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.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHQjc4ndas&t=41sAbout the position
Are you interested in the present and future sea ice state in the Arctic Ocean?
There are several means of observing ice conditions in ice-choked waters. For some applications, daily or weekly information on sea ice is sufficient, whereas for maritime operations a much higher temporal resolution is needed — especially with regard to ice drift, so that onboard and remote operations are provided with accurate information for decision-making. Complex operations in the marginal ice zone with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Unmanned Surface Vehicles also rely on ice drift and general ice situational awareness at a high spatio-temporal resolution.
The project shall explore the use of marine radar onboard ice-going vessels as decision input for Arctic marine operations. The idea is to use the radar to identify the ice drift surrounding the vessel, and also to explore its potential for identifying concentration, floe size, geometry, and possibly stage of development. The plan is to build models so that radar measurements alone can be used to populate, as far as possible, the Stage of Development, Concentration, and Form fields — thereby obtaining a "live" Egg Code for decision-making onboard the vessel at all times.
Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia. The position is likely to involve fieldwork in Arctic conditions.
Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.
About the project
This PhD position is affiliated with Arctic Ocean 2050, a ten-year Norwegian research initiative bringing together 18 institutions to explore how the Arctic Ocean will change over the coming decade. The program's vision is a sustainably and collaboratively managed Arctic Ocean, approached as one interconnected system spanning from the seafloor to the atmosphere, addressing the local, regional and global consequences of climate change in the region.
The initiative is organized around six research themes: global drivers and feedbacks, the changing Arctic Ocean, abrupt changes and adaptation, human activity in the Blue Arctic, modelling and observing, and Arctic pathways for policy-relevant solutions. This position contributes to the modelling and observing theme, developing radar-based methods for ice drift and situational awareness that feed directly into the program's broader research effort.
Duties of the position
- Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
- Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
- Academic publications and popular science dissemination
- Participate in the Maritime and Smart infrastructure research groups
- Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
- Other career-promoting work
Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.
Required selection criteria
- You must have a relevant Master's degree in Cybernetics, Electrical Engineering, Remote Sensing, (Geo)Physics, Applied Mathematics, Marine Technology, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis
- Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
- You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
- You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme in Engineering
The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.
Preferred selection criteria
- Familiar with use of real-world data
- Experience with fieldwork
- Experience with signal and image processing
Personal characteristics
To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:
- WWork independently
- Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
- Present and discuss your research with other professionals
- Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
- Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
- Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
- Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
- Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed
Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.
We offer
- An exciting job with an important mission in society
- Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
- Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
- Working capital that can be used to implement the project
- Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
- Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)
As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.
Diversity
Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.
We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.
If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.
At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. (delete if not applicable)
Salary and conditions
In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.
The employment period is 3 years.
For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.
As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.
For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.
The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.
About the application
The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. (decide on this - remove if not applicable)
Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.
The application must include:(decide on what must be included - remove what does not fit):
- Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
- CV
- Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently 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 outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project and progress plan (maximum 1500 words/4 pages)
- Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
- Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
- Possibly certificates
- Names and contact information of three relevant 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. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found
here. If you already have a statement from
Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.
Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to
The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and
CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).
General information
A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt 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 exemption is not granted.
If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Torodd Skjerve Nord, Associate Professor, email torodd.nord@ntnu.no
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Lara Broman, HR & PhD Coordinator, e-mail: lara.bromann@ntnu.no
Application deadline: 12.10.2026
-----------------
For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.
Ålesund, known for its unique Art Nouveau architecture and spectacular nature, is a gem on Norway's west coast. The city offers a vibrant cultural life, modern facilities, and a dynamic business environment. With its strategic location by the sea, Ålesund provides a perfect balance between urban living and natural experiences. Here, you will find excellent schools, top-notch healthcare services, and a wide range of recreational activities. Ålesund is an ideal place for both career and family life, with a safe and inclusive community.