with a strong mathematical background and a research-oriented master thesis within one of these areas is expected for the PhD proejct #2.
• Further, the applicant must have experience with programming and willing to learn new topics like nanoscale molecular communications. Publication activities in the aforementioned disciplines will be considered an advantage.
• Motivation for fundamental scientific research of practical relevance is essential.
• The candidate is expected to deliver minimum 3 journal articles within the duration of the project. The applicant should have good communication skills and be willing to collaborate with other researchers in the cross-disciplinary group of people connected to this project.

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

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at NOK 479 600 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is for 3 years, or for 4 years including 25% duty work.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in [subject area] (Link to website, if applicable) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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 criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English (ta stilling til dette)

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

In addition, we ask the applicant to submit a research statement (max 3 pages), detailing research interests and initial plans with regard to the aforementioned individual PhD projects. The statement should also describe why the applicant is suited for the position, and how the project relates to previous education, research and competence.

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Research plan or project proposal
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment.
• Name and address of three referees

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

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.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

For further information about the positions, contact Professor Ian F Akyildiz, email: ian@ece.gatech.edu, Professor Ilangko Balasingham, email: ilangko.balasingham@ntnu.no or Dr. Ali Khaleghi, email: ali.khaleghi@ntnu.no

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number XXX when applying.

Application deadline: 01.11.2020

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.

Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering

The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering is Norway’s largest university environment in ICT, electrical engineering and mathematical sciences. Our aim is to contribute to a smart, secure and sustainable future. We emphasize high international quality in research, education, innovation, dissemination and outreach. The Faculty consists of seven departments and the Faculty Administration.

Deadline 1st November 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Campus Gløshaugen