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PhD Positions in Centre for Geophysical Forecasting

About the position

The Centre for Geophysical Forecasting (CGF) at NTNU has vacancy for 2 PhD fellowship on Multiphysics modelling using fibre optic data (Distributed Acoustic Sensing ;DAS) and Study soil saturation by seismic velocities for near-surface characterization using DAS data. The Centre is one of the newly-established Norwegian centres for research-driven innovation, funded by the research council of Norway and industry partners.

The goal of the CGF is to become a world-leading research and innovation hub for the geophysical sciences, creating innovative new products and services in earth sensing and forecasting domains. As the global ecosystem enters a period of dramatic change, there is a strong need for accurate monitoring and forecasting of the Earth.  Examples include landslides, avalanches, earthquakes, groundwater and hydrocarbon resources and safe underground  CO2 storage.

Norway is already at the forefront of global exploration geophysics and we intend to leverage that expertise to create the world-leading research and innovation centre for sustainable resource exploitation.  The main objective here is to better understand and sustainably exploit the tremendous value of the earth’s crust.  Key research and innovation areas include new ways to monitor the geological storage of CO2, reconfiguring petroleum production, and to develop new geohazard early warning systems.  The primary focus for the CGF will be to bring valuable, cost-effective and robust geophysical monitoring and forecasting services to Carbon Capture and sequestration (CCS), hydrocarbon and geohazard/geoengineering markets, creating both new market segments for partners and establishing successful spin off companies.

 The CGF will catalyse a new wave of geophysical capabilities, much broader than hydrocarbon exploration and production, applying disruptive new technologies to novel enterprises that will be game changers in the transition from hydrocarbon geophysics to the new blue economy and to important terrestrial geohazard risk monitoring and early warning applications.

The successful applicants will work at the CGF premises at NTNU in Trondheim in our team of key researchers. The PhD research fellowships will be hosted by the Department of Electronic Systems at NTNU. Successful candidates will be offered a three-year position. 

The projects have close contact with industry partners Aker BP, ASN, BaneNor, Digital Geologi, Equinor, NPRA (Statens Vegvesen), NVE, Tampnet, TietoEvry and Uninett, as well as research partners NORSAR and Jamstec in Japan. For the current positions a close cooperation with Equinor and NORSAR are planned.

You will report to Head of Department.

This is NTNU

At NTNU, creating knowledge for a better world is the vision that unites our 7 400 employees and 42 000 students.

We are looking for dedicated employees to join us.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

Duties of the position

The CGF will conduct research in computer science, electronic systems, geophysics and mathematical sciences.  PhD students will use and develop advanced models and methods for combining diverse geophysical data to effectively monitor the earth.  PhD students will be involved in the planning of new surveys and the acquisition of valuable geophysical information to improve forecasts and provide important decision support for the various application domains of the CGF.

The CGF is developing novel methods for the cost-effective use of fiber optic cables, creating Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems for Earth monitoring. Such DAS data complement traditional geophysical data sources such as seismic waveform measurements, electromagnetic data, and geomodelling information. 

To extract the important variables from massive spatio-temporal geophysical data, the CGF will work on high performance computing and AI-based approaches for feature extraction, enabling efficient monitoring and early warning systems in the various geosciences applications.

PhD research work will be led by supervisors with strong scientific profiles in the specific disciplines at the CGF.

The CGF is determined to deliver research-based innovation, and it will strongly stimulate PhD candidates to create and develop innovative ideas into business potential both for the Centre partners as well as in spin-off companies.  The key innovation areas of the CGF are in CCS management, hydrocarbon production monitoring and geohazards monitoring and forecasting.

Required selection criteria

We are looking for highly-motivated candidates with a strong background in at least one of the core disciplines of the CGF, with a keen interest in multidisciplinary scientific research and innovation. 

  • The PhD students must have a solid background either in physics, signal processing, mathematics or geophysics. Knowledge and experience with processing of large wave field datasets, numerical modeling and coupling of pressure and shear waves in different materials or long-distance data-communication optical transmission systems is an advantage.
  • Work with problems related to in-well monitoring of production/injection wells, and on land/coastal area monitoring using fiber optic (FO) data, often referred to as DAS (Distributed Acoustic Sensing). The work will be carried out on FO data from North Sea oil fields, and NORSAR test site, in close collaboration with Equinor and NORSAR personnel. Other types of onshore and offshore DAS data will also be considered for the PhD research. Use of DAS-data for underground storage of CO2 is another interesting application.  Research topics may include processing, interpretation and advanced analysis of fiber optic data (DAS) and multiphysics modeling of in-well phenomena.

Applicants must satisfy the requirements for entering the PhD program at NTNU. The admission to PhD education at NTNU requires an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E for passing grades (A best) for the last two years of the MSc degree, and C or higher for the BSc degree.

MSc students who expect to complete their Master’s degree studies by summer 2021 are encouraged to apply.  Employment will then start when the MSc degree is completed.

Applicants who are not fluent in a Scandinavian language must document a thorough knowledge of English (equivalent to a TOEFL score of 600 or more).

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

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of candidates, emphasis will be placed on education and experience, as well as personal suitability for the position which will include:

  • Willingness and ability to learn new skills and approaches in a multidisciplinary team research environment.
  • Strong drive to transition new research results and technologies into innovative products and services.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 
  • Self-motivated, ambitious, resilient, resourceful, result-oriented, and independent.
  • Excellent writing skills, capable of synthesizing and expressing complex ideas clearly.

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 482 200 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 3 years.

In some cases there may be an option to extend the contract beyond the PhD by up to an additional year for students strongly engaged in innovation efforts or for some with interest in supplementary teaching.

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 that you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

The application must include the following:

  • CV which includes information about education background and work experience.
  • A motivation letter indicating i) primary field (department or topic) of interest in PhD study according to topics mentioned in qualification requirements and selection criteria, ii) a description of experience or motivation for working on research-based innovation.
  • Certified copies of relevant transcripts and diplomas.  Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or similar documentation, which describes in detail the program of study, the grading system, and the rights to further studies associated with the degree obtained.
  • Contact information for two references. 
  • Documentation of fluency in the English language. 

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).

Applicants who have been short-listed will be invited for interviews.

If you are invited for an interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Please refer to the application number 2021/10964 when applying.

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.

In accordance with The Public 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.

Questions about the position can be directed to Martin Landrø (martin.landro@ntnu.no) or Hefeng Dong (hefeng.dong@ntnu.no).

Application deadline: 30.06.2021

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 Electronic Systems

The digitalization of Norway is impossible without electronic systems. We are Norway’s leading academic environment in this field, and contribute with our expertise in areas ranging from nanoelectronics, phototonics, signal processing, radio technology and acoustics to satellite technology and autonomous systems. Knowledge of electronic systems is also vital for addressing important challenges in transport, energy, the environment, and health. The Department of Electronic Systems is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline 30th June 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime (2 jobs)
Duration Temporary
Place of service Campus Gløshaugen

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