PhD Candidate in Human-centric future skills in manufacturing

This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the job

The rise of AI and automation as competitors to human labor poses a threat to the employability of workers, particularly those whose tasks are highly susceptible to automation. Recent studies indicate that generative AI could impact 19% of the workforce, with over 50% of their tasks being automated, potentially leading to job losses in specific sectors. Despite this anticipated outcome, the World Economic Forum reports that only 16% of manufacturers implementing AI in their production processes have achieved their AI-related targets. Nonetheless, technology and AI can also enhance and support workers in various tasks, as manual labor remains integral to many work systems.

The Production Management research group at NTNU’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is internationally recognized for its research in human-centered manufacturing and logistics. This PhD position aims to expand the group's focus on understanding human-technology complementarity. The core of digital manufacturing innovation lies in human-centered and human-driven manufacturing processes, encompassing technical aspects of human-machine interaction, upskilling, reskilling, work and business organization, as well as regulations and standards. This research is part of the EU SkillAIbility project, conducted in collaboration with research and policy partners.

Your research will contribute to the development of human-centric AI methodologies, focusing on the necessary skills and training. You will define criteria based on sociotechnical systems, incorporating human factors and technology applications, to develop methodologies for human-centric design. Additionally, you will assist in creating learning materials and teaching activities aimed at equipping workers with the skills needed for future factories. The Logistics 4.0 Lab at NTNU will provide various technologies, such as collaborative robots and AGVs, for research and demonstration purposes in learning activities.

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

Preferred starting date is December 2024 and no later than January 2025.

You will be supervised by Associate Professor Sotirios Panagou.

Duties of the position

• apply qualitative methodologies, to gain insight into the characteristics and challenges of human-AI and advanced technologies symbiosis and develop methodologies and knowledge on human-centric design.
• apply quantitative methodologies, to develop decision and design support for efficient system organization and implementation of human-centric design in manufacturing environments, for managerial and practitioner insights
• collaboration with European partners, policy makers and companies which will be identified during the first phase of the research
• take part in the mandatory PhD research education program
• conduct independent research and publish the results in recognized scientific journals and present them at international conferences

Required selection criteria

• you must have a professionally or academic relevant background in Industrial Engineering, Production Management, or Mechanical Engineering
• your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
• you must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed 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 program
• experience in using a combination of qualitative methodologies, within the fields of operations management (or relevant applications), with human-centric approach
• submitted research plan showing relevance, rigorousness and impact
• excellent written and oral English language skills

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant

Preferred selection criteria

• scandinavian or other European language (due to EU project partners, i.e. French, Spanish)
• previous experience from industry or research in human factors or human-centric approaches. This can be proven by attendance of study courses or other relevant activities (i.e. master thesis).
• knowledge of European and Norwegian manufacturing industrial procedures, regulations and policies

Personal characteristics

• ability to work independently as well as in teams
• good communication skills
• ability to work in close contact with companies and organizations
• hard working, with drive and determination
• modest, open to feedback and input from others
• respect, collaborate and negotiate with others

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

• CV and certificates
• research plan; 3-5 pages, where you show your capability to structure a 3-years research study with clear motivation, objectives, research questions, methodologies, expected results and dissemination plan. The combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies should be emphasized and motivated.
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• a copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• name and contact information of three references
• if you have publications or other relevant research work

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality.

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The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation 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 subsidized 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.

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As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself 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 reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Sotirios Panagou, email: sotirios.panagou@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Hedda Winnberg, e-mail: hedda.winnberg@ntnu.no.

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.

Application deadline: 30.09.2024