PhD Candidate in AI for Accelerated Concept and Tender-Phase Ship Design
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU)
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
NTNU in Ålesund invites applications for a PhD Candidate position focused on AI methods to accelerate concept evaluation and tender preparation in marine engineering and ship design. The project includes rapid estimation, data transformation, knowledge graphs and AI-assisted design-space exploration.
The successful candidate will develop AI-based design tools, structure data for AI use, and collaborate with industrial partners within the Norwegian Maritime AI Center.
Qualifications
- Must meet admission to NTNU PhD programme (Section 6-1).
- Master's degree in mechanical/mechatronic/related field with a major project (≈ 30 ECTS).
- Average grade on Master studies equals or exceeds NTNU's B or better grading.
- Affinity with programming and AI tools; interest in applied computational tools.
Responsibilities
- Take part in the mandatory PhD education to obtain a doctorate.
- Develop AI applied to the maritime domain with industry cooperation.
- Collaborate within the research team and with industrial partners.
- Publish results in recognized journals and present at international conferences.
- Engage in dissemination activities for academia and industry.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
AI is disrupting how we approach design and engineering. This PhD position is about developing AI methods for reducing the time required for concept evaluation and tender preparation in marine engineering and ship design through rapid estimation, automated data transformation, knowledge graphs and AI-assisted design-space exploration.
We are looking for a PhD candidate who wants to explore and develop AI-based methods for early-stage concept exploration in marine and ship design. The position will develop methods that make concept design faster and better informed: methods that generate and explore design concepts, estimate their performance quickly, and learn from full-scale data. The focus is on early-stage concept exploration and on methods that apply across marine vessels, from ships to uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). A case study will be linked to Fjordlab, part of the Norwegian Ocean Technology Center.
- AI-based design tools for generating and exploring marine design concepts.
- How to structure data for effective use in AI design tools.
- Study how designers and engineers use such tools, and how they affect companies.
- How full-scale data can drive new concept development.
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. You will be part of a research environment with several related PhD positions in the Norwegian Maritime AI Centre at NTNU.
Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.
The PhD project will be part of the Norwegian Maritime AI Center that aims to accelerate operationalization of AI in the maritime value chains. The center shall position the maritime sector for accelerated and successful use of AI. The demand for safe and sustainable maritime activities, as well as the shortage of crew and engineers, are key drivers for change in the maritime sector. At the same time, there is a pull for growth, increased efficiency and profitability, while managing volatility in the markets. Moreover, the sector is critically important for global supply chains and security in a tense geopolitical situation. To demonstrate and prototype maritime AI solutions, the center will address a diverse and impactful set of use cases: Logistics, shipping and business transactions; Ship design and construction; Voyage planning and optimization; Condition monitoring and maintenance; Crew training; Maritime traffic and ship surveillance; Decarbonization and energy management; Autonomous ships and remote control.
The research partners are the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Oslo, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, Norwegian Mapping Authority, MET and SINTEF Nordvest. There are about 30 user partners from the maritime sector, in addition to hundreds of members of the Maritime Forum, Blue Maritime, Ocean Autonomy, and Maritime CleanTech clusters. The center will be a hub, orchestrating the interfaces with research partners and user partners to facilitate collaboration, knowledge creation, dissemination, innovation, and sharing of knowledge.
The Norwegian Maritime AI Center is funded by the Research Council of Norway and the partners for the period 2026-2030. There will be approximately 25 doctoral scholarships and some postdoc positions. More information can be found here: https://www.ntnu.edu/mai
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.
- Take part in the mandatory PhD research education program obtaining a doctorate
- Develop research and AI applied to the Maritime Domain, with strong cooperation with the industrial partners
- Collaborate effectively within the research team, remaining open to constructive feedback throughout the research process
- Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
- Participate actively in discussion with the industrial partners
- Participate in activities in the Maritime AI center
- Participate in relevant dissemination activities for the academia and industry
- Conduct independent research and publish the result in recognized scientific journals and present them at international conferences
Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.
- You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme, see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
- You must have a relevant Master's degree in mechanical engineering, product design, marine engineering, naval architecture or a closely related field or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis. Degrees from other engineering disciplines such as computer science or mechatronics are also welcome to apply.
- Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
- You must have a strong and relevant 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 academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.
- Affinity with programming, AI-related tools and a desire to work with the development of applied computational tools
- Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English
- Experience applying machine learning or generative AI to engineering design problems.
- Experience with CAD and parametric modelling.
- Experience with simulation, sensors, data acquisition or field testing.
- Experience with marine vessels, USVs or other marine engineering systems.
- Interest in design methodology and how engineers reason and make decisions.
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, also when the path is unclear
- Show curiosity and enjoy combining building things with writing code.
- Present and discuss your research with other engineers, researchers and industry partners
- Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
- Enjoy working both in the lab and in the field, including tests at sea.
- 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.
- 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
- Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
- 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 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.
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 the doctoral work.
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.
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.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.
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.
Øystein Bjelland
Associate Professor
oystein.bjelland@ntnu.no
Lara Bromann
HR and PhD Coordinator
lara.bromann@ntnu.no
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