PhD Candidate in Robotics and Intelligent Mechatronic Systems for Automated In Vitro Platforms

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); Trondheim; On-site; NOK 580,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme

Pension Fund SPK

Norwegian language training

Open and inclusive working environment

Job summary

NTNU, in collaboration with Vitroscope AS and SINTEF, seeks a PhD Candidate to develop an AI-enabled automated platform for 96 parallel cell-culture experiments. The work spans robotics, mechatronics, sensors, cloud software, and analytics, with a focus on scalable, automated experimental systems.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team, contribute to teaching, and collaborate with industrial partners while pursuing doctoral education in engineering.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or related field with a major independent project (≥30 ECTS).
• Strong academic record (average grade B or better on NTNU scale) or equivalent; exceptional candidates may be considered with strong evidence.
• Experience in robotics, mechatronics, sensors, data acquisition, and mechanical design recommended.
• Programming and software development experience, especially Python-based, with hardware interfacing.

Responsibilities

• Complete doctoral education leading to a PhD degree.
• Conduct research in robotics, mechatronics, and product development.
• Design and prototype robotic/mechatronic systems for automated handling and monitoring of experiments.
• Develop hardware–software solutions with sensors, actuators, controllers, and cloud data acquisition.
• Contribute to real-time monitoring and automated decision support; publish in journals and conferences.
• Collaborate with industrial and research partners; participate in teaching and supervision.

Skills

Robotics

Mechatronics

Sensor integration

Mechanical design

Python programming

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics/Robotics

Major independent project (≥30 ECTS)

Tools

CAD tools

Job description

About The Position

Are you motivated to develop next-generation research infrastructure at the intersection of robotics, mechatronics, sensor systems, and life science technology?
We have a vacancy for a PhD Candidate at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NTNU, connected to the industrial research project vitro.scale in collaboration with Vitroscope AS and SINTEF. The project aims to develop an automated high-throughput platform for physiologically relevant cell research by combining robotics, microfluidics, advanced sensors, cloud-connected software, and artificial intelligence.
The successful candidate will become part of a multidisciplinary environment with expertise in product development, robotics, automation, digitalization, and biomedical technologies. The PhD will contribute directly to the development of technologies that may accelerate drug discovery, personalized medicine, and the transition toward advanced animal-free testing methods.
Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About The Project

The PhD position is funded through the Research Council of Norway Innovation Project vitro.scale, led by Vitroscope AS in collaboration with SINTEF and NTNU. The project aims to develop an AI-enabled automated platform capable of operating and monitoring 96 parallel cell-culture experiments under precisely controlled environmental conditions. The system integrates robotics, automated sample handling, sensor networks, imaging systems, cloud computing, and machine-learning-based analytics.
The research work at NTNU will focus particularly on automation, robotics, mechatronic design, sensor integration, and intelligent experimental systems required for scalable operation of the platform.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education leading to a PhD degree
• Conduct high-quality research within robotics, mechatronics, and product development
• Design, prototype, and experimentally validate robotic and mechatronic systems for automated handling, positioning, and monitoring of biological experiments
• Develop integrated hardware-software solutions combining sensors, actuators, control systems, and cloud-based data acquisition
• Contribute to the development of real-time monitoring and automated decision-support systems
• Publish results in international scientific journals and conferences
• Participate in national and international research activities
• Contribute to teaching and supervision activities in relevant courses
• Collaborate closely with industrial and research partners

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 Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Engineering Cybernetics, Product Development, Industrial Design Engineering, or a closely related discipline.. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis.
• 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.
• Experience in at least two of the following areas:
  • Robotics and automation
  • Mechatronics and embedded systems
  • Experience with sensor integration, calibration, experimental measurement systems, and automated data acquisition
  • Mechanical design and prototyping
  • Experience designing, prototyping, assembling, and validating mechatronic systems.
  • Experimental methods and testing
  • Programming and software development, specifically with Python-based engineering software development and hardware interfacing.
• Excellent oral and written English skills
• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct engineering projects
• Demonstrated experience taking engineering systems from concept through design, manufacturing, assembly, calibration, testing, and validation

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred Selection Criteria

• Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas will be preferred:
  • Python-based software development
  • Real-time data acquisition and sensor systems
  • Arduino, C/C++, embedded programming, and hardware control
  • Motion-control systems, stepper motors, encoders, and automation equipment
  • Mechanical design using CAD tools
  • Finite-element analysis and simulation
  • Rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing
  • Signal processing and data analytics, control systems
  • Machine learning or computer vision
  • Product development in multidisciplinary engineering teams. Responsibility teams
  • Exposure to globally leading research environments
  • Norwegian language skills mother tongue or level 3
  • Particular emphasis will be placed on demonstrated ability to integrate software, electronics, sensors, and mechanical systems into functioning prototypes

Personal characteristics

• Works independently and takes initiative
• Is structured and able to plan long-term research activities
• Has strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Enjoys hands-on experimental work and prototype development
• Communicates effectively and collaborates well in multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrates creativity, curiosity, and motivation for research

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
• 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

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 through out the period of employment.
The position is conditional on external funding from Vitroscale AS.
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.

Application deadline

01.10.2026

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Martin Steinert, e-mail: [e-mail].

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

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.

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 Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

We educate graduates who can create new products, operate and maintain products, and manage projects. The Department has a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. We conduct wide-ranging research in fields such as technology, energy, product quality and development, and productivity. The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.