UiA-CERN PhD Position in Multi-robot Mapping and Environmental Data Sharing - Uncertain Environments
Deadline: 10.04.2026
Publisert
The University of Agder has more than 1500 employees and almost 14 000 students, making us one of Southern Norway's largest workplaces. Our dedicated staff engage in research, teaching and dissemination across a diverse range of fields.
The university is located on two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad.
About the position
We have a vacancy for a joint UiA-CERN PhD position in Mechatronics at the Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science, UiA, as well as at the Controls Electronics and Mechatronics group within the Beams Department (BE-CEM) at CERN.
This is a 100 % position that is based on a jointly-funded UiA-CERN PhD vacancy, in accordance with the collaboration agreement between CERN and UiA. The successful candidate will spend 18 months at UiA followed by 18 months at the BE-CEM group at CERN, while remaining active in the PhD programme at UiA for the full 36 months. The PhD Candidate will be supervised by a main supervisor from UiA and a main supervisor from CERN. For the position of the PhD Candidate, the goal is the completion of a doctoral education at UiA and CERN, including an obtained doctoral degree from UiA.
Project description
Legged robots are vital for autonomous operations in environments where wheeled platforms cannot function, such as CERN’s experimental caverns. This PhD aims to design and implement a cloud-based architecture for storing and managing maps and associated sensor data, enabling data sharing across multiple robots and missions. It will focus on compact data representation, efficient transmission strategies tailored to mission requirements, and algorithms for combining data from multiple sources to improve accuracy and visibility. The project will also explore predictive methods for identifying future environmental conditions and potential areas of interest, supporting proactive maintenance and enhanced operational efficiency in CERN’s challenging environments.
Another prerequisite for employment is that the PhD Candidate is a citizen of a CERN member state or associated member state.
Applicants must have an MSc (or equivalent) degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, robotics, or a similar engineering discipline. Students who are already in the last semester of their MSc education are also eligible to apply. Completion of MSc degree before July 1st 2026 and with the grade B (or equivalent) or higher in the final MSc project is also required.
Strong analytical skills and fundamental knowledge in mathematical modeling of robotic systems, mechanics, kinematics and dynamics, control, communication, networking, mapping
Solid background or experience in programming in C++, MATLAB or similar platforms
Fundamental knowledge and experimental background in sensors, data acquisition, and electrical actuators
Good knowledge of English, both written and oral, is also required.
Admission in Engineering and Science
Graduate degree in mechatronics engineering or qualifications considered by the Faculty to be equivalent.
To be admitted into the PhD program at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
Hold a master's degree in a relevant subject area from a Norwegian university or qualifications approved as equivalent.
Have educational qualifications and credentials corresponding to a Norwegian master's degree level which upon individual evaluation are approved as a basis for admission. Applicants with an education of less than 5 years must expect that additional requirements will be imposed upon them, and that they will only receive a conditional offer of admission.
As a general rule, the following should apply:
The average grade for courses included in the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) should be C (or equivalent) or higher.
The average grade for courses included in the master's degree (or equivalent) should be B (or equivalent) or higher.
The master's thesis (or equivalent) should have the grade B (or equivalent) or higher.
When the applicant's average grades are lower than required, the hosting research group at the Faculty of Engineering and Science must document the applicant’s ability to complete the PhD program. In such an event, the Faculty of Engineering and Science may recommend extra requirements to be included in the basis for admission.
Competence in English is a requirement for all applicants to the PhD program. 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 Paper based Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5
The PhD candidacy begins with a contract of employment at UiA for a duration of 18 months, followed by a contract of association and corresponding stipend at CERN for a duration of 18 months. The PhD Candidate will remain active in the PhD programme at UiA for the full 36 months.
The supervisor at UiA will assist the PhD Candidate with the application to the CERN PhD Programme.
A travel allowance is available when travel between UiA and CERN is deemed appropriate by the PhD Candidate’s supervisors.Contract of employment at UiA:During the 18-month period at UiA, the PhD Candidate will have a contract of employment as a PhD Research Fellow (code 1017), NOK 550,800 per annum before tax. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
Contract of association at CERN:
During the 18-month period at CERN, the PhD Candidate will have a contract of association and will be a member of the CERN Doctoral Students Programme.
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.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 Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.
A background check may be conducted to verify information that appears in available documents. Background checks are always done with the applicant's consent, and employment in the position requires an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information.
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 supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.
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:
Motivation/cover letter demonstrating why the candidate is a good fit for this position.
CV: including but not limited to, educational background, academic (theoretical and experimental) work and R&D projects, list of publications, and list of courses relevant to this project. There is no page limit for CV.
Certificates with grades
Master’s thesis (This applies to the applicants who have already been granted the MS degree.)
Name and contact information of at least two references
Document verifying English language proficiency (please see the section “Admission in Engineering and Science”)
One-page research background (excluding reference list) outlining the applicant’s research background relevant to this PhD position
Any other relevant documentation
The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date.
Application deadline: 10.04.26.
Contact
For questions about the position:
Associate professor M. Ali Poursina, tel. +47 37 23 38 06, e-mail: poursina@uia.no
