Post-doctoral Fellow in Data-Driven Optimization and Control

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 44,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions. 

As companies collect data in ever increasing amounts in order to monitor and potentially improve performance in different aspects of their business, there is a need for methods that automate the analysis of data and the subsequent decision-making process. The objective of this post-doctoral research project is to develop general methods for real-time optimization and control in the intersection between control theory and machine learning.

This position is associated with the center for research-based innovation DigiWells: Digital Well Center for Value Creation, Competitiveness and Minimum Environmental Footprint. The center provides a collaborative environment consisting of researchers at NORCE, experts from industry, professors from UiS, NTNU and UiB and a total of 17 PhD students and postdocs.

The employed candidate will be expected to fit in and contribute to this multidisciplinary environment. There will also be opportunities to collaborate and visit the center’s international partners: Stanford University, TU Clausthal, University of the Basque Country, and UT Austin. 

The position in data-driven optimization and control at NTNU reports to Professor Ole Morten Aamo as the main scientific supervisor of the research.

The candidate will be expected to make novel contributions to the systems & control toolbox in the intersection between control theory and machine learning. The work will include: 

• developing intelligent control strategies for real-time optimization (extremum seeking control, model predictive control, gradient-less optimization, safe reinforcement learning)
• conducting simulations to demonstrate, showcase and validate developed control strategies
• disseminating results through peer-reviewed journals and conferences
• work in close collaboration with PhD students within DigiWells

You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in systems and control engineering. If you can document that the PhD thesis has been submitted, your application can be assessed even if you have not yet defended your dissertation. Documentation of the obtained doctoral degree must be presented before you can take up the position. The required selection criteria are: 

• Academic background as listed above
• Excellent English skills (written and oral)
• Excellent computer programming skills
• Relevant publication record

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Ph.D Candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate.

• Knowledge and skills in the following areas are relevant: optimization, estimation theory, modelling and simulation, autonomous systems, machine learning, reinforcement learning.
• Work experience with design of control systems and software development.
• Mastering of a Scandinavian language.

The candidate is expected 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

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 563 500 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 3 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.

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

Publications and other scientific work must follow 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:

• A short and directed cover letter (in English or Norwegian) identifying:
  •  Your motivation for a post-doctoral fellowship
  •  Your understanding and thoughts of topics of the position
  •  Why you are suited for the position
• CV including information relevant for the qualifications
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and transcripts (in English or Norwegian). If you have not yet completed your Ph.D, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, or have recently submitted your thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 items). You must be first author.
• Research plan
• Name and contact information of three 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. Description of the documentation required can be found here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

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. 

Working at NTNU 

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.

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 continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes. 

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 professor Ole Morten Aamo, email [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. 

Application deadline: 10.12.2022.

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.

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 .