PhD Research Fellow in condition monitoring and performance analytics for hydroelectric powerplants

Creating knowledge together

When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.

The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.

Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?

About the position

A 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in Mechatronics, affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of three years. The position is located, at the present, at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.

The Department of Engineering Sciences, has more than 90 employees in scientific positions, and more than 1500 students at all levels. A variety of research is conducted within all the groups; Mechatronics, Renewable Energy, Civil Engineering and Industrial Economy, and we also welcome interdisciplinary projects within the department or with other research groups. This position will be associated with the Top Research Centre Mechatronics. We have a broad international cooperation, and close collaboration with industrial partners and public services in the region. This is a benefit both for teaching and research. The partners contribute with assignments, competence and resources.

Responsibilities

This position will be part of the R&D project PHMHydro - Performance and Health Monitoring for Hydroelectric Powerplants. PHMHydro is a collaboration among the University of Agder, Norwegian research centre AS (NORCE), Å Energi AS, and Volue Industrial IoT AS in Norway. The main objective of PHMHydro is to improve the longevity and profitability of Hydro Electric Powerplants (HEPs) by accelerating the penetration of data analytics in operations and maintenance (O&M). This position focuses on enhanced condition monitoring (CM) solutions for hydrogenerators, combining CM data, and inspection data to detect early faults in generators. Further, modular performance analytics based on SCADA and CM data will be developed to continuously evaluate the efficiency of each HEP system and forecast the performance capabilities. Developed methods and algorithms will be validated on scaled test setups, and Å Energi’s pilot HEPs, with Volue Industrial IoT AS.

A close cooperation with other researchers working in the PHMHydro consortium and Top Research Centre Mechatronics is highly expected.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree within mechatronics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, renewable energy or a similar engineering discipline. This year’s candidates/candidates, who are in the last semester or the closing stages of their master’s degree, can also apply.
• English proficiency, both written and oral. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT), must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
  • TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
  • IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme in Engineering and Science, Specialisation in Engineering Sciences, Scientific Field in Mechatronics.

Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

Desired qualifications

• Good experience/knowledge in electrical machines, synchronous generators, applied signal processing, applied mathematics.
• Programming experience in coding e.g. Python, or MATLAB
• Writing skills for research papers.
• Experience in applied machine learning, fault diagnosis, laboratory testing and development is a plus.
• Good knowledge in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage

Personal qualities

• Proactive, adaptive and open-minded
• Excellent communication (both written and oral) and teamwork skills
• The candidate must have the ability to work independently and with a critical attitude.

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.

We offer

• professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
• a positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
• modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
• membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 532 200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions. UiA, as a public university, does not charge tuition fees even for international students.

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply for the position. 

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right. 

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:

• Certificates and certified transcripts for bachelor's-, and master's degree. Applicants with foreign higher education must attach an official description of the grading system used at the issuing institution.
• List and links of the applicant's scientific publications, if any.
• References (referee names and contacts)
• A short tentative research proposal of not more than 2 pages, including reference list, highlighting the background and research for the intended study that meets the research topic.

Please do not submit large documents, like thesis or publications. If any additional information is required, the applicant will be informed later.

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Application deadline: 12.01.24

Contact

For questions about the position:

• Professor Khang Huynh, tel. +47 37 23 34 21, mobile: +47 905 99 263 e-mail huynh.khang@uia.no
• Professor Kjell G. Robbersmyr, tel. +47 37 23 32 79, mobile +47 994 61 613, e-mail kjell.g.robbersmyr@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

• HR-adviser Heidi Kristensen, mobile 920 20 801, e-mail:  heidi.kristensen@uia.no