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.

University of Agder

The University of Agder has more than 1400 employees and 13 000 students. This makes us one of the largest workplaces in Southern Norway. Our staff research, teach and disseminate knowledge from a variety of academic fields. Co-creation of knowledge is our common vision. We offer a broad range of study programmes in many fields. We are situated at two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad respectively.

We are an open and inclusive university marked by a culture of cooperation. The aim of the university is to further develop education and research at a high international level.

The position is connected to the subject area – reliable power converters for modern mechatronic systems.

Modern mechatronics systems, e.g. winches and cranes, are increasingly complex due to electrification, using more power electronics and electric drives, in which power converters are the most important and vulnerable components in the system. Rapid development of power semiconductors (SiC, GaN) renders challenges in design and control of reliable power converters. To prevent failures, dynamic operation and health condition of power converters are currently controlled and monitored via physical sensors. Understanding stress on power modules would facilitate a reliable design of compact power converters. Novel control algorithms and converter topologies with reduced component stresses would be promising solutions to avoid failures and prolong the lifetime of power converters or modern mechatronics systems.

Responsibilities

This position will focus on one or two of the following directions: (i) novel design and control of reliable power converters with extended lifetime or reduced component stresses , (ii) Proposing appropriate algorithms to monitor dynamic operation and critical spots in power converters, (iii) fault ride-through capabilities of power converters or drives in the electrified mechatronic systems, (iv) incorporating living and remaining useful lifetime into a multi-objective control framework.

A close cooperation with other researchers working in the research theme on condition monitoring and power electronics, and other colleagues at the department is highly expected.

Required qualifications

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.

The applicant should have:

• A solid academic background with a master’s degree in mechatronics, power electronics, electrical engineering, control or a similar/related field. This year’s candidates/candidates who are in the closing stages of their master’s degree can also apply.
• Good experience and/or background in power electronics, control, numerical modelling.
• Programming in Python and Matlab.
• Strong writing skills for research paper.

Good knowledge of English, both written and oral, is also required. Such evidence might be represented by the results of standard tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The candidate's language skills might also be assessed in a personal interview.

The applicant must submit an approved project description within three months of appointment. The PhD dissertation must be written in English.

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme in Engineering and Science, specialization in mechatronics.

Desired qualifications

It is highly expected that the candidate could speak Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, both written and oral, to have a close collaboration with the local industry.

Personal qualities

The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal -oriented work with a critical attitude. The Faculty is seeking candidates with good communication skills for communicating both with the industry, research partners and PhD colleagues. Further, relevant practical experience, personal qualities, suitability and good teamwork skills will also 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 479 600 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.

General information

A good working environment is characterised by its diversity. We therefore encourage all qualified candidates to apply for the position, irrespective of gender, age, disability or cultural background. The University of Agder is an IW (Inclusive Workplace).

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. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

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-, 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.
• One-page summary of Master’s thesis
• 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 above research directions.

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: 21.02.19

Contact

For questions about the position:

• Professor Van Khang Huynh, tel. +47 37 23 34 21, e-mail huynh.khang@uia.no
• Assistant Head of Department Tom Viggo Nilsen, tel. +47 37 23 32 55, e-mail tom.v.nilsen@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

• HR Advisor Nina Rønningen, tel. +47 38 14 20 16, e-mail nina.ronninge@uia.no

Apply for this job