PhD Candidate in Modelling and optimization of small satellites operation

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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.

   

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About the job

We are searching for a creative, skilled, and ambitious candidate for our activities within small satellite technology. See www.ntnu.edu/smallsat and hypso.space for more information about the lab. 

Note that another closely related PhD-position at The Department of Electronic Systems, NTNU, belonging to the same overall research project, will be announced separately.

NTNU has many research groups that work with in-situ and remote sensing to gather information about our environment, our oceans and the climate. The main focus area for this research is our oceans, but land-based applications are also relevant. Specifically, this research will evolve the use of agile small satellites. 

A major limitation for Earth-orbiting satellites is that the revisit time at any given point on Earth is constrained by the orbital parameters. One way of handling this limitation is the use of agile satellites that can quickly re-adjust their attitude (pointing) to make an observation. When different systems work together, we aim to collectively fulfill mission requirements with respect to constraints in energy, time and pointing accuracy. At the core of this project lies the idea of super-agile concepts of operations (CONOPS) for small satellite constellations that can be developed systematically and executed automatically.

To test and demonstrate algorithms and principles for optimal operations of satellites, NTNU’s two HYPSO satellites can be used as a “lab in the sky”. Through our project partners Kongsberg Satellite Services and SpaceNorway/Statsat, we can also align experiments with operational systems. 

The PhD-candidate will become a part of the NTNU SmallSatLab and are expected to contribute to our common work environment, research and dissemination events. The lab and associated projects bring together a multidisciplinary team of leading scientists with expertise in remote sensing, autonomous systems, hyperspectral imaging, small satellite systems, ocean modelling, bio-optics, bio-geo-chemistry and ecology. For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

Your immediate leader is Professor Jan Tommy Gravdahl.

Duties of the position

The candidate will conduct research on the next-generation systems for smart and agile earth observation satellites. Among the duties of the position, the candidate will describe and model the system architecture for smart and agile satellite operations. Important tasks are to describe and map all system (and sub-system) functions, limitations and constraints. Submodels from both physics (energy, dynamics, attitude, etc) and instruments (optics, sensors, antennas, etc) should be integrated into a holistic numerical framework for system-level analysis, design, and optimization, not only for individual satellites but constellations too.  Central to the project is the exploration and evaluation of optimization algorithms for automation of super-agile CONOPS. 

The candidate will develop simulation and modelling frameworks, and work together with the team to deploy and test and evaluate selected architecture employing NTNU's satellites HYPSO-1 and/or HYPSO-2.

Information from external sources must be included, such as weather, space weather, target locations, ground station locations, communication availability and communication data rates. 

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in engineering cybernetics, control systems engineering, systems engineering or similar.
• 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.
• Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before the position can be started, tentatively end of August 2025.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral program .

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 at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) . 

The research at NTNU in this field has civilian objectives. However, some of the equipment being used is subject to export control regulations or other limitations such as ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), and the position requires that the applicant has permission to use such equipment. Applicants who are citizens of Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, or NATO countries will satisfy the requirements.

Preferred selection criteria

Useful qualifications for candidates are:

• Solid background in numerical optimization
• Solid background with programming (e.g. C, Python, Matlab) for embedded and integrated computer systems
• Modelling and simulation experience
• Knowledge about system engineering 
• Knowledge about satellite remote sensing, for example, hyper-spectral-imaging, radio frequency monitoring or similar
• Experience with development or operations of micro/nano- satellites or CubeSats

Personal characteristics

• Independent problem solver
• Persistency 
• Team player, with a strong focus on the success of the group
• Willing to work in a multi-disciplinary team, where professional level range from students to professors, and the will to learn from, and recognize skills from all team members
• Good communicator

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. 4 years including 25% teaching duties might be possible, for the right candidate.  

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

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 on a daily basis.

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 follow 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 
• 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 will be submitted within June 2025 
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft or outline and description of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Name and contact information of minimum two referees
• If you have publications or other relevant research work, these can be included in the application. 

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.

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.

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 Professor Jan Tommy Gravdahl, e-mail: jan.tommy.gravdahl@ntnu.no . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Berit Dahl, e-mail: berit.dahl@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: 12.01.2025.