PhD Fellowship position in Visualizing Ground: Developing A Physics-informed Data-driven Integrated Ground Model Towards Lifecycle Management of Offshore Wind Foundation

The Faculty of Technology, Arts and Design (TKD) at OsloMet has a vacant PhD fellowship position in offshore geotechnical engineering. The position will be at the Department of Built Environment.

Area of research

Unlike the oil & gas sector, offshore wind developments target spatially spread resources, necessitating the construction of numerous similar structures and foundations with lengthy interconnections (e.g., moorings, cabling) with seabed, across vast area. Consequently, the costs of offshore renewable foundation systems accounts for significant percentage of the project value, greatly higher than the 1 to 3% for traditional petroleum projects. It promotes the need for an integrated ground model (IGM) to facilitate the optimization of cost and utilization of marine and seabed spaces, particularly concerning offshore foundations.

Integrated ground model is a comprehensive 3D representation of the surface and subsurface, providing a thorough understanding of dynamic and static processes within a consistent geological framework. IGM integrates 2D or 3D geophysical data covering big area, primarily acoustic, to characterize seafloor morphology and sub-seafloor structure and stratigraphy. Additionally, it incorporates geological and geotechnical data to represent the 'ground truth' at a local level. The IGM particularly focuses on the variability of geotechnical parameters and their uncertainties, which is crucial for designing reliable offshore foundations and for assessing the potential geological risks at the site.

In this aspect, the Department of Built Environment at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, OsloMet is mainly collaborating with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) on research activities on further development of integrated ground model. The primary objective of this project is to develop a physics-informed data-driven integrated ground model and address the aforementioned challenges. Validation will utilize the extensive databases amassed over decades of industrial experience at NGI, and sufficient public data sources. The secondary objective is to demonstrate critical role of IGM in facilitating cost-effective, reliable offshore wind foundation design. Additionally, a strategy will be proposed to leverage established IGM for visualizing ground and creating digital twins of offshore wind foundation, enabling decision-making model updating through foundation’s lifecycle.

The position is for a period of three years. The goal must be to complete the PhD program/degree within the decided time frame.

Qualification requirements and conditions

• Master's degree within geotechnical engineering or relevant disciplines. The degree must contain 120 credits (ECTS).
• An academic profile that suits the department’s needs.
• Good communication skills in English, oral and written.

The following grade requirements are a condition for employment in the position:

• Minimum average grade B on subjects included in the master's degree.
• Minimum grade B on the master's thesis.
• Minimum average grade C on the subjects included in the bachelor's degree. If you have an integrated master's degree, the grades from the first three standard years of the degree will be assessed.

Admission to the doctoral program in Engineering Science at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design within three months of employment is a prerequisite for the position. If you already have a doctorate in a related field, you will not qualify for the position.

In assessing the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the department's overall needs and the applicant's potential for research within the field.

General criteria for employment in academic positions are covered by the Regulations on the University and College Act.

Preferred selection criteria

• Process excellent analytical skills.
• Have the ability to work independently and systematically in a team.
• Are practical and have a strong understanding of engineering concepts.
• Can quickly adapt to new environments.
• Find joy in working on innovative and exciting projects.

Personal suitability will be emphasised.

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunities for professional development
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
• Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners/spouses
• Workplace in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway.

Application

To be considered for the position, you must upload the following documents by the application deadline:

• Application letter describing your motivation and how your academic profile is relevant for this position.
• Copies of diplomas and transcripts for bachelor's and master's degrees (which list subjects and grades) and certificates. Please note that a description of the grading system at the university/country where you took your degree must be attached. This must be an official document with a stamp from your university. Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the university that issued the diploma.
  • Your master's degree must be completed at the time of application. If you have not received a diploma before the application deadline, you must attach a preliminary transcript in English or a Scandinavian language from your university by the application deadline, in addition to an official confirmation from the educational institution that all examinations for the master's degree, including the master's thesis, have been completed. Official diploma and transcript must be forwarded by the joining date.
• Name and contact information of two references (name, relationship, e-mail and telephone number).
• Scientific work that you want to be assessed and Master thesis.
• Applicants from countries where English is not a first language must submit the result of an official language test. The following applicants are exempt from this language requirement:
  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
  • Applicants who have completed at least one year of study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain or the United States. Applicants who hold an “International Baccalaureate (IB)” diploma.

The following language tests are approved documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). In these tests, you must have achieved at least the following scores:

• • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5, where none of the sections should have a lower score than 5.5 (only the Academic IELTS test is accepted).

We only process applications sent via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be processed. The documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized. You must present originals at any interview. OsloMet checks documents, so that you as a candidate will get a real evaluation and fair competition.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. A background check may be conducted to verify information in submitted CVs and available documents. Background checks are not conducted without the consent of the applicant and relevant applicants will receive further information about this.

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Head of the Department, Yonas Zewdu Ayele, telephone: +47 67 23 60 85; E-mail yonas.ayele@oslomet.no
• Associate professor, Chuangxin Lyu, telephone: +47 46 21 78 91; E-mail: chuangxi@oslomet.no

The position is paid according to the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, position code 1017 PhD fellow, NOK 532 200 per year.

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact hrtkd@oslomet.no.

If you would like to apply for the position, you must do so electronically through our recruitment system.

Deadline for applications: 15.09.2024

Ref.: 24/19729