A PhD position is available at the Department of Technology and Safety (ITS), UiT The Arctic University of Norway, for candidates interested in the human factors associated with remotely operated and autonomous maritime vessels. This position offers the opportunity to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in this rapidly advancing domain.
ITS is organized under the Faculty of Science and Technology and is located at three campuses: Tromsø, Bardufoss, and Harstad. The department has approximately 90 employees and 500 students. It offers undergraduate, master, and PhD programs, as well as research in nautical science, aviation, societal safety, environment, and international preparedness.
The position is for three years, aiming to complete research training to the doctoral level. Employment requires admission to the PhD program, which begins upon employment. The candidate must also obtain admission into the National Joint PhD Program in Nautical Operations and fulfill all degree requirements.
The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø, and the candidate must be able to start within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.
This PhD position is funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) through the project titled “Reframing Education and Competence Model for Remote Maritime Operations (REFRAME).” The project explores digitalization and remotely controlled ship operations' effects on maritime competence, skill needs, training paradigms, and pedagogical frameworks.
As a PhD candidate, you will conduct research aligned with these objectives, potentially investigating Human-Machine Interaction (HMI), autonomy implications, and evolving roles and skills of maritime professionals. You will collaborate on research design, data collection, analysis, co-author scientific papers, and present at conferences.
Applicants must submit a project description (max 5 pages) outlining the research topic, questions, rationale, methodologies, and how it aligns with the project objectives. This will be developed with your supervisor.
For further information, contact project manager Tae-eun Kim at tae.e.kim@uit.no.
The position requires a master's degree or equivalent in:
Essential qualifications include knowledge of maritime operations and equipment, effective communication skills, ability to work in multicultural teams, and a strong academic record (B grade or better). Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Norwegian or Scandinavian languages is advantageous. Navigation experience and a deck officer CoC are beneficial.
We value motivation, collaboration skills, good communication, and a positive attitude towards contributing to a good working environment.
You must qualify for admission to the National Joint PhD Program in Nautical Operations and participate in organized doctoral studies during employment. Admission typically requires a bachelor's and master's degree (or equivalent), with a minimum grade of B (3.5). For foreign degrees, evaluation against Norwegian standards is necessary.
UiT promotes equality, gender balance, and diversity. Applicants with disabilities, CV gaps, or immigrant backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and accommodations will be made if needed.
Your application must include a motivation letter, CV, diplomas, transcripts, grading explanation, language proficiency documentation, references, academic works, and a project description (max 5 pages). All documents should be in English or Scandinavian languages. Applications are submitted via Jobbnorge by the deadline.
The appointment follows Norwegian regulations. The position is subject to export control laws. The salary follows the State salary scale, with a 2% pension contribution. The employment may be shortened if parts of the research training are already completed. Personal data will be processed according to privacy laws.
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