PhD Candidate in Digital Twins and AI for Cultural Heritage Preparedness

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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

The Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering (IVB) at NTNU in Gjøvik has a vacancy for a PhD Candidate in Digital Twins and AI for Cultural Heritage Preparedness. The position is part of the Horizon Europe project HERITWIN and is linked to the Norwegian pilot at the Telemark Canal, focusing on digital twin-based preparedness modelling for cultural heritage infrastructure.

The primary objective of the position is to complete a doctoral education leading to a PhD degree and to qualify for a career in academia, research institutions, or other sectors where research competence is required, in accordance with § 3-19 of the Regulations under the Universities and University Colleges Act.

Your immediate leader will be the Leader of Researchgroup Civil Engineering.

About the project

The position is funded by the Horizon Europe project HERITWIN (2025–2028), which includes 17 European partners and aims to validate advanced digital infrastructure for cultural heritage through five national pilots (Sweden, Norway, Spain, UK, and Greece). The Norwegian pilot develops and validates:

• Digital twin development for heritage risk preparedness
• AI-based predictive monitoring (humidity, flooding, structural stress)
• Integration of GIS/BIM, LiDAR and IoT telemetry
• Federated data architecture and semantic interoperability
• Explainable and trustworthy AI aligned with European regulations

The PhD candidate will contribute to modelling, system validation, and scientific dissemination within the project framework.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education and obtain a PhD degree
• Conduct independent research of high international quality
• Develop digital twin models integrating structural, environmental and sensor data
• Design and validate AI-based risk and preparedness models
• Publish scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and conferences
• Participate in international collaboration within the HERITWIN consortium
• Contribute to dissemination activities

The position is primarily dedicated to doctoral work. At least three full-time equivalent years will be devoted to the doctoral education in accordance with NTNU’s guidelines for recruitment positions.

Be prepared for changes to work duties following organizational needs.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant master’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Engineering, Geomatics, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering Cybernetics, or equivalent. The degree must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, including 120 ECTS at master’s level.
• You must have a strong academic background, normally with an average grade of B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to NTNU’s PhD program in Engineering at NTNU.
• Good written and oral English skills.

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

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions 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 (see: https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phd/regulations).

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with digital twins, data modelling, semantic technologies, resilience engineering and preparedness systems
• Knowledge of data interoperability or simulation systems
• Experience with AI/ML methods
• Experience with BIM, GIS or spatial data
• Experience with sensor systems or IoT
• Experience working in interdisciplinary research projects

Personal characteristics

To complete the doctoral education successfully, you should:

• Work independently and in a structured manner
• Be analytical and capable of handling complex technical systems
• Show strong motivation for research
• Communicate and collaborate effectively

Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

We offer

• An exciting job position in a Horizon Europe research project
• An interdisciplinary research environment at NTNU Gjøvik
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Access to NTNU employee benefits
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

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. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education. 

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

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

The position as PhD Candidate (code 1017) is remunerated according to national salary regulations, normally NOK 550 800 gross per annum. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is three years.

It is a condition of employment that the candidate is admitted to the PhD programme in Engineering at NTNU.

A complete application for admission to the doctoral programme must be submitted no later than three months after commencement in the position. A signed agreement on admission must be in place no later than six months after commencement, in accordance with NTNU’s guidelines for recruitment positions.

An individual career plan will be prepared in accordance with NTNU’s guidelines for recruitment positions and followed up in annual employee interviews.

If the candidate does not have proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at level A2 upon employment, NTNU will offer Norwegian language training in accordance with national regulations.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them. 

For necessary professional interaction, physical presence at NTNU Gjøvik is required.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the 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.

About the application

The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas (Bachelor’s and Master’s) 
• CV
• Copy of master’s thesis (or draft if recently submitted)
• Project outline (maximum 1500 words) describing research questions, theoretical framework, methodology and tentative progress plan
• Short letter of motivation (maximum 400 words)
• Names and contact information of three referees

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. Applications must be submitted electronically via Jobbnorge.no.

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.

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. For questions about the position, please contact:
Bjørn Arild Godager, Associate Professor
Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering
NTNU Gjøvik
Email: bjoern.godager@ntnu.no
Phone: +47 41252468

 

For questions about the recruitment process, please contact Kristine Rognlid Hagaseth, HR Advisor, Kristine.r.hagaseth@ntnu.no

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 
Application deadline: 07.04.2026.