About the position
A fixed-term 100 % position as a PhD Research Fellow in Civil and Structural Engineering, is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science. The position is affiliated with the Department of Engineering Sciences and is offered for a period of three years. The position is located at Campus Grimstad.
The starting date is 1 December 2026, or as agreed with the Faculty.
The Department of Engineering Sciences has more than 90 employees in scientific positions and more than 1500 students at all levels. A wide range of research activities is conducted across the department’s research groups: Mechatronics, Renewable Energy, Civil Engineering, and Industrial Economy. Interdisciplinary projects within the department or with other research groups are also welcome.
Responsibilities
This position will be associated with the Civil Engineering section. The position is associated with the FAMOS project, one of the projects funded through the first joint transnational call under the EU Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership. The FAMOS project aims to develop innovative modular floating island concepts for offshore sites. To achieve this, technological assessments of innovative concepts under various environmental conditions, systems integration of marine renewable energy devices, and the social acceptance of the proposed island solutions will be addressed.
The PhD research fellow will conduct research on the design and analysis of innovative concepts for co-located floating renewable energy devices, such as floating wind and floating solar systems.
The work will involve dynamic response analysis (hydrodynamic and aerodynamic) and structural integrity analysis, primarily using numerical methods and surrogate models. The candidate is expected to work collaboratively in an international research environment.
The research will include the preparation, drafting and submission of research reports, publication of high-quality scientific articles, and participation in dissemination activities at the European level.
A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Science.
Required qualifications
Applicants must hold a master’s degree in Marine Technology, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field. Potential applicants must have had their thesis approved by the time of the application deadline.
Applicants should have expertise in one of the following fields:
- Fluid dynamics
- Dynamics of marine structures
- Offshore wind or wave energy
- Multi-physics simulations of marine and offshore structures
- Stochastic analysis of marine structures
As a general rule, the following should apply:
- The average grade for courses included in the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) should be C (or equivalent) or higher.
- The average grade for all courses (including the dissertation) in the master’s degree should be B (or equivalent) or higher. The master's dissertation (or equivalent) should have the grade B (or equivalent) or higher.
- Competence in English is a requirement for all applicants to the PhD programme. 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:
- TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internetbased Test (iBT)
- IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5
Criteria for positions as PhD Research Fellow (in Norwegian)
Desired qualifications
- Experience with research and scientific publications
- Strong programming and analytical skills
- Research or work experience related to offshore structures
Personal qualities
Personal suitability and good teamwork skills will be emphasized in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. Research Fellows are expected to contribute to the active research community at the University. The position places demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail.
We offer
- Professional development in a large, exciting and socially important organisation
- A positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
- Modern facilities and comprehensive welfare schemes
- Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
More about working at UiA.
The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 550 800 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
General information
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.
Application
Applications, including documentation of education and experience (such as diplomas and certificates), must be submitted electronically via the link “Apply for this job”.
The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:
- Transcripts from master’s and bachelor’s studies with grades
- Master’s thesis
- CV with detailed education and work experience
- Up to 10 academic articles or R&D projects that the candidate wishes to emphasise in the assessment process
- A brief project description related to the research topic described above (maximum two pages)
- Any other relevant documentation
The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.
Application deadline: 01.08.26
Contact
For questions about the position:
For questions about the application process:
Creating knowledge together
When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.
The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.
Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?
Video:
https://vimeo.com/782451416/773266e83aOm arbeidsgiveren:
Universitetet i Agder har over 1500 ansatte og nesten 14 000 studenter. Det gjør oss til en av Sørlandets største arbeidsplasser. Våre ansatte forsker, underviser og formidler kunnskap fra alle sine fagområder.Universitetet holder til på to moderne campuser i Kristiansand og Grimstad.
