About the position

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Gjøvik (https://www.ntnu.edu/gjovik) invites applications for a postdoctoral positions in Security of Smart Transmission Grids in support of a project funded by the Research Council of Norway on “Stability under Adversarial Influence of Transmission Grids”.  

The position is based at the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology (IIK). IIK is Norway’s largest research group in information security and part of a research group focused on the security of cyber-physical systems with an emphasis on energy systems in collaboration with the Department of Power Engineering at NTNU’s Trondheim Campus and SINTEF Energi’s National Smart Grid Laboratory, also based in Trondheim.

The department hosts both the Centre for Cyber and Information Security (CCIS), a leading public-private partnership on cyber security research and the Norwegian Cyber Range. The group collaborates with relevant agencies in the security and energy sectors, ensuring relevance to the wider stakeholder community.

The postdoctoral position is funded by the Norwegian Research Council. The period of employment for this position is for 3 years.

The position reports to the Head of Department.

Main duties and responsibilities

Reliable power systems are critical to the functioning of a modern society, and increasingly must not only accommodate more variable demands such as from electric mobility, but also become less reliant on fossil fuels. The resulting changes require the topology of power networks to change, but also for them to become more intelligent as part of a move to a truly smart power grid.

These enhancements require the use of more advanced monitoring and control architectures with a higher density of sensors including phasor measurement units (PMUs) placed in the network and shorter measurement scan cycles, but also of using interconnectors to other power networks where visibility is limited to a network operator.

To maintain stability and efficiency, power network transmission system operators (TSOs) rely on state estimators to form an accurate picture of the state of the network at all times. The potential for this to be attacked has recently been studied extensively, but only for conventional AC networks. Future networks will rely more on HVDC interconnectors, also necessitating more advanced state estimation algorithms.
The postdoctoral candidate will conduct research on resilient hybrid state estimation algorithms for networks containing HVDC links together with research on robust topology detection and processing algorithms and the susceptibility to deliberate attacks for both.

The postdoctoral candidate will also co-operate closely with a Ph.D. candidate studying attack models for the above and mechanisms for the detection and mitigation of attacks. The postdoctoral candidate will also perform validation of research results both by means of simulation experimentally at the Norwegian Smart Grid Laboratory; this work is also conducted as part of a larger research group on energy systems cyber-physical security.

We are looking for a candidate with knowledge, academic training, or experience in one of the following fields: Computer science, mathematics, or electrical engineering where prior knowledge of the information security domain is highly valued. Skills and experience in mathematical modelling, the ability to study, design, and analyse novel algorithms are highly desirable, while the ability to communicate and collaborate both with other researchers and stakeholders is an advantage.

The postdoctoral candidate will be supervised by Prof. Stephen Wolthusen in collaboration with Prof. Kjetil Uhlen (Power Engineering). For further information please contact Stephen Wolthusen (stephen.wolthusen@ntnu.no)

Qualification requirements

Postdoctoral fellow:

A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. Completion of a Norwegian doctoral degree in mathematics, electrical engineering, computer science or physics, or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required.

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, postdoctor and research assistant

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

Other qualifications

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Applicants who neither are native English speakers nor from Scandinavia, must provide evidence of English language proficiency by means of one of the following tests: TOEFL, Academic IELTS and Cambridge CAE or CPE. Minimum scores need to be:
  • 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.
• An applicant with fluency (oral and written) in one of the Scandinavian languages would be preferred when other conditions are equal. 

All candidates must be able to secure a residency and work permit in Norway. The university is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment practices, and we particularly would like to encourage female candidates to apply. Owing to the nature of the research, successful candidates should hold Nordic or NATO member state citizenship.

Personal characteristics

• High motivation for research work in a multidisciplinary way and ability to work independently.
• Good organization and communication skills with interest in wider context of own research and ability to engage in cross-disciplinary teams.
• Eagerness to disseminate research results through publications and presentations at international conferences. 

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

Postdoctoral candidates are remunerated in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 563 700 per year. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years.

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. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

General information

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.

For further information please contact Stephen Wolthusen (stephen.wolthusen@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.

The application must contain

• A cover letter (1 page) explaining your motivation and how your skills and experience relate to the research focuses of the position applied for
• A draft research proposal outlining a possible approach for each position applied for (1 page per position).
• CV with a list of publications and English language test scores or other supporting documents (as proof of the candidates’ study and language abilities)
• Relevant transcripts of grades, diplomas, and certificates
• A description of M.Sc. work (1 page)
• Two letters of reference, preferably from academic supervisor(s).

Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Desired starting date is as soon as possible after 01.12.2019.

Application deadline : 30.09.2019

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 Information Security and Communication Technology

Research is vital to the security of our society. We teach and conduct research in cyber security, information security, communications networks and networked services. Our areas of expertise include biometrics, cyber defence, cryptography, digital forensics, security in e-health and welfare technology, intelligent transportation systems and malware. The Department of Information Security and Communication Technology is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline 30th September 2019
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Gjøvik Trondheim
omfang Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Gjøvik