PhD Candidate in AI-enabled Hybrid Manufacturing and Remanufacturing Systems

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NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

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 Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at NTNU has a vacancy for a PhD Candidate in AI-enabled Hybrid Manufacturing and Remanufacturing Systems.

The position is hosted by the Production Management research group, which conducts internationally recognized research in production systems, circular manufacturing, and digital technologies for industrial decision-making.

You will join a dynamic and international research environment working at the intersection of circular manufacturing, remanufacturing systems, and artificial intelligence for industrial decision support. The research group collaborates closely with industrial partners and international research networks addressing the transition toward more sustainable and resilient manufacturing systems.

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will work toward obtaining your doctoral degree while contributing to research addressing key challenges in the implementation of circular production systems.

You will be supervised by Associate Professor Sotirios Panagou.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

Manufacturing industries are transitioning toward circular production systems, where products and components are reused, repaired, or remanufactured to extend their lifecycle and reduce environmental impact. Remanufacturing is one of the most promising circular strategies, yet its implementation within industrial production systems remains challenging.

Companies are increasingly exploring hybrid manufacturing–remanufacturing systems, where new production and remanufacturing operations coexist within the same production environment. However, these systems introduce significant operational challenges due to uncertainties in returned product condition, quality variability, and unpredictable return flows.

This PhD project will investigate how artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-support tools can support operational decision-making in hybrid manufacturing–remanufacturing systems.

The research will focus on:

• AI-enabled decision support for hybrid manufacturing–remanufacturing systems, supporting operational decisions such as routing, repair, reuse, or remanufacturing of returned components.

• Data-driven assessment of returned product quality and uncertainty, enabling more reliable planning and operational control in circular manufacturing environments.

Digital product passports and industrial traceability systems may be explored as data sources to support these decision-support approaches.

The research will contribute to the development of sustainable and data-driven manufacturing systems and will be conducted in collaboration with industrial partners and international research networks.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out high-quality research within the framework described above
• Publish research results in leading international journals and conferences
• Participate in the Production Management research group activities
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and research stays abroad
• Disseminate research results to academic and industrial audiences

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you maybe considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme
• Good written and oral communication skills in English
• Knowledge or background in manufacturing systems, production management, operations research, or industrial engineering

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.

Preferred selection criteria

Experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:

• Circular manufacturing systems or remanufacturing
• Artificial intelligence, data analytics, or decision-support systems
• Manufacturing systems modelling, simulation, or optimisation
• Production planning and control or operations management
• Industrial digitalisation and data-driven production systems

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Work independently and in a structured manner
• Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Show curiosity and strong motivation for research
• Communicate and collaborate well with researchers and industry partners
• Present and discuss research ideas with other professionals

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

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
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• 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

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-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.

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

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

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 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 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.
• Project outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project and progress plan (maximum 1500 words/4 pages) 
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• Names and contact information of three 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 work 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).

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 Associate Professor Sotirios Panagou, e-mail: sotirios.panagou@ntnu.no.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Senior Consultant Hedda Winnberg, e-mail: hedda.winnberg@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 11.04.2026

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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.