Associate Professor in Remote Operations

The maritime industry is facing changes in a riveting speed. Technological developments are driving changes in how ships are operated and managed. The ships are becoming increasingly complex socio-technical systems, with distributed capabilities, between humans and technology, as well as new constellations between land and sea. The transition towards distributed maritime capabilities and the use of dispersed teams, raises many pressing questions in how to optimize operations. Relevant questions include issues of regulation, coordination, communication, organization, and cyber security.

As a result, the shipping and nautical group have identified a mission to be “a knowledge hub on operational, organizational and sustainability implications of maritime remote operations”. Considering this strategic prioritization, we are currently seeking to strengthen our team with one associate professor with interest and relevant competence to tackle these questions. In acknowledgement of the progressively more interconnected relationship between sea and land, the one holding the position should have a competence relevant to research and teach in the intersection between the two study programs.

We can offer the relevant candidate a fruitful arena for exploring the opportunities as well as the challenges that the maritime industry is facing. The department offers a rich, interdisciplinary, environment for intellectual debate as it houses technological as well as more operative environments. As part of the shipping and nautical group, you will be part of a team researching various operative matters relevant for these developments, but also educating future workers for the industry.

Your immediate leader is Head of the department.

Duties of the position

• teaching within relevant subjects for Shipping and Nautical educational programs position 
• supervision of students at bachelor- and master level in our study programs
• contribute to initiating a research portfolio, with particular focus on remote operations
• research and publication within relevant fields for the position
• contribute into industry networks, and stimulate further development of, network with relevant industry actors
• dissemination
• other relevant administrative tasks

Required qualifications 

You must have the qualifications required for the position of Associate Professor in the field of nautical studies, as outlined in the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts 

• Your PhD, or comparable academic work, must be within the field of nautical studies or a comparable relevant field. The subject of the PhD work should be relevant for the given subject e.g. cyber security, dispersed crew and so forth.
• 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. 
• Has or has had Deck Officer Class 1 or 2 STCW Certificate or equivalent competence at higher education level 
• Good oral and written English language skills
• Non-Scandinavian speaking candidates need formal documentation of written and oral fluency in English. 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). Minimum scores are:
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A

You must document relevant basic competence in teaching and supervision at a university/higher education-level, as referenced in the Norwegian national Regulations . If this cannot be documented, you will be required to complete an approved course in university pedagogy within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses. 

New employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language by appointment is required, within three years, to demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three of the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU .  

Preferred qualifications

• work experience from the maritime domain and particularly within nautical operations
• experience from maritime simulation-based learning
• teaching experience from higher education
• international and/or international network within the maritime industry and relevant research institutions

Personal qualities

• good cooperative skills
• flexibilty
• ability and motivation to contribute to a good work environment
• keen interest in the wider context of own research, and an ability to engage in cross-disciplinary teams

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities, and motivation for the position.

We offer 

Application Process

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

Salary and conditions

As a Associate Professor / Professor (code 1011 /1013 ) you are normally paid from gross 636 700 – 790 100 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into 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.   

Please note that the candidate holding the announced position is expected to work with critical infrastructure and areas affected by control of the export of strategic goods, services and technology. Candidates with the potential of not fulfilling requirement for security clearance, access clearance and authorization as described in the Act Relating to National Security, The Export Control Act and Act on the Implementation of International Sanctions (Sanctions Act) cannot be considered for the position (e.g., candidates from Russia, Iran, North Korea, China, among other countries).

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. 

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation must be in 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.

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.

Your application must include:

• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• Letter of motivation 
• A teaching portfolio, in which your teaching competence is compiled and presented systematically,   (See guidelines for applicants: Documentation of teaching qualifications in applications and appointments to academic positions at NTNU )
• Academic works – published or unpublished – that you wish to be considered during assessment of your application (up to 10 items)
• A description of the scientific/artistic works you consider most relevant, which you particularly wish to be factored into the assessment
• A list of your previous works, with details on where they have been published
• A research plan
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees

You are encouraged to use the Universities Norway’s NOR-CAM toolbox  as a guide for  documentation of your competence.

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.

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. Our assessment of the pedagogical skills will be based on documented pedagogical material, forms of presentation in your academic works, teaching experience, PhD, and Masters supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration, and an open scientific practice will be recognized.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA  and The obligations in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment ( CoARA) on responsible assessment of research and recognition of a  wider range of academic contributions to science and society. This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will be considered by an expert committee. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview, and to deliver a trial teaching session.

Your application will be considered by an expert committee. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview, and to deliver a trial teaching session.

General information

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 . (tas bort hvis ikke aktuelt)  

The city of Ålesund, with its population of 50 000, will provide you with plenty of opportunities to explore a region of Norway that is famous for its beautiful scenery with high mountains and blue fjords. Ålesund itself, with its Art Nouveau architecture, is by many considered to be the most beautiful city in Norway! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

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.

For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given the expert evaluation of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and is stipulated to rules of confidentiality.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Marte Fanneløb Giskeødegård, tel. + 47 70 16 13 05, e-mail [email protected] . 

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Nelly Ann Longva, 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: 24.05.2023

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 Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering

We aim to be a hub of international knowledge and innovation in maritime operations. This involves education and research on the design of ships and marine equipment as well as on the operation of vessels. Maritime operations integrate technology, human factors and business. The interfaces between these areas often spark inspiration for innovation and new solutions. The Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering  is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Deadline 24th May 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Ålesund
Scope Fulltime
Duration Permanent
Place of service NTNU Ålesund/Campus Ålesund