PhD Candidate in Counter-Drone Systems (C-UAS)

Arbeidsplassen; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 496,000 - 606,000; Full time

Job summary

NTNU is inviting applications for a PhD Candidate position in Counter-Drone Systems (C-UAS) in Trondheim. The project will study C-UAS concepts and develop testable solutions tailored to Norwegian needs, leveraging the UAV-lab's capabilities in drone detection and autonomous systems.

The successful candidate will complete doctoral education, contribute to publications, and participate in international conferences, with collaboration across government agencies and industry.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field with 120 credits at master's level, documented before start date.
• Strong academic record with B or better on NTNU scale, or equivalent.
• Admission to the faculty's Doctoral Program is required.
• Practical experience with aerial drone systems, aircraft or air defense systems.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral education until earning a doctorate.
• Carry out high-quality research within the described framework.
• Publish academic works and disseminate popular science.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences or research stays.

Skills

Control engineering

Cybernetics

Aerospace engineering

Electronic systems

Mechatronics

Education

Master's degree in related field (5-year Norwegian program)

Job description

PhD Candidate in Counter-Drone Systems (C-UAS)

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Stillingstittel PhD Candidate in Counter-Drone Systems (C-UAS)

NTNU is a broad-based university with atechnical-scientific profile and a focusin 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.

Drones are increasingly considered as a security threat to society, including civilian critical infrastructure. Counter-drone systems must monitor the airspace as an integral part of a multi-layered air defense system, with functionality for detection, tracking and mitigating drone threats. Defending critical infrastructure such as railroads, bridges, power plants, power lines, airports, harbors, water supplies and more is challenging in a large country with complex geography and harsh climate. The PhD project will therefore study C-UAS concepts and contribute to develop and test solutions that are specially targeting Norwegian needs.

The UAV-lab at NTNU has been one of the prime research environments for advanced aerial drone operations with 15 years of experience developing technology for drone autonomy and beyond-line-of-sight operations. The project will give you an opportunity to do conceptual and practical research using drone detection systems, interceptor drones and other technologies driven by advanced sensors, data communication systems, and artificial intelligence.

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.

About the project

The PhD position is internally funded by NTNU. The research will exploit collaboration with governmental agencies and industry.

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 international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in control engineering, cybernetics, aerospace engineering, electronic systems, mechatronics, 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 1. September 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 toNTNU'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.
• Practical experience with development or use of aerial drone systems, aircraft or air defense systems.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: systems engineering, systems simulation, relevant electronic systems, guidance, navigation and control systems.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian/Scandinavian equivalentlevel A2.

Personal characteristics

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

• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject
• Communicate well in writing and orally

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
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues

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 ofmeasures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be from 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 up to 12 months of career promotion work for the right candidate.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD program in inEngineering Cybernetics within three monthsof your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral program 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.

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 completed.
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• Names and contact information of minimum two 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 . 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 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 withcurrent legislation . You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

Contact: Professor Tor Arne Johansen, [e-mail] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Berit Dahl, e-mail:[e-mail]

Om bedriften

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

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

Department of Engineering Cybernetics (ITK)