PhD Candidate in AI for Ship Traffic Monitoring (Norwegian Maritime AI Centre) Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is seeking a PhD Candidate for a research project in artificial intelligence (AI) for ship traffic monitoring, as part of the newly established Norwegian Maritime AI Centre. NTNU is a leading technical-scientific university located in Trondheim, Norway, with a strong focus on professional education and research excellence. The Department of Engineering Cybernetics (ITK) specializes in automatic control and monitoring of dynamic systems, contributing to digitalization, automation, and robotization in society.

This PhD project aims to develop machine learning models for analyzing ship trajectories and traffic patterns, leveraging large historical datasets from the Automatic Identification System (AIS), as well as weather data, navigation charts, and maritime databases. The research will focus on building deep AI models that integrate real-time satellite-based AIS data and sensor inputs (such as radar), enabling advanced anomaly detection, risk analysis, and autonomous navigation. The outcomes will support maritime situational awareness, security, safety, and logistics.

The Norwegian Maritime AI Centre is a collaborative hub funded by the Research Council of Norway and industry partners, running from 2026 to 2030. It brings together NTNU, University of Oslo, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, Norwegian Mapping Authority, MET, SINTEF Nordvest, and about 30 user partners from the maritime sector. The center addresses diverse use cases including logistics, ship design, voyage planning, condition monitoring, crew training, surveillance, decarbonization, and autonomous ships.

The PhD candidate will work closely with other researchers, companies, and governmental agencies, participating in center activities, international conferences, and potentially research stays with partners. Supervision will be provided by Professor Tor Arne Johansen. The position offers a gross annual salary of NOK 550,800 for three years, with favorable benefits as a public employee, including membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

Applicants must hold a Master's degree in engineering, informatics, or a related field, with strong academic results (average grade B or better on the NTNU scale). Admission to the faculty's Doctoral Program and eligibility for security clearance at CONFIDENTIAL level in Norway are required. Non-native English or Scandinavian speakers must provide proof of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL). Preferred qualifications include experience in machine learning, maritime situational awareness, ship dynamics, and ship surveillance systems, as well as good communication skills in Norwegian/Scandinavian language.

NTNU values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. The application must be submitted electronically via Jobbnorge.no, including transcripts, diplomas, CV, motivation letter, relevant publications, certificates, and contact information for referees. The deadline for applications is 10 January 2026. For more information, visit Norwegian Maritime AI Centre and application link.