PhD Research Fellowship available as part of the DREAMS

About the position

Department of Marine Technology , NTNU, have a vacancy for one PhD Research Fellowship available as part of the DREAMS (Design Re-Engineering and Modularization in Shipbuilding) project.

The main objective of the DREAMS will be to improve the efficiency and quality of ship design processes by re-engineering, modularisation, and automation. More specifically, we believe that by re-engineering the design process, combined with a higher degree of automation of selected tasks, we can reduce the total resource expenditure in conceptual and basic design by at least 30%. Further, by extending the focus from predominantly technical details towards commercial and sustainability performance we can better meet customer needs and expectations. Further, by disseminating the project results into naval architecture educational training programmes, we can improve the medium- and long-term implementation and use of new design methods and technologies in the Norwegian maritime industry.

Core research questions for the PhD scholarship will be: What is a representative benchmark model of current design practices in Norwegian design firms? How can we quantify the relation between (competitiveness) value and resource expenditure for the design tasks covered by this model? How can we classify individual design activities with respect to their potential for being partly or fully automated? How can we involve the customer more deeply and effectively in the early stages of conceptual ship design? What are appropriate methods, ranging from physics-based analysis to data science and AI that can support the automation of individual tasks? How can (a selection of) these methods be implemented into a realistic industrial setting, considering the availability of data, ICT technologies and staff competencies and behaviour? How can we efficiently combine both human-centric and automated design tasks into an overall business-centric design process, taking into consideration the vessel and the complete fleet system? How can we use the findings from the project to further develop academic programmes in naval architecture?

The PhD candidate will work closely with Ulstein International  and other industrial partners in the project. This implies being part of a team developing next generation ship designs and business processes that will improve the competitiveness of Norwegian ship design firms.

Applicants should preferably have a MSc in naval architecture, marine or offshore technology, but a MSc in other fields, such as industrial economy, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial mathematics or similar, may also be considered. Additional competence related to simulation model development, design methods, systems engineering, and data modelling is of interest. Experience from the maritime industry is an advantage. Fluency in spoken and written English is essential for the position, while some command of Norwegian is an advantage for the collaboration with Norwegian industry partners.

You will report to Professor Stein Ove Erikstad

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in technology
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
• You must have a 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.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD in Engineering (Doctoral Programme) 3 years - Trondheim - NTNU

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  

Preferred selection criteria

• Systems analysis and design experience, preferably related to maritime industries
• Process modelling and analysis
• Generic ICT competencies
• Good written and oral English and Norwegian language skills

Personal characteristics

• Ability to communicate with both academic and industrial professionals
• Open, curios, innovative

We offer

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross 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.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in marine technology 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 on a daily basis.

About the application

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 (Departments to choose from the following):

• 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.
• Project proposal
• Research plan
• Name and address 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.

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

Working at NTNU

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.

According to the Freedom of 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 Professor Stein Ove Erikstad, telephone +47 932 01 255, e-mail: [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Michi Skorstad Murakami, e-mail: [email protected] .

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 IV-213/21 when applying.

Application deadline: 15 October 2021

Deadline 15th October 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Permanent
Place of service Institutt for marin teknikk