Stilling:

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Mechatronics

Closing date: 27.06.18

The University of Agder (UiA) invites applications for one full-time, fixed-term appointment as Postdoctoral Research Fellow in mechatronics with a focus on condition-based maintenance for rotating machinery systems for a period of two years, with possible contract extension. This position is currently located in Grimstad, Norway. The starting date is as soon as possible or to be negotiated with the faculty.

University of Agder

The University of Agder has more than 1200 employees and 12000 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 herein announced position will be part of a recently established Lab, namely, the Integrated Systems Health Management (ISHM) Lab, whose activities span across both the Department of Engineering and Teknova - a technology-based industrial research institute located in Grimstad. The position will be affiliated with the Department of Engineering Sciences within the Dynamics research group. We have a broad international cooperation and close cooperation with industrial partners and public services in the region. This is a benefit both to teaching and research. The partners contribute with assignments, competence and resources.

More about working at UiA.

Research topic for the post-doctoral position

Rotating machinery is structurally optimised to work at the highest efficiency at certain operating points through their lifetime. Unlike industrial production, powertrains require rotating machinery to operate in such applications in which the operation point varies frequently. It was shown in industrial investigations and literature that an increased percentage of faults in rotating machinery is found due to deviations from regular operations and accumulated wear over long periods of service. A machine with high efficiency may have to lower its lifetime and reliability. Therefore, incorporating knowledge of machinery wear in the control design is necessary to achieve a better life and optimal performance simultaneously.

The objective of this research is, therefore, to investigate and develop techniques for incorporating living and remaining useful life as well as diagnostics and prognostics information into a multi-objective control framework for rotating machinery that is used in various dynamic systems. The developed techniques can be validated in laboratory as well as with industrial partners. In addition, the proposed methodologies should be scalable and deployable in large scale in an industrial context.

Requirements

The candidate should have a PhD in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar. Having a PhD thesis in a related topic is a plus. It is desirable that the applicant has defended his/her doctoral thesis within the last five years. PhD students are also welcome to apply if their defense is scheduled for the next few months. Industrial experience in condition monitoring and diagnostics is a plus.

Solid understanding and experience in (some of) the following areas is a plus:

  • prognostics, health management and remaining useful life (RUL) prediction
  • model-based fault detection
  • adaptive filtering and other artificial intelligence techniques
  • advanced signal processing
  • FPGA in-built hardware
  • numerical modelling e.g. FEA, Proper Generalized Decomposition (PGD)
  • electrical machines and motor drives, gearboxes and other rotating machines
  • system identification and optimization
  • machine learning
  • programming in Matlab, C/C++, Python

Candidates should also have:

  • scientific ambition
  • motivation and strong interest in cutting-edge research
  • good analytical and problem-solving skills
  • good personal skills like ability to collaborate and work in teams, creativity, and a proactive attitude

Publication of scientific papers in high impact journals and participation in first-class international conferences related to these topics will be considered positively.

We offer the opportunity to work in a good research environment. You will collaborate with experienced scientists in your field and have excellent prospects for personal development in an innovative working environment for aspiring researchers.

Emphasis will be given to the applicant’s project description and its relevance in relation to ongoing research and teaching at the Faculty of Engineering and Science.

A high level of oral and written proficiency in English is required.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interviews. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment.

Further provisions relating to the position as Post-Doctoral Research Fellow 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.

We offer:

  • a variety of responsibilities in a large, exciting and influential organization
  • modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
  • flexible working hours

The University of Agder is an open, friendly and professional employer, with a Scandinavian view on life/work balance, and with a clear vision to do research to enlighten human understanding.

Remuneration

The position is remunerated according to the State salary scale, salary plan 17.510, code 1352 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, salary NOK 517 700-579 300 gross per year. A 2 % compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

The Norwegian public service is committed to reflecting the diversity of society, and the personnel policy of the University of Agder aims to achieve a balanced workforce. All qualified persons are therefore encouraged to apply for the position, irrespective of cultural background, gender, age or disability.

Women are especially encouraged to apply.

Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. The successful applicants will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the public service.

Application

Submit your application and CV online. Please click on the link “Apply for this job”. The following documentation should be submitted as attachments to the online application:

  • electronic copy of your PhD thesis and Master’s thesis (if applicable)
  • summary and links to the applicant's scientific publications
  • description of the candidate’s research interests, motivation and background in-line with the project applied for

The applicants are fully responsible for submitting complete documentation. Without complete documentation we cannot, unfortunately, include you in the assessment process.

Closing date: 27.06.18

For further information, please contact:

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

Apply for this job

Søknadsfrist: 27.06.2018

Web: www.uia.no

Kontakt: Professor Kjell G. Robbersmyr

Telefon: +47 37 23 33 27

E-post: kjell.g.robbersmyr@uia.no

Kontakt 2: Tom Viggo Nilsen (Assistant Head of Department)

Telefon: +47 37 23 32 55

E-post: tom.v.nilsen@uia.no

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