About the position

We have a vacancy for a full time, two-year project for a researcher with good knowledge of acoustic physics, signal processing, and programming at the Centre for Innovative Ultrasound Solutions (CIUS). Having a PhD is preferred but not required.

The purpose of the project is to understand, implement, and improve on the algorithms currently used to process the ultrasonic measurements used to determine whether petroleum wells are tightly sealed or not. Such well log measurements are essential for environmental safety as well as the safety of platform staff.

Despite the importance of such measurements, and even though service companies have offered well logging tools based on the same measurement principles for around 40 years, development of processing algorithms has been slow. While different service companies often have their own patented processing algorithms, there is at least one algorithm that is still in extensive use today despite being more than 30 years old. However, research has shown that there is more information available in the measured waveforms than the current processing algorithms can extract.

Furthermore, research on processing algorithms has not been widespread outside the service companies that develop and offer such tools. A major reason for this is that real measured well log data has not been widely available. However, in CIUS we have the advantage of having access to a large non-public dataset measured in a variety of North Sea wells and a detailed understanding of how to use it. Furthermore, we have knowledge about and experience with several of the pre-existing processing algorithms as well as very strong ultrasound skills in general.

The researcher will be part of CIUS, a multidisciplinary centre for research-based innovation funded for 8 years by the Research Council of Norway. CIUS is a collaboration between 12 ultrasound industry companies, 3 universities, one research institute and 4 public health partners. CIUS aims be a world-leading centre for research and innovation in ultrasound, with applications in e.g. healthcare, maritime, and oil and gas. The position will be based at the heart of CIUS, at the Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway.

The position reports to Erlend Magnus Viggen, researcher at NTNU/CIUS. Other NTNU/CIUS researchers that will be involved are Svein-Erik Måsøy and Tonni Franke Johansen. The project will be developed in collaboration with the CIUS industrial partner Equinor.

Duties of the position

• Study and implement pre-existing ultrasonic well integrity processing algorithms
• Create synthetic well log data with known ground truth using acoustic simulation tools
• Analyse and quantify the performance of different algorithms on real and synthetic data
• Develop an open-source library for processing well logs with existing algorithms
• Draw on the experience gained in the previous steps to develop and validate an improved processing algorithm
• Publish results in the scientific literatur

Required selection criteria

• Good understanding of acoustic physics
• Good signal processing skills
• Good programming skills, preferably including Python
• Good written and oral communication skills in English
• A Master’s degree in a related field such as physics, geophysics, or electrical engineerin

Preferred selection criteria

• A PhD degree in a relevant field such as physics, geophysics, or electrical engineering
• Good knowledge and understanding of oil well construction and well logging
• Good acoustic simulation skills
• Good software development skills

Personal characteristics

• Strong analytical skills and discipline
• Strong writing skills, capable of synthesizing and expressing complex ideas clearly
• Team player, collaborative, and respectful; values the inputs and opinions of others
• Self-motivated, ambitious, resilient, resourceful, result-oriented, and independent

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

The gross salary for the position of Researcher with a Ph.D. (code 1109) is normally remunerated at gross from NOK 534 400 til NOK 677 600 before tax per year, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The gross salary for the position of Researcher withouth a Ph.D. (code 1108) is normally remunerated at gross from NOK 454 200 til NOK 574 700 before tax per year, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

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

The position is subject to external funding.

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

About the application

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

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: 

• CV, certificates, and diplomas 
• Short statement from a former supervisor/tutor/teacher
• Publication list, if applicable
• Candidates from non-English speaking countries outside the Nordic countries must provide official documentation of their English competence. Approved tests and results are:
  • TOEFL: 600 / writing 4.5 (paper-based test), 92 / writing 22 (internet- based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS tests accepted)
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade A or B

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 assessment of the best qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

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.

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. 

Under the Freedom of 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 Researcher Erlend Magnus Viggen, email erlend.viggen@ntnu.no. 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Sissel Sollien, e-mail: sissel.sollien@ntnu.no 

Please submit your application and supporting documentation via jobbnorge.no. 

Application deadline: 02.01.2022

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.

The Department of Circulation and Imaging (ISB) has 260 employees, and its research units are at the Cardiothoracic Centre at St. Olav’s Hospital, integrated with collaborating clinical divisions. The Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging (ISB) includes anaesthesiology, radiology, radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, exercise physiology, cardiovascular physiology, pulmonary physiology, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery and biomedical engineering.

The department is also responsible for the Centre for Innovative Ultrasound Solutions (CIUS), the Medical Simulation Centre and the MR Centre. More information about the department is available at http://www.ntnu.edu/isb

Deadline 2nd January 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Øya, Trondheim