PhD Candidate in Multi-Robot Informative Planning for Coastal Monitoring

About the job

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology is seeking a PhD Candidate in Multi-Robot Informative Planning for Coastal Monitoring at their campus in Ålesund. This position is part of NTNU Ålesund’s work on ocean intelligence, focusing on collecting data about the ocean to support use cases such as monitoring of fish spawning grounds, mapping of microplastics, and water quality monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral training programme and successfully obtain a PhD degree.
• Conduct high-quality research within the framework of distributed informative planning for teams of autonomous and remotely operated marine vehicles.
• Develop, implement and test algorithms in simulation and on real vehicles.
• Plan and take part in field experiments with teams of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• Contribute to academic publications and engage in popular science dissemination.
• Actively participate in the research group Cyber-Physical Systems Laboratory (CPS Lab).
• Engage in international academic activities, including conferences and/or research stays at partner institutions abroad.
• Take courses in relevant technical topics, comprising a minimum of 30 ECTS.

Qualifications

• A relevant Master's degree in engineering cybernetics, robotics, control engineering, marine technology, mechatronics, or a closely related field.
• A strong academic background with an average grade from your Master's degree equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale.
• Good programming skills, for example in Python or C++.
• Meeting the requirements for admission to the faculty's doctoral programme in Engineering Cybernetics.
• For non-English speaking applicants outside Europe, an official language test report (TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Certificate) with minimum scores.

Personal qualities

• Ability to work independently and in a structured way, as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to present and discuss research with other professionals.
• Flexibility and openness to adjusting the project plan as needed.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society.
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment.
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period.
• An open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues.
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project.
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK).

How to apply

Applications must be submitted electronically via Jobbnorge.no by 30.11.2026. The application must include a CV and certificates, transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, a copy of the Master's thesis, a short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page), a project outline (maximum 1500 words/4 pages), and names and contact information of three relevant referees. For more information, contact Erlend Magnus Lervik Coates at erlend.coates@ntnu.no.

Contact

Erlend Magnus Lervik Coates, Associate Professor
erlend.coates@ntnu.no