PhD candidate in Structure-preserving Generative Modeling

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

Benefits offered by this job

Pension benefits (SPK)

Language training (Norwegian)

Career guidance

Collaborative, international work env

Job summary

The PhD position will be hosted at the Department of Mathematical Sciences (IMF) at NTNU and is integrated with the aiD research centre, collaborating with over 60 industry partners.

You will complete doctoral education, conduct rigorous research in computational mathematics, publish results and share findings through conferences and outreach, while engaging with industrial case studies.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in mathematical sciences or equivalent with 120 credits at master's level.
• Master's degree must be documented before starting the position.
• Strong English communication, both oral and written.
• Solid foundation in mathematics, probabilities, optimization and programming.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral education up to the doctorate.
• Carry out high-quality research within the described framework.
• Publish academic work and contribute to popular science dissemination.
• Participate in the aiD centre and NTNU Energy initiative.
• Present at international conferences and undertake research stays if needed.
• Validate research with industrial use-cases.

Skills

Mathematics

Probabilities

Optimization

Programming

English proficiency

AI tools

Education

Master's degree in mathematical sciences

120-ECTS master’s track (five-year program)

Tools

Python

Julia

JAX

PyTorch

Job description

About The Position

This PhD position will be hosted at the Department of Mathematical Sciences (IMF), holding broad competences in both pure and applied mathematics. The position will be part of the research centre the Norwegian Center on AI for Decision (aiD) cooperating with over 60 companies.

About The Project

This position is funded by NTNU and will be integrated within the Norwegian Center on AI for Decision (aiD), benefiting from broad and divers expertise, and strong industrial connections. The project will have theoretical and algorithmic developments, software developments, and industrial case studies.

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 actively in the aiD centre, and in the NTNU strategic area Energy.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions.
• Validate the research on industrial use‑cases.

Required Selection Criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in mathematical sciences or equivalent, in particular computational mathematics, numerical analysis and experience with AI tools. 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.
• 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 maybe 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 Programme.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English.
• You need strong skills in mathematics, probabilities, optimization and programming.

Preferred Selection Criteria

• Experience in one or more of the following research areas is desirable: geometric numerical integration, structure preserving deep learning, stochastic differential equations, generative AI, numerical optimization.
• Strong programming skills (Python, Julia, Jax).
• Experience with numerical optimization is also desirable.

Personal characteristics

• Be interested in both theoretical understanding and practical application to real world problems.
• Work independently, but seeking feedback and reporting regularly.
• 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 a strong motivation for the subject.
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well‑founded conclusions.
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed.
• Enjoy collaborating, working with others.

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.
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK).
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2).

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.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

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, funded by the project. The department might in addition offer up to 12 months extension for career enhancing work, depending on qualifications and motivation.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Mathematical Sciences 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.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organisational 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 be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

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.

Application deadline: 30.09.2026.

The city of Trondheim

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 subsidised 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 Mathematical Sciences

We are Norway’s largest university environment in mathematical sciences.

The Department has a particular responsibility for all basis education in mathematical sciences for engineering and natural science students at NTNU. We focus on long‑term basic research and applied research at a high international level.

Our aim is to meet the society’s needs for mathematical and statistical expertise in business and public administration as well as in the research and education sector. The Department of Mathematical Sciences is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.