Phd Fellow in automatic control of satellites and satellite formations

Espen Eidum
5th May 2023
Languages
English

• Norsk Bokmål
• English

English
Faculty engineering science and technology
Phd Fellow in automatic control of satellites and satellite formations
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The position

A PhD position is available at the Department of electrical engineering , Faculty of engineering science and technology from November 2023, for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophy Doctor (PhD). The position is affiliated with the research group Electromechanical systems, within the field of control engineering.

The position is for a period of four years. The PhD position is for a fixed term, with the objective of completion of research training to the level of a doctoral degree during the period of employment. Admission to the PhD programme in engineering science at IVT is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.

The position will be affiliated with the Department of electrical engineering, and the PhD candidate will be part of the research group Electromechanical systems. The research group conducts applied research in fields such as remote sensing, communications technology, autonomous platforms, power electronics, energy systems and advanced control.

More information on the research group can be found here: https://uit.no/research/elsys .

The workplace is at UiT in Narvik. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The project

The PhD position relates to the project “QBDebris: A CubeSat formation for space debris characterisation”, funded by the Norwegian Research Council. The project aims to demonstrate the successful operation of a formation of two CubeSats capable of characterising space debris in situ. The satellites will be joined together to a size of 3U at launch, and once in orbit, split into two satellites which will maintain relative distance and orientation using novel control strategies. The CubeSats will be designed with actuators for reorientation (reaction wheels, magnetorquers), to be able to synchronize their attitudes to satisfy mission requirements. Orbital adjustments will be made by utilising differences in drag, depending on the spacecraft orientation, providing significant challenges to flight coordination.

Once operational, the satellites will characterise and record the orbital elements of space debris smaller than the ground detection limit (3.2mm) using of the shelf commercial radars. Very little is known about these objects, even though there are millions of them in orbit, and they pose a significant risk for both astronauts and satellites.

Space debris is a rising threat to satellites and humans in orbit. Even small pieces of debris can cause major damage or failure of satellites, which has led several organisations to focus on monitoring and modelling of the situation. This includes organisations such as ESA Space Debris , NASA and U.S. intelligence .

Space debris varies in size and shape and includes everything from old satellites and rockets to smaller objects of around 100 micrometres. It is estimated to be over 130 million objects larger than 1 millimetre in space classified as debris. Some of this can be detected from the ground, and according to ESA space debris by the numbers , we are currently tracking around 30.000 of these objects. It is however not possible to detect space debris smaller than 3 millimeters using ground-based measurements.

On completion, the project will have demonstrated characterisation of small pieces of space debris in situ using off the shelf radars, and shown that it is possible to coordinate orientation and maintain relative position between satellites using a leader-follower scheme with attitude control actuators only.

More information on the project can be found here: https://uit.no/research/elsys/project?pid=793891 

 The research for this position focuses on:

• Attitude control of satellites with reaction wheels and magnetic torquers
• Coordinated attitude control of satellites in leader-follower formations
• Drag-based relative position control

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Raymond Kristiansen: 

• email: [email protected]

Qualifications

This position requires a master’s degree or equivalent in satellite engineering, aerospace engineering, control engineering, engineering cybernetics or a similar discipline. 

Applicants must document fluency of in English and be able to work in an international environment. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma.  Working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is also beneficial. Previous publications on a relevant topic are considered meritorious.

In addition, knowledge and training in the following fields are desirable:

• Control design for space systems
• Modelling and simulation of space systems (Matlab/Simulink)
• Programming (Python, C/C++)
• Mathematics

Knowledge of these needs to be documented, and GPA (grade point average) and translation rules for the European Standardized Character System must follow the application.

Moreover, knowledge in electronics, communication technology and scientific writing would be advantageous. 

The applicants must present a description outlining the academic basis of the PhD project. The project description shall not exceed one page, literature references not included. It must include a description of the theme, research question(s) and a reasoning of the choices. It should also indicate the methodologies to be used. The final project description will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor.

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. The project description will also be considered. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who:

• Have good collaboration skills
• Have good communication and interaction with colleagues and students
• Wants to contribute to a good working environment

As many as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

Admission to the PhD programme 

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the  Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology  and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:  

• A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS. 
• A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 30 ECTS for a master's degree of 120 ECTS. 
• A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 20 ECTS for an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS. 

UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

In order to gain admission to the programme, applicants with a background from a Norwegian institution should have a minimum grade of C on their master thesis and a weighted grade average of 3.0 for the last two years of their master programme. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here . 

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from NOKUT . Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. 

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position. 

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

David Jensen, Espen Eidum
We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project 
• Good career opportunities 
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues  
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund 
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 501 200 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

Application 

Your application must include: 

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV
• Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
• Transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• Documentation of proficiency in Norwegian  (or a Scandinavian language) if applicable
• 2-3 references with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works
• Project description (one page)

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcripts for the master’s degree with your application.

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline. 

General information 

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants . 

The engagement is to be made in accordance with 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.

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no .

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years. 

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure. 

In case of discrepancies between the Norwegian and the English version of this description, the English version takes precedence.
 

Charter & Code - Torger Grytå
Eallju - Developing the High North

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus comprehensive university at the international forefront. Our vision is to be a driving force for developing the High North. The Northern Sami notion eallju, which means eagerness to work, sets the tone for this motive power at UiT. Along with students, staff and the wider community, we aim to utilise our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio and interdisciplinary advantage to shape the future.

Our social mission is to provide research-based education of high quality, perform artistic development and carry out research of the highest international quality standards in the entire range from basic to applied. We will convey knowledge about disciplines and contribute to innovation. Our social mission unites UiT across various studies, research fields and large geographical distances. This demands good cooperation with trade and industry and civil society as well as with international partners. We will strengthen knowledge-based and sustainable development at a regional, national and international level.

Academic freedom and scientific and ethical principles form the basis for all UiT’s activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency and good processes will provide the decision-making basis we need to make wise and far-sighted priorities. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Founded on academic integrity, we will be courageous, committed and generous in close contact with disciplines, people and contemporary developments.

We will demonstrate adaptability and seek good and purposeful utilisation of resources, so we are ready to meet the expectations and opportunities of the future. We will strengthen the quality and impact of our disciplines and core tasks through the following three strategic priority areas.

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Deadline

5th May 2023

Employer

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Municipality

Narvik

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service

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