About the position

The Department of Marine Technology, NTNU https://www.ntnu.edu/imt has a vacancy for a PhD candidate within the area of developing improved models for predicting the global response and lifetime of marine riser and cable systems by combining mathematical modelling with artificial intelligence. The position is a part of the KPN project “PRAI– Prediction of Riser-response by Artificial Intelligence” funded by the Research Council of Norway and Industry. The research partners include the NTNU Departments of Marine Technology and Computer Science in cooperation with SINTEF Ocean and SINTEF Digital. The industry partners include Equinor, BP, Kongsberg Maritime, Subsea7 and Trelleborg Offshore. This research will also collaborate with MIT (USA) and university UFRJ (Brazil).

Marine riser and cable systems are exposed to Vortex Induced Vibrations resulting from the alternating lift forces generated as a result of vortices that are shed in the wake of the submerged cylinder when exposed to ocean current. Such vibrations may cause fast accumulation of fatigue damage, which is a primary concern with respect to operation life and costs of riser systems. Offshore platforms collect data from onboard sensors via “Internet of Things”, however, the sensor density along the risers is limited and the current state-of-the-art models used for VIV response prediction do not provide sufficient precision for on-board monitoring and decision support. Here it is proposed to develop a hybrid VIV prediction model based on physics-based non-linear time domain model and data-driven machine learning methods. This prediction model will be used for response estimation in deep water riser systems under simultaneous actions of wave, current and floater motions, that can be integrated in future on-board riser management systems.

You will report to Supervising Professor.

Duties of the position

• To undertake the necessary courses as part of the PhD program.
• To submit a research plan no later than 3 months after the admission.
• Perform fundamental  research and report progress on a regular basis and in agreement with the supervisors.

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 [subject area] 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.

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.

• Background in marine structural analysis
• Background in marine hydrodynamics
• Excellent English skills, spoken and written, are required. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test. Approved tests are TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience regarding control theory and/or artificial intelligence
• Research and/or engineering experience from related marine applications is an advantage.

Personal characteristics

• Enthusiastic
• Highly motivated
• Willing to work  both independently and with other researchers

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 gross from 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 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Marine Technology 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.

The position is subject to external funding from the Norwegian Research Council.

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

About the application

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 below. 

The application must include:

• CV including information relevant for the qualifications
• Contact information for at least 2 reference persons
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and transcripts and reference letters
• Applicants from universities outside of Norway are requested to send a diploma supplement (or a similar document) which describes in detail the study and grading system, and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree
• A research statement (max. 3 pages) including:
  • A short presentation of the motivation for a PhD study
  • Why the applicant is suited for the position
  • The applicant’s view of research challenges for the PhD position, as well as his/her theoretical and methodological approach to the challenges.

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.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact: Prof. Svein Sævik, Department of Marine Technology, NTNU, Trondheim. Email: svein.savik@ntnu.no  or Prof. Helge Langseth, Department of Computer Science, NTNU, Trondheim. Email: helge.langseth@ntnu.no . Also the following can be contacted: Jie Wu, SINTEF. Email: jie.wu@sintef.no

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Marit Gjersvold, e-mail: marit.gjersvold@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 IV-161/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 10.08.2020

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.

Department of Marine Technology

We develop methods and technology related to the blue economy: oil and gas extraction at sea, ship technology and the equipment industry, fisheries and aquaculture. We also have a strong commitment to the development of sustainable solutions for offshore renewable energy, coastal infrastructure, and marine robotics. Marine technology helps to solve major global challenges related to the environment, climate, energy, food and efficient transport. The Department of Marine Technology is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 11th August 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Department of Marine Technology