We have a vacancy for a joint UiA-CERN PhD position in Mechatronics at the Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science, UiA, as well as at the Controls Electronics and Mechatronics group within the Beams Department (BE-CEM) at CERN.
This is a 100 % position that is based on a jointly-funded UiA-CERN PhD vacancy, in accordance with the collaboration agreement between CERN and UiA. The successful candidate will spend 18 months at UiA followed by 18 months at the BE-CEM group at CERN, while remaining active in the PhD programme at UiA for the full 36 months. The PhD Candidate will be supervised by a main supervisor from UiA and a main supervisor from CERN. For the position of the PhD Candidate, the goal is the completion of a doctoral education at UiA and CERN, including an obtained doctoral degree from UiA.
Legged robots are vital for autonomous operations in environments where wheeled platforms cannot function, such as CERN’s experimental caverns. Their ability to navigate uneven terrain makes them indispensable for inspection and intervention tasks, but maintaining stability under external forces and environmental disturbances remains a major challenge. This PhD project aims to develop advanced control and planning algorithms that enhance robustness and safety, ensuring reliable performance even in the presence of magnetic fields and other uncertain conditions. The research will focus on improving stability metrics, accelerating their computation for real-time application, and integrating these solutions into CERN’s robotic control framework. The ultimate goal is to enable legged robots to operate autonomously with minimal human intervention, supporting critical missions in demanding environments.
Graduate degree in mechatronics engineering or qualifications considered by the Faculty to be equivalent.
To be admitted into the PhD program at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
As a general rule, the following should apply:
When the applicant's average grades are lower than required, the hosting research group at the Faculty of Engineering and Science must document the applicant’s ability to complete the PhD program. In such an event, the Faculty of Engineering and Science may recommend extra requirements to be included in the basis for admission.
Competence in English is a requirement for all applicants to the PhD program. 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:
More information on language requirements and higher education entrance qualifications.
To qualify for the joint UiA-CERN PhD position, the PhD candidate must apply and enter into a contract with both UiA and CERN.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with the following regulations (in Norwegian).
Salary and conditions
The PhD candidacy begins with a contract of employment at UiA for a duration of 18 months, followed by a contract of association and corresponding stipend at CERN for a duration of 18 months. The PhD Candidate will remain active in the PhD programme at UiA for the full 36 months.
The supervisor at UiA will assist the PhD Candidate with the application to the CERN PhD Programme.
A travel allowance is available when travel between UiA and CERN is deemed appropriate by the PhD Candidate’s supervisors.
Contract of employment at UiA:
During the 18-month period at UiA, the PhD Candidate will have a contract of employment as a PhD Research Fellow (code 1017), NOK 550,800 per annum before tax. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
Contract of association at CERN:
During the 18-month period at CERN, the PhD Candidate will have a contract of association and will be a member of the CERN Doctoral Students Programme. More information about the conditions, including details of the monthly stipend, is to be found
here .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.
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.A background check may be conducted to verify information that appears in available documents. Background checks are always done with the applicant's consent, and employment in the position requires an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information.
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.
The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.
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:
The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date.
For questions about the position:
For questions about the application process:
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