PhD Research Fellow in Systems Engineering – AI tools for early validation and development of complex integrated systems

University of South-Eastern Norway; Norway; Vor Ort; NOK 496.000 - 606.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) invites applications for a PhD research fellow in Systems Engineering at the Department of Science and Industry Systems, Campus Kongsberg. Start: May 2027. You will develop AI-supported design methods with digital twins to enable early validation of data-intensive systems.

The position is part of SFI CELECT, with industrial cases from CELECT partners. You will work in an interdisciplinary team, balancing coursework and research training, and may spend

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree with 120 ECTS in relevant engineering field.
• Understanding of AI/ML and data-driven engineering is preferred.
• Knowledge of systems architecting, model-based systems engineering, simulation or digital twins is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral English language skills.

Aufgaben

• Complete the doctoral programme up to degree within employment period.
• Conduct high-calibre research within the described framework.
• Publish academic work in journals and conferences.
• Collaborate with CELECT partners and industry in an industrial-as-laboratory setting.
• Present research outputs to CELECT and INRESCOS activities.
• Engage with CELECT doctoral team across NTNU, USN and UiA.

Kenntnisse

AI/ML interest

Scandinavian language (Norwegian B2)

English proficiency

Data-driven engineering

Systems architecting

Ausbildung

Master's degree in Systems Engineering / related

Jobbeschreibung

Department of Science and Industry Systems

Organisation/Company University of South-Eastern Norway Department Department of Science and Industry Systems Research Field Engineering » Systems engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Engineering » Electrical engineering Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 15 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo) Country Norway Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 1 May 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Do you want to contribute to the development of knowledge, insight and solutions that are relevant to society and working life today and in the future?

Some of tomorrow's most innovative systems are shaped by weather, ocean currents and thousands of design choices. How do you know that the design will work before it is built? Help engineers find out with the use of AI. We are looking for a PhD research fellow in Systems Engineering.

About the position

Do you want to help engineers design data-intensive systemswhere huge amounts of data and a vast design space make early decisions hard? Join us as a PhD research fellow at the Department of Science and Industry Systems, campus Kongsberg. Start: May 2027 (at the latest August 2027).

You will be part of SFI CELECT – the Centre for Effective Engineering and Learning in Complex Systems – whose vision is to do more with less, and faster. The centre, funded by the Research Council of Norway, brings together Norway's leading industrial companies and 30 PhD candidates across USN, NTNU and the University of Agder. You will also join the Industrial Research School in Complex Systems (INRESCOS).

Campus Kongsberg sits at the heart of one of Norway's strongest technology clusters, with world-leading companies in maritime, defence, aerospace, energy and subsea technology. Research and industry work side by side – giving you a unique network and strong career opportunities in industry or academia.

The position is a three-year educational position with pure organised research training. A four-year appointment with 25% career-advancing may be considered.

You must apply for and be admitted to the doctoral programme in Technology (Systems Engineering) within three months of starting. The programme includes courses of about six months (30 ECTS), an independent thesis, research dissemination, a trial lecture and a public defence.

Your main supervisor will be Professor Kristin Falk. Your workplace will be shared between campus Kongsberg and one or several CELECT partner companies: depending on the project, you will spend between 3 and 30 months located at a company's premises. You are expected to be present at campus or at the company during ordinary working hours.

About the doctoral project

The aim of this PhD is to develop AI-supported design methods and tools that enable early validation of complex, data-intensive integrated systems.

Data-intensive systems have huge design spaces, and their behaviour emerges from many interacting factors. Design and operation become intertwined – and today's methods catch problems too late.

In this PhD you will develop AI-supported design assistance: methods and tools, backed by digital twins, that help engineers explore large design spaces and validate systems early. Questions you could explore:

• How are data-intensive systems designed and validated in industry today?

• How can AI and digital twins support early design decisions?

You will help shape the final research questions together with your supervisors and industry partners.

The PhD project is part of SFI CELECT , headed by Professor Kristin Falk. Industrial cases will be selected among CELECT partners such as Kongsberg Maritime, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Siemens Energy, H. Henriksen, Umoe Mandal and cDynamics. Using industry as your laboratory, you will work alongside engineers and systems architects on real development projects.

This position is one of several related CELECT PhD positions at USN: it focuses on early design and validation, and complements positions on life-cycle management of long-living systems (PhD1.4), early systems integration in systems-of-systems (PhD1.5) and competence development for industry (PhD5.1).

You will be part of the Norwegian Industrial Systems Engineering Research Group ( NISE ).

