PhD Candidate in Design of Oceangoing Trawlers

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 Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering (IHB) at NTNU has an open PhD research position in design of oceangoing trawlers. The position is affiliated with ongoing research project “FISH4.0 - Industrialization of the marine value chain” financed through the Research Council of Norway.

The project aims to contribute to value creation and adaptation within the marine and maritime industries in Møre og Romsdal through cross-sectorial collaboration, knowledge development and capacity building. The Norwegian fishing fleet is facing both national and international demands and expectations for sustainable future growth and development in line with the industrial green shift. To achieve this, new knowledge and technology are required for developing new automated systems for handling large volumes of raw material whilst also enhancing quality.

Your immediate leader is Head of department.

Duties of the position

The candidate shall perform research leading to a PhD within the topic of oceangoing trawler design with emphasis on low power consumption and minimum motion characteristics allowing fully automatic production of fish products.

The candidate shall establish and document key design criteria targeting among others:

• Passive and active motion reducing methods. Introducing machine learning algorithms minimizing ship movement.
• Alternative layouts and arrangements
• Main particulars and hull forms
• Propulsion configurations

The research is expected to cover theoretical work, simulations, and laboratory experiments. The role will provide ample opportunities to interact with companies in the maritime cluster.

Also, the candidate will be expected to:

• Present findings at project meetings and national and international workshops and conferences
• Write scientific papers
• Prepare a set of teaching material on BSc and MSc level from own project work.
• Participate actively in the Ocean Operation community at NTNU

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, 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. 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.
• Strong capabilities in analytical thinking, mathematical and physics-based modelling
• Knowledge on statistical techniques and being able to work with them in data assessment and reporting
• Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program. Link to information Admission PhD Studies.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  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  

• Written and oral fluency in Norwegian or other Scandinavian language (Danish/Swedish). 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: Minimum score of 90 points on the internet-based test, minimum score of 600 points on the paper-based test

IELTS: Academic test with a minimum overall band score of 6.5

CAE/CPE: grade B or A

Pearsons Academic English test (PTE): The academic version with a minimum score of 62

Preferred selection criteria

• Having documented practical skills, e.g., a diploma of skilled craftmanship or experience from relevant industry
• Having experience with ship design, and emphasis on fishing vessels
• Having experience with scientific experimental work
• Having knowledge of hydrodynamics

Personal characteristics

• Good communications skills
• Being proactive and creative
• Ability to work independently as well as being a good team-worker
• Ability to conduct research at an international level
• Keen interest in the wider context of own research, and an ability to engage in cross-disciplinary teams

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 501 200 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 (Link to website ) 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

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment 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.

The application must include: 

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Motivation letter
• 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 research proposal (maximum 5 pages), briefly explaining the background and preliminary research methodology for the project (e.g. what are the main research questions and how do you want to address them?).
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 works)
• 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, 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

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.

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 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 Lars Erik Nygård, telephone +4791328951, email: lars.e.nygard@ntnu.no

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Linda Granmo, e-mail: liiv@ntnu.no

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: 09.02.2023

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.   

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 9th February 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Ålesund
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Ålesund/Campus Ålesund her