PhD Candidate: Robotics & Mechatronics for Automated Cells

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

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.