PhD Candidate in Agentic AI for Intelligent Control of Floating Multi-modular Structures

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); Trondheim; On-site; NOK 496,000 - 606,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public sector pension (SPK)

Teaching assistant opportunities

Job summary

NTNU seeks a PhD Candidate in agentic AI for intelligent structural control within the AIMOS project at the Department of Marine Technology. You will engage in research spanning AI, control theory, and offshore engineering, contributing to adaptive, physics-aware models for modular floating structures.

The role includes teaching assistance and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. The position requires a Master’s degree with strong grades, English proficiency, and admission to NTNU's

Qualifications

• Master's degree in marine technology, engineering cybernetics, mechanical engineering, computer science, or equivalent.
• Average grade of B or better on NTNU scale or documented equivalent.
• Must qualify for admission to the faculty's doctoral program.

Responsibilities

• Take courses totalling at least 30 ECTS.
• Conduct high-quality research within AIMOS on agentic AI for intelligent structural control.
• Publish academic work and disseminate popular science.
• Collaborate with AIMOS colleagues on fluid-structure interaction and smart materials.

Skills

English skills

Python

MATLAB

Machine learning

Reinforcement learning

Multi-agent systems

Control theory

Education

Master's in Marine Tech

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

About The Position

Would you like to work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and offshore engineering, contributing to the next generation of intelligent floating structures? The Department of Marine Technology at NTNU has a vacancy for a PhD Candidate in agentic AI for intelligent structural control. The position is part of the AIMOS project (Artificial Intelligence for Multiscale Offshore Structures), which develops integrated AI methods for the analysis, design, monitoring, and control of floating offshore systems.

Duties of the position

• Take courses in relevant technical topics, comprising a minimum of 30 ECTS.
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Conduct research on agentic AI and physics-aware control plant models for multi-modular floating structures with adaptive or variable-stiffness connectors, including reasoning, decision-making
• Combine engineering modelling, simulation data, and machine learning methods to support real-time control, monitoring, and decision-making.
• Analyse the dynamic behavior of modular floating structures, including connector loads, load redistribution, resonance effects, inter-module coupling, and response under varying sea states.
• Validate using numerical simulations, experiments data, and field measurements.
• Collaborate with other PhD candidates in AIMOS project, working with fluid-structure interaction and smart materials.
• Participate in the agentic AI research group Marine Cybernetics at the department
• Teaching assistance for the course "Modelling, simulation, and analysis of dynamic systems"

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required Selection Criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in marine technology, engineering cybernetics, mechanical engineering, computer science, or equivalent. 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 program (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phiv)
• Very good English skills (both written and spoken)
• Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside Europe must present an official language test report. The acceptable tests are TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:
  • TOEFL: 600 / writing 4.5 (paper-based) or 92 / writing 22 (internet-based)
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

Preferred Selection Criteria

• Strong background in marine, offshore, or structural engineering disciplines, including structural dynamics, hydrodynamics, or control engineering
• Solid knowledge of control theory, including state-space modelling, model-based control, or reinforcement learning
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB, with experience in modelling and simulation of dynamic systems
• Experience with AI and data-driven methods, such as machine learning, reinforcement learning, multi-agent systems, foundation models, or agentic AI applied to engineering problems
• Experience with experimental work or data analysis, including sensor data processing, model validation, or analysis of laboratory or field data
• Demonstrated research ability, e.g. through publications, thesis work, or technical reports
• Relevant industry or applied research experience, particularly in offshore, maritime, or digital twin applications

Personal characteristics

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

• Work independently and in a structured way, as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team
• Communicate effectively and 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
• Analyse 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
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Favourable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

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.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,- 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 the doctoral work in addition to 4 months/year of teaching assistance.

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 throughout 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 be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

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.

The city of Trondheim

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech 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.

Department of Marine Technology

We develop methods and technology related to the blue economy: oil and gas extraction at sea, ship technology and the equipment industry, fisheries and aquaculture. We also have a strong commitment to the development of sustainable solutions for offshore renewable energy, coastal infrastructure, and marine robotics. Marine technology helps to solve major global challenges related to the environment, climate, energy, food and efficient transport. The Department of Marine Technology is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

Questions About The Position

Maria Hjertner

HR Advisor

[e-mail]