PhD Fellowship in Energy Systems and Artificial Intelligence

Organisation/Company

University of Stavanger

Department

Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering

Research Field

Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Country

Norway

Application Deadline

4 Apr 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Job description

The University of Stavanger invites applicants for a PhD Fellowship in Energy Systems and Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering. 

The position is vacant  from 01.10.2025. 

This is a trainee position that will give promising researchers an opportunity for academic development through a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree.

The hired candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Science and Technology. The education includes relevant courses amounting to about six months of study, a dissertation based on independent research, participation in national and international research environments, relevant academic communication, a trial lecture and public defence. Read more about the PhD education at UiS on our website.

The appointment is for three years with research duties exclusively.

This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to work in an applied research environment, utilizing the Energy Central’s state-of-the-art infrastructure for innovative, real-world applications. If you are passionate about leveraging AI (Artificial intelligence) to advance sustainable energy systems and possess the required expertise, we invite you to apply!

Research topic

We are seeking outstanding candidates for a PhD position in the interdisciplinary field of Energy and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This PhD project will focus on developing fast and accurate models for real-time optimization and control of energy systems, with shallow geothermal technology as the core element. The project will leverage system integration and optimized operation using AI techniques as key drivers for improving performance.

The successful PhD candidate will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge energy systems at the university’s Energy Central, a unique “living lab” for energy research. The Energy Central includes:

• 120 geothermal wells, 10 of which are dedicated to research, containing various types of borehole heat exchanger designs
• Two large-scale commercial heat pumps, each with a capacity of 1.3 MW
• A small heat pump utilizing supercritical CO₂ as the working fluid, which will serv as testbed for data generation and analysis of various methodologies
• Three gas boilers and two electric boilers
• Hot water accumulator and dry coolers

This advanced infrastructure, equipped with state-of-the-art measurement systems, will provide data for the development and validation of digital twin technologies aimed at techno-economic optimization of energy systems. A key goal of this project is to incorporate forecasting and market data (e.g., weather, electricity, fuel, and emission prices) to enhance decision-making in system operation.

Project proposal

As an applicant, you must prepare a preliminary project proposal for a doctoral project within the subject area, which explains the problem, relevance, theoretical and methodological approach. Your preliminary project proposal will be included in the application assessment.

During the first three months of the employment period, the project proposal and progress plan will be further developed in cooperation with your supervisors and completed for the final plan for the PhD-project. A project proposal template can be found here.

The proposal must be a maximum of one page.

Qualification requirements

We are looking for applicants with a strong academic background who have completed a five-year master degree within mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or computer science, preferably acquired recently; or who possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Stavanger both the grade for your master’s thesis and the weighted average grade of your master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade.

Applicants with an education from an institution with a different grade scale than A-F, and/or with other types of credits than sp/ECTS, must attach a confirmed conversion scale that shows how the grades can be compared with the Norwegian A-F scale and a Diploma Supplement or similar that explains the scope of the subjects that are included in the education. You can use these conversion scales  to calculate your points for admission. . If you finish your education (master’s degree) in the spring of 202x you are also welcome to apply.

A combination of expertise in energy technology and machine learning is essential for the successful completion of this PhD project.

Key Qualifications:

• A solid foundation in energy technology and a strong understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data-driven modeling
• Documented experience in modeling, coding, and programming
• Experience from real-world energy projects or case studies related to energy systems is an advantage

Emphasis is also placed on your:

• expertise in applying AI for optimization and control of energy systems
• experience with forecasting tools, market data analysis, and techno-economic models
• motivation and potential for research within the field
• professional and personal skills for completing the doctoral degree within the timeframe
• ability to work independently and in a team, be innovative and creative
• ability to work structured and handle a heavy workload
• having a good command of both oral and written English

Requirements for competence in English

A good proficiency in English is required for anyone attending the PhD program. International applicants must document this with a valid test certificate from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62

The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA
• Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma
• Applicants with a completed master's degrees taught in English in a EU/EEA country
• Applicants who are exempt based on HK-dir's GSU list

