PhD Research Fellow in Mechatronics – Machine Vision
Deadline: 15.03.2023
University of Agder
The University of Agder has more than 1500 employees and almost 14 000 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.
About the position
A 100 % position is available at the University of Agder (UiA), 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.
Research topics for the PhD research fellow include, but are not limited to the following:
Mechatronics – product development
Underwater camera systems
Computer vision in unstructured environments
Data fusion
Real-time systems
Responsibilities
The PhD research fellow will be the main contributor to one of three work packages, responsible for developing an intelligent multi-camera system for underwater observatories in weather-exposed coastal areas to enable continuous real-time monitoring in 3D. The fellow will perform research on methods for the fusion of multiple underwater 3D camera nodes and video streaming in real-time to shore for monitoring and applied Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Check out the following research articles to see examples of what the developed vision system will be used for in combination with AI:
A contrastive learning approach for individual re-identification in a wild fish population
Temperate fish detection and classification: a deep learning based approach
Unlocking the potential of deep learning for marine ecology: overview, applications, and outlook
The position is connected to an ongoing research collaboration between UiA and HI, which is leading this research project named “The legacy of Dannevig: development of automated coastal surveillance.”
The work package will be carried out in four phases, several of which are partly parallel:
1. Development of simulation environment and scenarios
2. Concept development, algorithm development (3D computer vision), simulator testing, and initial environmental testing of the underwater camera housing
3. System development, detailed design, prototype production, verification of camera system, network and processing solutions on land
4. Full-scale underwater testing in the coastal zone
Required qualifications
Master’s degree in Mechatronics, Computer Science, Robotics, Systems Engineering, Engineering Cybernetics, or another relevant subject area. This year’s candidates/candidates who are in the closing stages of their master’s degree can also apply.
The ideal candidates will have expertise in the following areas:
Computer vision / Machine vision
Programming in C/C++ and Python
Embedded systems (Linux, NixOs and/or RTOS-interest/experience)
Written and spoken English proficiency. 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 position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 501 200 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.
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 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:
A one-page cover letter highlighting the applicant's relevant experience and motivation for the position
Certificates with grades
A summary of the master’s thesis of maximum one page
References
Academic work and R&D projects, as well as a list of these (list and links to the applicant's scientific publications, if any)
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: 15.03.23
Contact
For questions about the position:
Associate Professor Daniel Hagen, mobile +47 413 24 787, e-mail daniel.hagen@uia.no
Assistant Professor Kristian Muri Knausgård, mobile +47 908 38 371, e-mail kristian.m.knausgard@uia.no
Professor Kjell G. Robbersmyr, tel. +47 37 23 32 79, mobile +47 994 61 613, e-mail kjell.g.robbersmyr@uia.no
Head of Department Paul Svennevig, tel. +47 37 23 32 54, mobile +47 916 21 235, e-mail paul.r.svennevig@uia.no
