PhD Candidate in Consequences of Drone Attacks

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

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme

Open and inclusive working environment

Employee benefits

Job summary

NTNU invites applications for a PhD Candidate position in Consequences of Drone Attacks in the Department of Structural Engineering, located in Trondheim. The project centers on testing, modelling and simulation of detonating drones and their impact on people, buildings and critical infrastructure using advanced numerical methods and dataset-driven validation.

The successful candidate will pursue doctoral education, contribute to SIMLab, publish results, and engage in international

Qualifications

• Must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field with a major independent project (min 30 ECTS).
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• Strong background in solid mechanics and numerical modeling.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral education and obtain a doctorate.
• Carry out high-quality research within the described framework.
• Publish academic papers and engage in popular science dissemination.
• Participate in the SIMLab research group and international activities.
• Contribute to teaching and other career-promoting work as appropriate.

Skills

Solid mechanics

Non-linear finite element analysis

Optical measurements

Python

Fortran

CUDA

Fluid mechanics

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in structural/mechanical/computational mechanics

Job description

PhD Candidate in Consequences of Drone Attacks

The Department of Structural Engineering has a vacancy for a

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, 8,6000 employees and 44,000 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

A key problem associated with malicious drone use in conflict relates to contact charges and near-field explosions, as well as fragments generated by detonating drones, which may cause severe damage to people, buildings, and critical infrastructure even with relatively small amounts of energy. In this PhD project, testing, modelling, and simulation of detonating drones are central.

Such issues require advanced numerical models, since both the detonation process and the fragmentation of the drone must be described using accurate and efficient mathematical models, thereby challenging existing theory. The accuracy of the modelling can be improved by combining better datasets with different numerical methods and by validating the results at multiple levels. This involves using quality-assured and representative input data, conducting systematic sensitivity analyses, and calibrating models against controlled reference data.

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 Professor Tore Børvik.

About the project

The position is part of the project “Managing drone threats to critical infrastructure” as one of four PhD candidates.

A resilient society depends on safe and robust critical infrastructure, including the ability to withstand drone attacks. The war in Europe and hybrid threats have shown that such systems can be deliberately targeted using low-cost, commercially available technology, and the Government’s drone strategy identifies reducing vulnerability to hostile use of drones as the greatest and most urgent challenge.

As threats and technology evolve rapidly, new uses of drones must be met quickly with adapted countermeasures.

The project aims to contribute to a more resilient society by developing knowledge and technological solutions to understand, manage and respond to drone threats and attacks against critical infrastructure.

The project is part of a larger effort of four projects funded by NTNU on A More Resilient Society.

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 research group SIMLab
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Teaching and other career promoting work depending on qualifications
• Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• 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 structural engineering, mechanical engineering, or computational mechanics. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis
• Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than July1st2027.
• 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.
• You must be fluent in spoken and written English.
• The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience in solid mechanics and non-linear finite element analysis.
• Experience in optical measurements related to experimental work.
• Some experience in modelling of extreme loads.
• Some experience in programming (Python, Fortran, CUDA or similar).
• Some experience in fluid mechanics.
• The research activity may lead to using sensitive information or insights into critical infrastructure that is subject to specific security restrictions. Restrictions also include obtaining a formal security clearance. During the employment period candidates must voluntarily submit to an assessment for a security clearance according to the Norwegian Security Act. Non-Norwegian citizens can be granted clearance. However, candidates from non-EEA or non-NATO countries cannot expect to obtain a security clearance.

Personal characteristics

• 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‑foundated 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 NOK580000,- 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 for 3 years for the doctoral work, in addition to the possibility of up to 1 year of career promotion work for the right candidate. A minimum of three work years of the total term period must be dedicated to 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 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.

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:

• 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.
• 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.

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 have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Tore Børvik, email: [e-mail].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-consultant Kristine Grønvold, email: [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.