PhD in Estimation and Control of PDEs with Applications to Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery

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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 position

As companies accumulate increasingly large amounts of data to monitor and potentially enhance performance across various facets of their business, there is a growing need for methods that automate data analysis and subsequent decision-making processes. The objective of this PhD project is to develop general methods for Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) in systems governed by hyperbolic partial differential equations.

Hyperbolic PDEs model processes such as flow in pipes, water/gas distribution networks, power grids, irrigation channels, and road traffic—essentially, systems with transport phenomena and delays. A challenge in estimating parameters and states, as well as controlling these systems, arises from the fact that measurements and actuations are typically confined to the boundaries of the domain. This limitation is evident in scenarios like oil well drilling, where sensing and actuation occur on the rig, while potential faults that may threaten the safety of personnel, equipment integrity, and the environment, occur kilometers away near the bottom of the well. Examples of applications relevant to this project's FDIR focus include the detection and localization of washout (a leak between the drill string and the well) and the identification and localization of mud loss (a leak from the well into the reservoir).

The position is associated with the center for research-based innovation DigiWells: Digital Well Center for Value Creation, Competitiveness and Minimum Environmental Footprint. The center provides a collaborative environment consisting of researchers at NORCE, experts from industry, professors from University of Stavanger, NTNU, University of Bergen and a total of 17 PhD students and postdocs.

The employed candidate will be expected to fit in and contribute to this multidisciplinary environment. There will also be opportunities to collaborate and visit the center’s international partners: Stanford University, TU Clausthal, University of the Basque Country, and UT Austin. 

The position in FDIR for PDEs at NTNU reports to Professor Ole Morten Aamo as the main scientific supervisor of the research.

Duties of the position

• Perform research in the domain of the position – defining core research direction for the topic and providing solutions to general FDIR problems for PDEs.
• Showcase and validate the solutions in simulations with NORCE’s state-of-the-art drilling simulator.
• Collaborate with PhD Candidates and other researchers in DigiWells.
• Publish relevant papers in top-tier journals and conferences.
• Co-supervise MSc theses.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

The main qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) in systems and control engineering (or equivalent) with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they are particularly suitable candidates for education leading to a PhD degree.

Required qualifications (documentation required)

• Academic background as listed above
• Excellent English skills (written and oral) 
• Excellent computer programming skills

Preferred qualifications (documentation required)

• Knowledge and skills in the following areas are highly relevant: estimation theory (state observers, parameter identification), mathematics of partial differential equations, modelling and simulation, machine learning/reinforcement learning. 
• Experience with design of state- and parameter estimators, control systems, and software development.
• Mastering of a Scandinavian language.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

If you cannot document skills in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at level A2 upon employment, you must complete Norwegian courses corresponding to at least 15 credits before the end of the employment period. NTNU will facilitate this. 

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations for the Universities and Colleges Act (university and colleges regulations) and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.

Personal characteristics

The candidate is expected to:

• Be scientifically curious and open to new research challenges
• Demonstrate independence and persistence in addressing technical problems
• Be flexible and reliable, with ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• open and inclusive working environment with dedicated colleagues
• favorable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)  

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts. 

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. 

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK  536 200,-  per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3 years. If learning Norwegian (level A2 corresponding to at least 15 credits) is to be completed before the end of the employment period, the employment period can be extended by 10 weeks after completed and documented the Norwegian course.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD program in Engineering Cybernetics within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral program throughout the period of employment.

For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian or English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request. 

The application must include: 

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV
•  Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently 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.
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work (at most two, relevant for the position).
• Documentation of language skills.
• Documentation of computer programming skills.
• Names and contact information of minimum two relevant referees

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. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well. 

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

The appointment is carried out in accordance withthe principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

Please note that the person hired will work with critical infrastructure and areas affected by controls on the export of strategic goods, services and technology. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for the necessary security clearance, access clearance and authorization as described in the National Security Act, the Export Control Act and the Act on the Implementation of International Sanctions (Sanctions Act) cannot be considered (e.g. candidates from, among others, Russia, Iran, North Korea, China).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt 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 exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Ole Morten Aamo, email: ole.morten.aamo@ntnu.no . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Berit Dahl, e-mail: berit.dahl@ntnu.no .

Application deadline: 07.04.2025.

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

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