PhD Candidate in AI-driven smart material characterisation and modelling

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme

Pension benefits (SPK)

Career guidance

Job summary

NTNU in Trondheim invites applications for a PhD Candidate position focused on AI-driven smart material characterisation and modelling within offshore structures. The role combines experimental work, physics-informed modelling, and machine learning to develop predictive material models for adaptive marine infrastructure.

The successful candidate will work in a leading, international research environment, contribute to academic publications, and participate in cross-disciplinary AIMOS activities

Qualifications

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, computer science, or equivalent; 120 credits at master's level.
• Strong English skills (written and spoken).
• Admission to NTNU's doctoral program.
• Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must present language tests (TOEFL/IELTS/CAE/CPE).

Responsibilities

• Take courses totaling at least 30 ECTS.
• Carry out high-quality research as described for AIMOS.
• Publish Academic work and disseminate popular science.
• Collaborate with AIMOS PhD candidates on fluid-structure interaction and AI.
• Participate in the SIMLab research group.
• Be flexible with duties as the project evolves.

Skills

Python programming

Machine learning

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Master's degree in mechanical engineering or computer science

Five-year Norwegian master's path (120 credits)

Admission to doctoral program requirements

Tools

Finite-element analysis

Job description

PhD Candidate in AI-driven smart material characterisation and modelling

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.

About the position

Would you like to work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, material science, and offshore engineering, contributing to the development of the next generation of intelligent and adaptive offshore structures? The Department of Structural Engineering at NTNU has a vacancy for a PhD Candidate in AI-driven smart material characterisation and modelling. 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.

The PhD project focuses on the experimental characterisation and computational modelling of smart materials with potential applications in adaptive offshore structures. These materials offer new opportunities for developing structural systems capable of actively responding to changing environmental and operational conditions. A central challenge is to understand and predict their mechanical behaviour, including stiffness variations, response times, and long-term durability, while developing computationally efficient models suitable for structural simulations. The candidate will combine experimental investigations, physics-informed modelling, and artificial intelligence to establish predictive material models and evaluate the feasibility of smart-material-based actuation in offshore structures. The position offers the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of material mechanics, artificial intelligence, and offshore engineering, contributing to the development of more adaptive and resilient marine infrastructure.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

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
• Collaborate with other PhD candidates in AIMOS project, working with fluid-structure interaction and agentic AI.
• Participate in the SIMLab research group at the department
• Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in 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 and no later than 01.01.2027.
• 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.
• The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Strong background in mechanical, or structural engineering disciplines, including material mechanics
• Solid knowledge of finite-element analyses, computational plasticity
• Strong programming skills in Python
• Experience with AI and data-driven methods, such as machine learning applied to engineering problems
• Experience with experimental work or data analysis

Personal characteristics

• Work independently and in structured way, as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Have good communication skills, able to 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

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
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable 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 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 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 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.

We ask you to follow the guidelines below. 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:

• 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
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees

Additional information: 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 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 have any questions about the position, please contact associate professor David Morin, email [e-mail].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant June Hovde, e-mail: [e-mail].

Application deadline: 20.11.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 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.