PhD Research Fellow in Digital Twin of Offshore Wind Operation and Maintenance, Haugesund

PhD Research Fellow in Digital Twin of Offshore Wind Operation and Maintenance

The Department of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, has a vacancy for a research fellow (PhD position) in Unmanned Surface Vehicles Integration in Offshore Wind for Zero Emission Inspection, Operation & Maintenance Using Digital Twin for a period of 3 years with a possible extension to 4 years.

The PhD research fellow will be part of the PhD programme in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Sensor Networks and Engineering Computing (https://www.hvl.no/en/research/phd-programmes/phd-programme-in-computer-science/) (https://www.hvl.no/en/research/phd-programmes/phd-programme-in-computer-science/)). The research programme in Computer Science currently includes 20 professors and associate professors, more than 30 PhD and post-doctoral fellows, and a large number of master's students. 

About the PhD project:

Traditional maritime operations, especially in Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) inspection and maintenance, face significant challenges, including high costs, personnel safety risks, and environmental concerns due to reliance on manual processes and manned vehicles. These methods also contribute to substantial carbon emissions. Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) are emerging as transformative tools, providing automated or remotely operated solutions for offshore Survey, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair (SIMR), and deliver accurate and cost-effective decision-making data. 

However, to fully integrate USVs into OWF operations, challenges such as regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, human-machine collaboration, and system coordination must be addressed.

 

This project aims to develop a Digital Twin (DT) framework for the integration of USVs into OWFs, enabling advanced system analysis and decision support. The DT serves as a virtual representation of physical assets, operational tasks, and resources, facilitating real-time monitoring, proactive maintenance, and optimization of offshore operations. Key components of the DT include an Input Data Management Module (IDMM) for collecting and processing heterogeneous data, a Discrete Event Simulation (DES) model for system-level analysis and predictive simulations, and an AI-enhanced optimization layer for scenario planning. The DT will address challenges such as nonlinear system interactions, data heterogeneity, and limited reliability data for USVs. It also features a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) to visualize data, monitor performance, and plan efficient maintenance tasks, ultimately contributing to improved operational efficiency and reduced downtime in OWFs.

 

The PhD candidate will develop a comprehensive Digital Twin (DT) framework that integrates AI-based optimization techniques and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) into a dynamic maritime operation platform. A secondary objective will involve designing methods to enhance the trustworthiness of the system by addressing challenges such as data integration, reliability, and cybersecurity. Additionally, the candidate will develop tools to analyse and quantify key performance metrics, including operational efficiency, energy consumption, system resilience, and decision-making accuracy.

 

Research environment

 

The computer science research environment at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences  has a strong focus on use-inspired and applied research, and on ICT as an enabling technology. The research environment has cooperation with many national and international research groups, and with national and regional industry partners. The research programme includes the research themes of software engineering, engineering computing, sensor networks and measurement technologies, grid computing and physics data analysis, machine learning, and interactive and collaborative systems. 

The prospective PhD candidate will work in close cooperation with staff, current PhD candidates and master students in the Robotics research group at HVL (https://www.hvl.no/en/research/group/robotics/ (https://www.hvl.no/en/research/group/robotics/)) and Robotics and Automation at Aalborg university (https://vbn.aau.dk/en/organisations/robotics-and-automation/persons/ (https://vbn.aau.dk/en/organisations/robotics-and-automation/persons/)), which have a strong track record in different robotics and automation in offshore industry, agriculture, industrial automation and healthcare. 

 

PhD research fellows receive an annual work expense funding which can be used for conference participation, research visits, and equipment. The place of employment is campus Haugesund. However, the candidate is expected to spend couple of months in Aalborg in collaboration with our partner university. 

