PhD Candidate in Reliability of Autonomous Systems Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) invites applications for a PhD Candidate in Reliability of Autonomous Systems within the Department of Computer Science, located in Trondheim, Norway. NTNU is Norway’s leading academic IT environment, offering a wide range of theoretical and applied IT programmes and hosting a vibrant research community. The position is part of the European Defence Fund-sponsored SALUBRIS project, which focuses on strategic autonomous logistics for uncrewed battlefield and intervention systems.

The SALUBRIS project aims to advance multimodal CASEVAC operations using a mix of unmanned vehicles across land, sea, and air domains for casualty detection, recovery, and evacuation. The project leverages swarm coordination, sensor data fusion from wearable and nearable sensors, and explainable AI techniques to prioritize casualties through autonomous triage based on the START methodology. The successful candidate will contribute to the reliability aspects of these autonomous systems, including the design of fault tolerance solutions and evaluation of the robustness of machine learning and data fusion approaches.

As a PhD Candidate, you will complete doctoral education, conduct high-quality research, publish academic and popular science work, and participate in the System Software research group (https://www.ntnu.edu/idi/ssg). You will engage in international activities, including conferences and research stays, and collaborate with national and international partners to ensure the success of the SALUBRIS project. The position offers a dynamic and inclusive working environment, career guidance, and access to employee benefits such as pension, free Norwegian language training, and working capital for project implementation.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a relevant Master’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent, corresponding to a five-year Norwegian course with 120 credits at the master’s level. Master students may apply if the degree is completed by July 31, 2026. A strong academic background is required, with an average grade of B or better on NTNU’s grading scale. Good oral and written English skills, proficiency in C/C++, and low-level programming for embedded systems are essential. Admission to the NTNU Doctoral Program in Computer Science must be secured within three months of employment. Preferred qualifications include open-source code contributions, experience with compiler-level tools, reliability and fault tolerance, and autonomous systems. Personal qualities such as independence, structured work, teamwork, motivation, and adaptability are highly valued.

Funding: The position is externally funded by the European Defence Fund via the SALUBRIS project. The gross salary is NOK 550,800 per annum, with a 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund deducted. The employment period is three years, and employee benefits include pension, free Norwegian language training, and working capital for project implementation.

Application Process: Applications must be submitted electronically via Jobbnorge.no (Apply here) before the deadline of June 15, 2026. Required documents include transcripts and diplomas, CV, master’s thesis, project outline, motivation letter, publications, certificates, and contact information for three referees. If invited to interview, certified copies of certificates and diplomas must be provided. For questions about the position, contact Associate Professor Leonardo Montecchi ([email protected]).

NTNU values diversity and aims to reflect the diversity in society, promoting equality and inclusion in its workforce. The university offers a modern European city experience in Trondheim, with excellent welfare, education, and family life opportunities.