For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.
The PhD candidate will work on the challenging research problem of resilient autonomy in underwater robot operations in the domain of aquaculture. In particular, the envisioned research relates to the problem of robust underwater perception for localization and mapping in visually-degraded and dynamic fish farm environments. The activity will be part of the «ResiFarm: Resilient Robotic Autonomy for Underwater Operations in Fish Farms» project funded by the Research Council of Norway. SINTEF is the project owner.
The research will be conducted at the Department of Engineering Cybernetics of NTNU in collaboration with SINTEF Ocean’s Aquaculture technology department. Underwater robotic systems such as the Argus Mini ROV of SINTEF ACE and the Eelume robot will be provided as platforms for field trials and demonstrations in the Flume Tank and SINTEF ACE facilities of SINTEF Ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU6XERNfMkA&t=64s & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFk1DcmvxOQ&t=24s
The position is part of the Autonomous Robots Lab activities in resilient robotic autonomy across diverse operational conditions. The Autonomous Robots Lab has leading research in robotic autonomy and demonstrated performance in a collection of world-class projects funded by both European and US sources. For more details about our team, see https://www.autonomousrobotslab.com/. Indicative instances of our work can be seen in the following videos of our robotic experimentation: https://youtu.be/P3uT4gHEFHw & https://youtu.be/SNMsKAnCQkw
The candidate will be provided with a main academic supervisor from NTNU Department of Engineering Cybernetics, and a scientific co-supervisor from SINTEF Ocean.
The position reports to Professor Kostas Alexis as the main scientific supervisor of the research.
Duties of the position
This position is part of our research envisioning to reshape the underwater operations in dynamic, complex and perceptually-degraded environments. The project ResiFarm challenges the frontiers of resilient autonomy by aiming to deploy autonomous robots in industrial fish farming environments involving thousands of moving fish, deformable structures, water with varying qualities, strong currents and hydroacoustic noise. To enable this vision we intend to develop new fundamental knowledge and key technologies for the multi-modal fusion of diverse exteroceptive and proprioceptive sensing modalities enabling the accurate localization, mapping and collision-avoidance in such challenging underwater environments. Our team has extensive expertise in the domain of perceptually-degraded Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM). As a PhD in this position, your task will be to extend this line of research, break new ground and identify the necessary novel solutions that can facilitate seamless underwater perception inside fish farm environments assuming no (or only intermittent) access to external signals.
Required selection criteria
The PhD-position’s main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in control engineering (cybernetics) or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they 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 Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant
Required qualifications
• Academic background as listed above
• Excellent English skills (written and oral)
Preferred selection criteria
- Knowledge and skills in the following areas : Robotics, computer science, statistics, machine learning, computer vision, state estimation, sensor fusion, autonomous systems, embedded systems.
- Experience in programming in C++
- Experience with the Robot Operating System (ROS)
Applicants are requested to provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. The following tests can be used as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) [or other that the candidate explains as equivalent].
(In extraordinary circumstances, formal documentation of language skills can be relinquished. In such cases, the candidate’s language skills will be assessed in a personal interview).
Personal characteristics
• 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 491 200 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 / 4 years with teaching duties.
Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Engineering Cybernetics 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.
It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.
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.
The application must include:
- CV, certificates and diplomas
- transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not completed the master’s degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted
- A copy of the master’s thesis. If you recently have 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
- Research plan
- Name and address of two referees or reference letters
- If you have publications or other relevant research work
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. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.
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 and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.
NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA.
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.
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.
In accordance with The Public 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 Kostas Alexis, email konstantinos.alexis@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 2021/54086 when applying.
Application deadline: 08.11.2021.
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 Engineering Cybernetics (ITK)
Engineering cybernetics is the study of automatic control and monitoring of dynamic systems. We develop the technologies of tomorrow through close cooperation with industry and academia, both in Norway and internationally. The Department contributes to the digitalization, automation and robotization of society. The Department of Engineering Cybernetics is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.