About the position

We have a vacant PhD position in Interaction Design for autonomous ships at the Department of Design.

The PhD candidate will work on challenging research problems related to Interaction Design, Human Factors and Human-Machine Interface design for autonomous ships.

The position is part of SFI AutoShip, the new 8-year research-based innovation Center in autonomous ships. The Centre focuses on autonomy, digital infrastructure, maritime transport, safety and risk analysis, maritime law, human-machine interaction, and cyber security, with partners from research, public sector and maritime industry. For more information about SFI AutoShip, see www.ntnu.edu/sfi-autoship.

Why apply for a PhD position?

The main objective of a PhD position is to develop skills to solve complex problems related to the research topic. Being part of a project like SFI Autoship, gives you a unique arena for collaboration and networking, also across disciplines and with industry. The Norwegian industry needs personnel with PhD competence to stay competitive and develop new jobs for the future. A PhD degree also opens new attractive career opportunities at universities and research institutes.

The position reports to Head of Department.

There are several PhD positions announced for SFI AutoShip, and you are encouraged to apply for more than one position if they coincide with your background and interests.

Duties of the position

Focusing on interaction and HMI design this PhD position will research and design interactions and the graphical user interface between the human remote operator and autonomous ships at sea; also the interaction at sea between autonomous ships and conventional manned ships. As part of the research activities, you will collaborate actively with some of the partners in the SFI AutoShip Center. You will be encouraged to have a research stay with one of the collaborating universities outside Norway during the research period.

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 Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Cognitive Science, Graphical Design, Nautical Science 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.

Required qualifications

• Academic background as listed above
• Excellent English skills (written and oral)
• Experience in research, design and prototype HMIs and GUIs on different levels of fidelity and to perform user tests on them.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience in working with autonomous or highly automated systems
• Experience in control room development and human-automation interaction 
• Experience in the maritime domain and ship handling

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

The candidate is expected to:

• Be scientifically curious and open to new research challenges
• Demonstrate independence and persistence in addressing technical problems
• Be flexible and reliable, with ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team

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 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.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Desig 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 (ta stilling til om stillinger skal være betinget av ekstern finansiering).

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

About the application

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

The application must include:

• A short and directed cover letter (in English or Norwegian) identifying:
• Your motivation for a PhD study
• Your understanding and thoughts of topics of the position
• Why you are suited for the position.
• CV including information relevant for the qualifications
• Contact information for at least 2 reference persons
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and transcripts (in English or Norwegian)

Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered can also be added, if it is relevant for the topics of the position. Joint works will be considered if you have added an explanation of your own independent contribution to the work.

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

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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.

Questions about the position can be directed to Professor Thomas Porathe, thomas.porathe@ntnu.no or Head of department Ole Andreas Alsos, oleanda@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 2020/41118 when applying.

Application deadline: 31.01.2021

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 Design

We are located in both Trondheim (industrial design) and Gjøvik (graphic design and web technology). Both groups have expertise in interaction design and share research interests in health and welfare technology. The design environment links many technology communities at NTNU, and nationally the Department has extensive collaboration with Norwegian industrial companies. The Department of Design is one of four departments in the Faculty of Architecture and Design

Deadline 31st January 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service