PhD Candidate in Visualisation of AI Advice for Safety-Critical Maritime Decision Support

This is NTNU

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

At the Department of Design at NTNU we educate designers with an understanding of technology and society, researches the interaction between people, technology, society and nature, and designs innovative, human-centred and aesthetic products, systems and services. 

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable research experience that qualifies you for a career in higher education and research, both in and outside academia.

The position is based in Gjøvik and will be affiliated with the Human-Centered AI Lab (HCAI). The lab’s mission is to design and evaluate Artificial Intelligent (AI) systems with and for people, aligning AI technologies with human needs and values, situated at the intersection of AI and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The position will collaborate closely with (1) the NTNU Shore Control Lab (SCL), a design and human factors research environment focusing on human-centered design of technology for safety-critical operational contexts, and (2) the Ocean Industries Concept Lab (OICL) at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO). OICL is a research group focusing on user-centred innovation processes in the maritime domain. 

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the Norwegian Maritime AI Centre (MAI)

This position is connected to the Norwegian Maritime AI Centre (MAI), a new national hub for research, innovation, and education in artificial intelligence for the maritime domain. MAI brings together universities, research institutions, industry, and public authorities to make the maritime sector smarter, safer, and more sustainable through world-class AI research and applications. MAI’s mission is to accelerate the operationalisation of AI across maritime value chains – spanning navigation, logistics, maintenance, training, and energy management – ensuring safety, transparency, and trust. 

About the position

This PhD project will explore how to visualise advice given by AI systems in a way that enables seafarers to understand the rationales and uncertainties behind the advice in an intuitive manner. The goal is to enable seafarers to reap the benefits of AI-based decision-support systems without compromising operational safety.

The AI systems to be explored may include:

• AI-based weather-routing for determining optimal routes under changing conditions
• AI-based wind-assisted propulsion decision support for optimally deploying wind-sail propulsion according to weather conditions

The project will develop, prototype, and evaluate visual and interaction concepts that make AI advice actionable, interpretable, and appropriately calibrated to user needs in safety-critical settings (e.g., supporting correct reliance, timely challenge, and effective override when needed)

Duties of the position

You will

• Design and evaluate visual and interaction concepts for AI advice, explanations, and uncertainty communication in maritime decision-making
• Conduct human-centred design research (field/remote studies, scenario development, iterative prototyping, user evaluation)
• Run empirical studies using mixed qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., comprehension, decision quality, workload, trust calibration, safety-related behaviours)
• Contribute to MAI activities and cross-site collaboration (Gjøvik–Trondheim–Oslo)
• Publish results in HCI, human factors, and maritime technology venues

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

You have

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in industrial design, design, HCI, human factors, maritime human factors, informatics, computer science, cognitive psychology, engineering, or another relevant field
• Strong academic record and motivation for doctoral research
• Documented competence in English (written and spoken)
• Eligibility for admission to NTNU’s PhD programme in Design

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, either at HCAI in Gjøvik or SCL in Trondheim. 

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

You have

• Experience with designing and evaluating interactive AI systems
• Familiarity with safety-critical operations (maritime, aviation, healthcare, energy, etc.)
• Experience with methods for assessing transparency, trust, workload, situation awareness, or team performance
• Experience with Open Bridge design system
•  Experience with developing high-fidelity prototypes
• Experience with conducting both field studies and lab-based studies

Personal characteristics

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

• Work independently and take initiative
• Work in a structured way, set goals, and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Collaborate constructively, including giving and receiving feedback
• Show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives, and draw well-founded conclusions
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

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 the doctoral work.

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

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 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 Researcher Erik Veitch telephone +47 413 46 793 , email: erik.a.veitch@ntnu.no 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR advisor Marion Wohlen, e-mail: marion.s.wohlen@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 01.04.2026

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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. 

Gjøvik, a charming town by the shores of Lake Mjøsa, is known for its beautiful nature and rich cultural offerings. The town boasts a vibrant community with excellent schools, modern healthcare services, and a variety of recreational activities. With its strategic location, just a short drive from Oslo, Gjøvik combines the best of urban life and natural experiences. Here, you'll find a dynamic business environment and exciting career opportunities in a setting that values work-life balance.