PhD Candidate in AI-Enabled Maritime Systems for Environmental Monitoring

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The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

COD-SPAWN is an ambitious, cross-disciplinary research initiative at NTNU Ålesund that develops and pilots a next-generation autonomous monitoring system for Atlantic cod spawning and pollution dynamics in Borgundfjorden - Norway's second most important cod spawning ground and a nationally prioritized site for sediment remediation.

The project deploys unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) equipped with image-based particle sensors and AI-driven data analysis pipelines to enable real-time, high-resolution detection of cod eggs, microplastics, and suspended contamination in a fjord that has historically been compromised by heavy metals, PAHs, PCBs, and organotin compounds.

The project team involves researchers from several departments at NTNU Ålesund, and you will be part of the core team consisting of two PhD researchers, and two Postdoctoral researchers.

The Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering (IHB) at Norwegian University of Science and Technology is opening a PhD position in Maritime Mechatronics and AI-Driven Environmental Monitoring as part of the ongoing COD-SPAWN project funded by the Ocean and Coast thematic area of NTNU.

COD-SPAWN aims to develop novel sensor technologies and autonomous monitoring systems for marine environments, with a particular focus on supporting sustainable coastal and fjord ecosystems. The project integrates advanced sensing, robotics, and artificial intelligence to enable continuous, high-resolution monitoring of environmental conditions and biological processes, including those relevant to cod spawning dynamics.

The sensor technology has been successfully validated in laboratory conditions and will be further developed and adapted for real-world marine deployment, using Borgundfjorden as a living laboratory and demonstration site. Autonomous data acquisition will be carried out using unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) based on the Maritime Robotics Otter X platform.

The successful candidate will contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• Sensor payload development and prototyping, including mechanical, electrical, and embedded system design
• Integration of sensors and systems on USVs, including control systems and onboard software
• Real-time environmental monitoring, including remote operation and data transmission
• AI-driven data analysis, including machine learning and computer vision for environmental interpretation

Within the scope of the project, the PhD research can be adapted to the candidate's interests and background, allowing for specialization in hardware, systems integration, or data analytics.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a strong engineering background in one or more of the following fields:

• Mechatronics
• Robotics or Cybernetics
• Marine Technology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering

Candidates with a background in computer science, data science, or civil/environmental engineering, combined with relevant experience in sensing, robotics, or AI, are also encouraged to apply. The project is inherently interdisciplinary, and the candidate will collaborate closely with experts in marine biology, environmental monitoring, and ocean engineering

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.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

• Complete the doctoral training programme and successfully obtain a PhD degree
• Conduct high-quality research within the framework described above
• Contribute to academic publications and engage in popular science dissemination
• Actively participate in the research group associated with the project
• Engage in international academic activities, including conferences and/or research stays at partner institutions abroad

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in engineering: mechatronics, mechanical, robotics, cybernetics, marine technology, or a closely related field. Candidates with strong backgrounds in computer science, electrical engineering or civil engineering combined with relevant experience will also be considered. 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 and no later than August 2026.
• 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 maybe 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

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph "About the application".

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

• Work 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 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
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written proficiency in English

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.