PhD Candidate in Development of Methods for Smart and Agile Operations of Small Satellites

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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 Engineering Cybernetics at 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.

The candidate will report to the Head of Department. 
 

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 from a system-engineering perspective. Important tasks are to describe and map all system (and sub-system) functions, limitations and constraints. These must be understood and described as interfaces between architectural components. The candidate will develop simulations 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. 

In addition to contributing to the operations of HYPSO-1 and HYPSO-2, the research will support development of NTNU’s next generation satellites, as well as link to activities at the project partners. The operational satellites and lab hardware setups (FlatSats) will be the test environment to test and validate models and algorithms that are developed by the candidate or others in the project team. 

In addition to work with project partners and other stakeholders, information from external sources must be included, such as weather, space weather, target locations, ground station locations, communication availability and communication data rates. 

The candidate must also contribute to dissemination and public outreach together with the project team, in addition to the expected scientific publications

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position’s main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in engineering cybernetics, electronic system design, systems engineering, , communication systems (and other relevant disciplines). You must have grade B or better in terms of NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

• 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.
• Good background and experience with programming, such as Python, C, Matlab etc.
• Documented good written and oral English.
   

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 

The research at NTNU in this field has civilian objectives. However, some of the equipment being used is subject to export 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

• Solid background embedded systems and/or Linux.
• Experience with systems engineering, modelling and/or simulation experience.
• Good 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.
• A strong affinity for converting theory into practice.
   

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education and experience, as well as personal suitability for this position which include:

• Willingness to learn new fields and adapt to a multidisciplinary research environment, where professional level range from students to professors, and the will to learn from, and recognize skills from all team members.
• Problem solver, with ability to use existing knowledge in new ways. 
• Team player, with a strong focus on the success of the group.
• Willing to work in a multi-disciplinary team. 
• Willing to learn and spend time on understanding complicated systems.
• Excellent communication skills.

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 with a possible extension to 4 years with 25 % teaching duties.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in electronics and telecommunications 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.

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 follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out 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 has been submitted – or a progress plan confirming that the master’s thesis will be submitted within July 2025.
• 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 referees.
• Publications or other research work, if relevant.
   

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. 

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 Roger Birkeland, email roger.birkeland@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR e-mail: hr@ies.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: 13.01.25