This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0

About the position

Drones are increasingly considered as a security threat to society, including civilian critical infrastructure. Counter-drone systems must monitor the airspace as an integral part of a multi-layered air defense system, with functionality for detection, tracking and mitigating drone threats. Defending critical infrastructure such as railroads, bridges, power plants, power lines, airports, harbors, water supplies and more is challenging in a large country with complex geography and harsh climate. The PhD project will therefore study C-UAS concepts and contribute to develop and test solutions that are specially targeting Norwegian needs.

The UAV-lab at NTNU has been one of the prime research environments for advanced aerial drone operations with 15 years of experience developing technology for drone autonomy and beyond-line-of-sight operations. The project will give you an opportunity to do conceptual and practical research using drone detection systems, interceptor drones and other technologies driven by advanced sensors, data communication systems, and artificial intelligence.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The PhD position is internally funded by NTNU. The research will exploit collaboration with governmental agencies and industry.

Duties of the position

Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
Academic publications and popular science dissemination
Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions

Required selection criteria

You must have a relevant Master's degree in control engineering, cybernetics, aerospace engineering, electronic systems, mechatronics, or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than 1. September 2027.
You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Program.
You are expected to qualify for security clearance at level CONFIDENTIAL or higher. https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2018-06-01-24/KAPITTEL_8#KAPITTEL_8

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

Practical experience with development or use of aerial drone systems, aircraft or air defense systems.
Expertise in one or more of the following areas: systems engineering, systems simulation, relevant electronic systems, guidance, navigation and control systems.
Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian/Scandinavian equivalent level A2.

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
Show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject
Communicate well in writing and orally

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

Evaluate and remove/add what is relevant for the position.

An exciting job with an important mission in society
Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
Working capital that can be used to implement the project
Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be from NOK 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work in addition to up to 12 months of career promotion work for the right candidate.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD program in in Engineering Cybernetics within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral program through out the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include:

Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
CV
Copy of Master's thesis, if completed.
Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
Possibly certificates
Names and contact information of minimum two relevant referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Tor Arne Johansen, email tor.arne.johansen@ntnu.no . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Berit Dahl, e-mail: berit.dahl@ntnu.no

Application deadline: 24.09.2026.

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

PhD Candidate in Counter-Drone Systems (C-UAS)