Qualifications:

The PhD research fellow must hold a master's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, mechatronics or in a closely related field. Candidates who have submitted a master's thesis (but who has not yet been awarded a master's degree) may also qualify for the position provided that the master`s degree is awarded within 4 weeks after the application deadline. A solid background in non-linear system modelling, programming experience in (eg. C++, Matlab, Python) and digital twins will be considered an advantage when candidates are ranked. Candidates already holding a PhD within this field are not eligible for this position.

 

In addition to the required educational and scientific background, the following criteria will be evaluated: competence and grades on completed course work, quality of the master's thesis (excellent grade, equivalent of grade B or better on the ECTS grading system), publications (if any), research and teaching experience, practical software engineering skills and experience. A possible outline of a research plan for a potential PhD project will also be taken into account.

 

The candidate must be diligent and display the ability to work independently, supplemented with regular guidance, and is expected to carry out high-quality research and to publish the results in international workshops, conferences, and journals.

 

The PhD research fellow must enrol in the PhD programme in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Sensor Networks and Engineering Computing at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, and must meet the formal admission requirements for admission into the PhD programme. The position is announced for a period of 3 years. During the first year of appointment, it will be possible to apply for an extension to 4 years, with 25% of the 4-year period to be designated to duties such as teaching, development and administrative tasks. The employment period may be reduced if the successful applicant has held previous employment as a research fellow. 

 

The PhD candidate will be assigned two academic supervisor(s) at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. An application for enrolment should first be submitted after an appointment is made and the supervisor(s) will help with this procedure. The candidate must be enrolled as a PhD student within 3 months from the start of the employment.

 

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation might be applied in the processing of the applications.

Application procedure:

Applications will be evaluated by an expert panel of three members.

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job" (“Søk stillingen").

The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:

• Master Thesis
• Copies of selected academic publications (no more than 5)
• A CV with a complete list of academic publications
• Diplomas and certificates

Applicants should indicate which publications or parts of publications should be given special consideration in the evaluation. If the documents submitted are not in a Scandinavian language or in English, the applicants must submit certified translations of these. The transcripts must specify the topics, the course works, and the grades at the bachelor`s and master`s degree levels. 

Applicants with a degree from a country other than Norway, need to attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcripts of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, in addition to the original documents, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant encloses a recognition document showing that their degree is equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD. You can read more about applying for recognition of foreign higher education here. (https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway/recognition-of-foreign-higher-education-bachelor-master-and-phd)

The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) offers an automatic recognition document for certain degrees from selected countries. If the applicant's degree is covered by the automatic recognition, it will be sufficient to attach this document. Read more about automatic recognition here. (https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway/recognition-of-foreign-higher-education-bachelor-master-and-phd/automatic-recognition-a-quicker-alternative)

As the HK-dir application process may take some time it is recommended to apply to HK-dir as soon as possible. If you have not received a recognition document from HK- dir within the  application deadline, please enclose documentation from HK-dir showing that they have received your application.

Applicants should note that the evaluation will be based on the documentation submitted electronically via Jobbnorge within the submission deadline. The applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the documentation is submitted before the closing date. It is of utmost importance that all publications to be considered in the evaluation are uploaded as an attachment with the application, since these are sent electronically to the expert panel. Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at the college.

Salary:

• Good occupational pension, insurance and loan schemes from The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Exciting academic environment with the possibility of competence enhancement and development
• Opportunities for training within the working hours 

The Research Fellow position is compensated according to position code 1017 Research Fellow.

There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no (http://www.spk.no) for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

General information:

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State employees Law in Norway ("Lov om statens ansatte)". Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and gender composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.

Short-listed applicants will be called in for an interview.

Employed on condition that you are granted a work and residence permit (must be considered individually).

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. 

Inclusion, challenging norms, collaboration

Homepage (http://www.hvl.no)

https://www.hvl.no/en/research/phd-programmes/phd-programme-in-computer-science/ (https://www.hvl.no/en/research/phd-programmes/phd-programme-in-computer-science/)

https://www.hvl.no/en/research/group/software-engineering/ (https://www.hvl.no/en/research/group/software-engineering/)