3 PhD Positions in Prognosis and Autonomous Production Optimization in Offshore Production Systems
Jobbnorge ID: 185654
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About the positions
The three PhD positions are part of the project AutoPRO: Digitalization for Prognosis and Autonomous Production Optimization in Offshore Production Systems, funded by the Norwegian Research Council.
The project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Systems Engineering Group at the Department of Chemical Engineering and the RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintaince, and Safety) group at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at NTNU, Aker BP and 3 Chinese Universities (China Univ. of Petroleum East China, Beihang University, Ocean University of China), as well as Jereh and CNOOC. The AutoPRO project is a spin-off project associated with the Centre for Research-based Innovation Subsea production and processing (SUBPRO). www.ntnu.edu/subpro.
The three PhD positions will focus on addressing theoretical, algorithmic and practical problems in the following areas:
PhD 1. Big-data driven and first principles digital twin modelling
This project combines operational data, first principles process knowledge, system identification and machine learning. The goal is to develop new methods for building and automatically maintaining models that accurately describe the process and the equipment state, and predict future process behavior. This PhD will be hosted at the Dept. of Chemical Engineering.
PhD 2. Condition-based maintenance decisions and digital twin for subsea systems
This project develops a modelling framework and algorithms for building a digital twin prescriptive layer considering system degradation and condition-based maintenance interventions. The use of hybrid data, knowledge-based inference methods, mathematical and stochastic methods will be considered as part of the development scope. This PhD will be hosted at the Dept. of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.
PhD 3. Autonomous production optimization with degrading equipment
This project develops methods that use information about current process conditions, as well as predictive models to make optimal operation and maintenance decisions autonomously, while systematically taking uncertainty into account. The use of nonlinear model predictive control methods as well as planning and scheduling approaches under uncertainty will be considered as part of the development scope. This PhD will be hosted at the Dept. of Chemical Engineering.
Duties of the position
- commit adequate time and effort to the project
- display initiative in identifying and resolving problems relating to the research
- be well organized and capable of setting and meeting self-imposed deadlines
- acquire any new skills required as part of the project
- fulfil tasks required by the supervisors as part of the project
- meet the high scholarly and professional standards required by the discipline
- ensure that all written work is of a high standard of expression and organization
- report results in written work (especially scientific papers) and oral presentations
Required selection criteria
The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a master's degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in Process Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Control Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent education 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.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.
- The successful candidates should have a background in process systems engineering or reliability engineering
- Good written and oral English language skills.
Preferred selection criteria
- Experience with system identification and machine learning
- Experience with optimization and decision-making for process operations
- Experience in first principles process modelling, control or design for PhD 1 and PhD 3
- Experience with probability modelling and decision-making for PhD 2
- Good scientific computing skills with experience in Matlab, Python, Julia, and/or other programming languages
- Good written and oral English and Norwegian language skills
Personal characteristics
- High level of personal responsibility and initiative
- Willingness to work independently as well as part of a team in accordance to project objectives
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement. NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.
We offer
- Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
- Excellent industrial contacts and collaboration with the industrial AutoPRO partners
- Exchange visits at excellent Chinese Universities (China Univ. of Petroleum East China, Beihang University, Ocean University of China)
- An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
- Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Employee benefits
Salary and conditions
PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
The period of employment is 3 years (with the possibility to extend to 4 years with teaching duties).
Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Chemical Engineering at NTNU. As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months.
The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.
It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.
About the application
The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.
Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.
Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
General information
A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.
The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation 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.
NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.
As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.
Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.
For general questions about the AutoPRO project and PhD 1 & PhD 3 contact Associate Professor Johannes Jäschke, e-mail johannes.jaschke@ntnu.no For inquiries regarding PhD 2, please contact Associate Professor Yiliu Liu, e-mail: yiliu.liu@ntnu.no
Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).
If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number NVD 51/20 when applying.
Application deadline: 26.04.2020
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Om bedriften
NTNU - knowledge for a better world
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.
Department of Chemical Engineering
left: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">We take chemistry from laboratory scale to industrial production. This demands a wide range of knowledge, from molecular processes and nanotechnology to building and operation of large processing plants. We educate graduates for some of Norway's most important industries. The Department of Chemical Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.