PhD Candidate in marine robotics for visually augmented acoustic subsea navigation

12 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Department

Department of Marine Technology

Research Field

Engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Norway

Application Deadline

1 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the job

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

The Department of Marine Technology  at NTNU is seeking a PhD Candidate in “visually augmented acoustic subsea navigation”. The position is financed by the Research Council of Norway’s Innovation Project for the Industrial Sector, developing an integrated and robust acoustic-visual underwater navigation solution in collaboration with Nortek AS. This solution will harness the strengths of different sensors to reduce reliance on costly navigation systems and significantly enhance performance. The ultimate goal is to dramatically improve navigation for small, affordable underwater vehicles, simplifying operations and reducing operating costs. As such, this research project can increase the accessibility, use and impact of underwater robotic platforms in a wide range of marine science and economic activities.

This fellowship presents an exciting opportunity to delve into the development of groundbreaking technology with a focus on integrating visual systems into Doppler Velocity Logs (DVL) for enhanced underwater navigation, aiming to address challenges faced by visual perception underwater and its effective integration into navigation of unmanned subsea vehicles.

Your research is expected to cover theoretical work, extensive simulation and field experiments and demonstrations in diverse environments. Your role will provide ample opportunities to interact and collaborative with fellow marine technologists and marine scientists.

Your immediate leader is your supervisor. For administration purposes, this position reports to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

• perform research leading to a PhD within the topics of visual sensing and visual odometry (VO), SLAM, multi-sensor fusion and Self-Calibration such as:
  • developing robust visual-acoustic sensing configuration and odometry methods in underwater conditions, considering sensing configuration, image degradation and low signal-to-noise scenarios
  • investigating image matching, relative pose estimation considering visual and acoustic observations
  • exploring SLAM approaches to fuse visual and acoustic observations for improved motion estimation
  • incorporating calibration parameters into state estimation, enhancing accuracy and precision
  • developing real-time computational solutions for prototype hardware
• design and carry out field experiments and demonstrations as part of the IPN project

Required selection criteria

• professionally relevant background in robotics, engineering cybernetics, mechatronics, controls, computer science, or related fields
• education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
• strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed 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 program in engineering
• excellent written and oral English language skills

Our research has civilian objectives. However, equipment restricted by export licenses and ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) is being used in the research project. Access to high- resolution seafloor observations and maps is also restricted in Norway. Applicants that are citizens of Norway, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, EU or NATO countries are eligible. Other applicants are required to provide evidence of eligibility to use such equipment for their application to be considered/in their application.

------------------------

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate  and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Preferred selection criteria

• extensive hands-on experience with underwater robots and marine systems
• strong software development skills
• relevance of MSc topic
• other relevant experience with visual sensing, navigation, SLAM and machine learning for perception
• good written and oral Norwegian language skills

Personal characteristics

• fast learner with strong analytical skills
• flexible and dependable
• collaborative and open-minded
• innovative with a practical mindset

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

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 PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 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 Engineering  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.

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 be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include: 

• CV and certificates
• 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
• 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
• project proposal
• name and contact information of three referees
• 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.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short 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

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality.  

-----------------

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.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself 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 reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Oscar Pizarro, e-mail: [email protected] or Martin Ludvigsen, telephone +4791897272, e-mail: [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Marit Gjersvold, e-mail: [email protected] .

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 01.03.2024

 

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.

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Country

Norway

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/257666/phd-candidate-in-marine-r…

Contact

City

Trondheim

Website

http://www.ntnu.no

Street

Jonsvannsveien 82

Postal Code

N-7050

STATUS: EXPIRED