PhD research fellow in a decision-support system for disruptions in port systems

About the position

The Faculty of Technology, Natural and Maritime Sciences has, with effect from 01.02.2025, a vacancy for a 100% position as PhD Research Fellow in a decision-support system for disruptions in port systems.

The position is at the Department of Maritime Operations and the immediate superior is the Head of Department. The main place of work is at Vestfold Campus in Horten.

The appointment is for a term of three years with no teaching obligations, alternatively for a period of four years with 25 % teaching obligations. There is a premise for employment that the PhD Research Fellow is enrolled in USN’s PhD-program in Nautical Operations within three months of accession in the position.

About the PhD-project

The focus of the doctoral project is the application and development of a model for decision-making in extreme weather events in a port system. Data analytics tools, analytical modules and techniques supporting decision-making may also be relevant. The PhD fellow will be working on topics related to the SAFARI project.

The goal of the SAFARI's project is to develop a generic digital platform for resilient port infrastructure, connected to large port communities facing extreme weather events with emergency management modules fed by operational, maintenance and analytical modules.

The doctoral project focuses on the development of a model where the problem is to decide wheater a ship should call a port where it should load and/or unload bases on the disruption to the port and the sea. At the same time, the cargo must be distributed to and from the port system on the capacity that is available, which is continuously becoming less and less as time goes on, approaching the peak of the forecasted disruption. The disruptive part of the model is extreme weather conditions, and we will integrate this weather data from a third party such as a meterological institute.

Due to the dynamics of the weather conditions over a forcasted period, there will also be a dynamic in terms of available capacity, and the price of getting goods delivered to and from the port system.

It is this problem that must be solved and visualised via a digital model. The dynamic optimization model must take into account the forecasted situation in the port, generate a schedule for which cargo is to be loaded and unloaded at the port terminal and which mode of transport capacity is to be used for in-land transport, while the weather phenomenon takes place. The focus of the model should be on the disruptions to the ports and their affected capacity, though the model should be able to be used by the ships to evaluate the choice of calling to the port.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in Maritime/Shipping Management, Operations Research/Computer Science, Engeneering or equivalent with documented programming and modeling capability and relevant research methodology with average grae B or higher. Highly qualified candidates with other relevant educational backgrounds may be concidered.

  The degree must be accomplished before commencement date.

• Applicants with MSc degrees from institutions outside Europe are expected to document English language profiency. Candidates must have excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Good command of research methods and/or data analytics. Knowledge of optimization methods and/or machine learning is expected.

It is a requirement that the successful applicant is granted admission to the university’s doctoral programme in Nautical Operations within three months of accession in the position. For admission to the Programme the wighted average grade is B or higher is usually required.

Preferred selection criteria

• Research and project work experience and publications record is desireable.

Personal characteristics

• Passionate about research and have a high level of curiosity and motivation to learn.
• Able to work independently and in a team environment.
• Have good communication skills.
• Motivated to deliver research results through publications and presentations at international conferences.
• Well organized and have a high level of personel responsibility.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
• A good social environment
• Attractive welfare benefits in the State Pension Plan
• Opportunity for physical activities within working hours

Salary

PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 532 200 a year.

A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.

Other information

• The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant (https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2006-01-31-102).
• The Academic Appointments Board for PhD Research Fellowships is responsible for the appointment. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. The candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to an interview.
• The successful candidate is obliged to participate in all common activities relating to the PhD education such as course work, seminars, and other events. These activities take place in campus Vestfold.
• The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that approved work permit is a prerequisite for the employment.
• According to USN human resources policy, it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. The University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons with background as immigrant.
• The University contributes to to the Inkluderingsdugnaden (a volutary scheme to promote inclusion), and we encourage qualified applicants with disabilities to apply for the post. The University will facilitate the workplace for employees with disabilities.
• Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.

Contact information

For more information about the position, please contact:

Prof. Kenn Steger-Jensen, phone +45 24205094, kes@usn.no

Head of department Tor-Inge Myklebust Lie,phone +47 35575185, tor-inge.lie@usn.no

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:

HR Advisor Kari L. Foss-Pedersen, kari.foss-pedersen@usn.no

How to apply

The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side – “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post).

The following documents shall be attached to the online application:

• Transcripts and diplomas of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS)

  If your higher education is from a university outside of Norway, we require it to be recognized by the Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education and Skills. You must apply for recognition before the application deadline for this position expires. Add a receipt on your application or recognition when applying. The recognition must be sent to us and is a requirement for behing hired.

• A copy of Master thesis
• Other relevant certificates (if applicable, must be specified)
• A maximum 5 page project description related to the topic described for the position
• A 1 page motivation letter
• Any scientific publications and a list of these
• Contact information of three references

If applicable, the following documents shall be submitted no later than one week before interview take place:

• Valid documentation of English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS): https://www.usn.no/english/academics/how-to-apply/full-degree-programs-taught-in-english/language-requirements-for-master/

Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translation must be certified.

The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline.

The University has been awarded a Charter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.