About the position 

We have a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Fellow to work on autonomous perception in extreme environments using machine learning (deep learning) and other data science tools.

The work will be conducted in a high-level international research environment at the premises of NTNU in Trondheim at the Department of Marine Technology -- a world leader in education, research, and innovation for engineering systems in the marine environment. The research will be carried out in cooperation with the Department of Computer Science, industry, and the Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems.

Our aim is to provide the optimum conditions for young scientists to do exciting research leading to high-impact results, which focus on development and utilization of new technologies in extreme environments.

The Postdoctoral Fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions. The position will report to Associate Professor.

Duties of the position

• The objective is to develop new set of tools allowing to record and study safe and sustainable navigation strategies under extreme environmental conditions. The work will build on current developments within our research group with a possibility of pilot testing of the approach in August 2022 during the Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition
• The successful candidate should expect to contribute to a better understanding of best maneuvering practices and speed selection

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD
• The candidate’s PhD degree should be within the disciplines of computer science, cybernetics, control engineering, or equivalent as documented by the applicant
• The candidate must document further application knowledge within data science and machine learning methods, preferably as applied to image analysis and/or path planning
• Computer programming skills must be documented, listing competency in relevant software and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Excellent English skills (both written and spoken)
• Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside Europe must present an official language test report. The acceptable tests are TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:
  • TOEFL: 600 / writing 4.5 (paper-based) or 92 / writing 22 (internet-based)
  • 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.

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge and experience within data acquisition, instrumentation, and implementation of data-driven algorithms, as well as background in cyberphysical systems and IoT
• Earlier academic results, publications, relevant coursework, professional experience, personal aptitude, and motivations for making an impact on sustainable Arctic shipping with safe navigation in sea ice conditions
• Experience within Arctic technologies and Arctic research campaigns

Personal characteristics

• High self-motivation and high motivation for research and research topic
• Scientific curiosity and open-minded attitude
• Independent and systematic working style
• Flexible and reliable
• Excellent communication skills, good in collaborating with others in an interdisciplinary research environment

We are seeking a candidate who is curious and interested in learning new things. You should have a high level of personal responsibility, initiative, and ability to work independently as well as in a project team.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal and interpersonal qualities and suitability. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.

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

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 553 500 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 two 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 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 on a daily basis.

About the application 

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

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. 

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

The application must include:

• A cover letter (0.5-2 pages) where the applicant states their motivation for applying to this position
• CV which includes information about education background and relevant experience
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's- master's- and PhD degrees (in English or Norwegian). Candidates from universities outside Norway are expected to send a Diploma Supplement or similar documentation
• English language proficiency documentation (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, etc.). This requirement is waived for applicants whose mother tongue is English, as well as for applicants from Scandinavian countries
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 items). 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
• Name and contact information of three referees (including e-mail addresses and telephone number)

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

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 Ekaterina Kim, telephone +4773595711, e-mail: ekaterina.kim@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Michi Skorstad Murakami, e-mail: michi.s.murakami@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-37/21 when applying.

Application deadline: 15.08.2021

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 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 15th August 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Institutt for marin teknikk