Duties

• Complete the doctoral programme up to completion of the doctoral degree within the employment period
• Conduct high-calibre research within the framework described above
• Academic publications in high-quality journals and conferences
• Actively work with companies in an industry-as-laboratory environment, combining qualitative and quantitative research
• Report progress and deliver outputs to the CELECT centre
• Participate in the Norwegian Industrial Systems Engineering Research Group ( NISE )
• Active involvement in SFI CELECT's doctoral team across NTNU, USN and UiA, including the research school INRESCOS, and participation in common workshops, learning events and courses
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign research and educational institutions
• Be prepared for changes in your work tasks after appointment

All items are requirements, unless it is specified that they are preferred qualifications.

• Master's degree (120 ECTS credits) (or equivalent qualifications) within Systems Engineering, Systems Architecture, mechanical, electrical, marine or software engineering, cybernetics, mechatronics, computer science or a similar relevant engineering discipline
• Documented knowledge of relevant methodologies, both quantitative and/or qualitative, at master's level
• Weighted average grade of B or higher on the master's degree and thesis
• The master’s thesis must have been submitted for assessment by the application deadline for the position and approved before starting in the position
• Understanding of and interest in AI/ML and data-driven engineering is preferred
• Knowledge of systems architecting, model-based systems engineering, simulation or digital twins is preferred
• Industrial experience from development of complex or integrated systems (for example maritime, aerospace, manufacture) is preferred
• Proficiency in a Scandinavian language, or Norwegian at level B2, is preferred
• Excellent written and oral English language skills

In order to be able to complete a doctoral degree, you need to be able to:

• demonstrate motivation and potential for research in the field
• work independently, but also participate in teamwork
• work in a structured way, set goals, and make plans to achieve them
• present and discuss your research with other academics
• 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 area
• analyse data, assess different perspectives, and draw well-founded conclusions
• work collaboratively in an industrial setting with the CELECT partners
• be flexible and open to adjusting the project plan as necessary
• have the academic skills and personal qualities to be able to complete the doctoral programme within the employment period

When assessing applications, particular importance will be attached to:

• The personal qualities mentioned above

Qualifications and experience in systems architecting, systems modelling, digital twins or closely related fields

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT)
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic

The following applicants are exempt from the requirements listed above:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK or USA
• Applicants who have completed a master’s degree with English as the language of instruction in an EU or EEA country

Applicants from Norway can confirm their English language skills by submitting their upper secondary school diploma.

Requirements for proficiency in Norwegian

The position has no formal requirement for proficiency in Norwegian. Proficiency in a Scandinavian language, or Norwegian at level B2 ( language levels as defined by HK-dir ), is preferred.

Specific Requirements

Requirements regarding a licence and/or security clearance

• Organised research training in a large undertaking with an important social mission
• Careers advice and guidance throughout the entire doctoral programme. Together we will draw up a career plan that includes the skills and knowledge you will acquire
• An inclusive working environment with ambitious colleagues
• The opportunity to take Norwegian language courses
• Salary in accordance with the Norwegian State salary scale for PhD research fellows (position code 1017) NOK 550,800. In special cases, code 1378 may be used. Any further increases in pay grade will be based on length of service in the position
• Deductions will be made from your salary in order to make statutory contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund on your behalf

Selection process

General information

The Appointment Committee for Fellowship Positions (TUS) is the appointing authority for this position. Your competence for the position will be assessed by an expert committee. The expert committee will assess your competence for the position based on the documentation you have registered in Jobbnorge.

Based on the expert committee’s assessment, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview and to hold a trial lecture. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates.

Employment at USN is carried out in accordance with the principles set out in the Norwegian Civil Service Act , and the legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation, it will be rejected without further consideration.

As an employee of USN, you must at all times adapt to changes in the field and all organisational changes that are adopted.

Additional comments

Diversity

We believe that diversity is a resource in our work and learning environment. Different experiences and backgrounds contribute to different perspectives to better solutions to challenges that need to be solved.

We are committed to respecting each other's differences and will facilitate employees with disabilities. We take into account your needs and your situation in different phases of life.

The university aims to recruit more women to PhD positions within the field. If multiple applicants are considered to have equivalent qualifications, a woman will be given priority over a man.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) Country Norway State/Province Buskerud City Kongsberg Postal Code 3616 Street Hasbergsvei 36 Geofield

Contact

City Bø,Drammen,Horten, Kongsberg, Notodden,Porsgrunn, Ringerikeand Rauland Website https://www.usn.no/english/ Street . E-Mail [e-mail]