PhD candidate in Field Robotics – Autonomous Robotic Systems operating in complex environments

About The Position

Field Robotics focuses on developing resilient robotic systems able to perform operations in diverse and highly dynamic environments and it has applications across many industries (e.g., oil and gas, offshore platforms, wind turbines, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, manufacturing, energy sector). These systems should be capable of autonomously navigating, exploring, mapping and performing inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) operations more robustly and for longer periods in unknown and complex terrains. To enable this vision, this position targets robust field autonomy for mobile robots by investigating methods for accurate localization, mapping and collision-free navigation for applications both in land and underwater. As a PhD in this position, your task will be to acquire new fundamental knowledge and develop key technologies for fully autonomous robotic systems by investigating methods for advanced perception, reliable state estimation, precise localization and mapping, agile autonomous navigation and exploration, and robust control with the overall goal to realize intelligent robotic systems to operate safely, reliably, and efficiently in complex, real-work scenarios. Access to infrastructures/facilities and several robotic systems from NTNU will be provided for lab and field demonstrations.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

The research will be conducted at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering of NTNU. The position reports to Professor Eleni Kelasidi as main scientific supervisor of the research and your immediate Line Manager will be the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
  
  

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• you must have a strong academically relevant background and Master’s degree in robotics, control engineering (cybernetics) or equivalent
• your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• you must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme
• excellent English skills (written and oral)
  
  

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01.08.2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate

Preferred Selection Criteria

• knowledge and skills in the following areas: Robotics, computer science, computer vision, machine learning, state estimation, perception, sensor fusion, autonomous systems, navigation and control
• experience in programming in C++ and Python, and strong software development skills
• experience with the Robot Operating System (ROS)
• extensive hands-on/practical experience on developing and/or testing robotic systems
  
  

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able 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 by keeping an open, honest and professional interaction with the colleagues at NTNU
• work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed
  
  

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• working capital that can be used to implement the project
• mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• training during working hours and company sports at NTNU
• As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
  
  

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 532 200 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

About The Application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no.

The Application Must Include

• a motivation letter (1-2 pages), indicating how the applicant envisages her/his contribution within the domain of the position
• CV (including list of publications and relevant former positions
• transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and certificates
• copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• names and contact information of minimum two relevant referees
  
  

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, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

Please note that the person hired will work with critical infrastructure and areas affected by controls on the export of strategic goods, services and technology. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for the necessary security clearance, access clearance and authorization as described in the National Security Act, the Export Control Act and the Act on the Implementation of International Sanctions (Sanctions Act) cannot be considered.

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Eleni Kelasidi, (+47) 45185796, [email protected].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Hedda Winnberg, e-mail: [email protected].

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

Application deadline: 12.02.2025

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech 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.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

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 Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

We educate graduates who can create new products, operate and maintain products, and manage projects. The Department has a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. We conduct wide-ranging research in fields such as technology, energy, product quality and development, and productivity. The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.