We offer

• a PhD education in a large, exciting and societally important organisation
• an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
• access to Lifekeys , a digital service for the preservation of personal mental health and well-being
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, NOK 532 200 gross per year with salary development according to seniority in the position. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund , which provides favourable insurance- and retirement benefits
• favourable membership terms at a gym and at the SIS sports club at campus
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally active seniors
• "Hjem-jobb-hjem" discounted public transport to and from work
• as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave, and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced
• relocation programme

Diversity

Diversity is a resource in the working and learning environment at UiS. When we have different backgrounds and experiences, we can approach challenges from multiple perspectives and find better solutions.

At UiS, we are committed to showing respect for each other's differences and accommodating employees with disabilities. We take into consideration your needs and your situation in various life phases.

If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background, or whether you have been out of the workforce for a period.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CV, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups for an interview. If you fall into any of these categories, feel free to indicate it when applying for the position.

Learn more about the criteria for being considered an applicant in these specific groups here .

The university aims to recruit more women within the subject area. If several applicants are considered to have equal qualifications, female applicants will be given priority.

Application

To apply for this position please follow the link "Apply for this job". Your application letter, relevant education and work experience as well as language skills must be registered here. In your application letter, you must state your research interests and motivation for the position.

The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• project proposal, a project proposal template can be found here . 
• CV with a full summary of your education and experience
• references, certificates/diplomas and other documentation that you consider relevant
• Diploma Supplement or similar and a confirmed conversion scale if this is required
• documentation on competence in English if this is required
• publications or other relevant research work

Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above and that you have attached the necessary documentation. 

The documentation must be available in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 30 MB, they must be compressed before upload.

Please note that information on applicants may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the official list of applicants - see Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act . If your request is not granted, you will be notified.

UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge.

General information

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation and if it is considered that you will not be able to start in the position within the date stated above, your application will be rejected without further assessment. 

Employment as PhD Fellow is regulated in "Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts of post-doctoral research fellow and research fellow, research assistant and resident ".

Your qualifications for the position, based on documentation registered in Jobbnorge, will be assessed by an internal expert committee. Based on the committee's statement, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview before any recommendations are made. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. More about the hiring process on our website.

The appointee will be based at the University of Stavanger, with the exception of a stay abroad at a relevant centre of research.

It is a prerequisite that you have a residence which enables you to be present at/available to the academic community during ordinary working hours.

The position has been announced in both Norwegian and English. In the case of differences of meaning between the texts, the English text takes precedence.

Morten Berentsen

UiS - challenge the well-known and explore the unknown

The University of Stavanger (UiS) has about 12,000 students and 2,200 employees. The university has high ambitions. We strive to have an innovative and international profile, and be a driving force in knowledge development and in the process of societal change. Our common direction is driven by consideration for green and sustainable change and equitable social development, through new ways of managing natural resources and facilitating better cities and local communities. Energy, health and welfare, learning for life are our focus areas.
In constant collaboration and dialogue with our surroundings, regionally, nationally and internationally, we enjoy an open and creative climate for education, research, innovation, dissemination and museum activities. Academic life at the University of Stavanger is organised into six faculties comprising various departments/schools and National Research Centres, as well as the Museum of Archaeology. We are a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The university is located in the most attractive region in the country with more than 300,000 inhabitants. The Stavanger region has a dynamic labour market and exciting cultural and leisure activities.
Together with our staff and students we will challenge the well-known and explore the unknown.

The Faculty of Science and Technology offers study programs at bachelor, master and doctoral level. The faculty has established close cooperation on research with NORCE (Norwegian Research Centre AS) and the regional industry. A number of master's and doctoral theses are made in collaboration with the industry. The faculty has established research collaborations with universities in the US and Europe, and has developed several academic environments that are at the forefront internationally.The faculty has about 2,800 students and approximately 500 employees at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Structural Engineering and Materials Science, Department of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Energy Resources, Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Safety, Economics and Planning.

Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering carries out research and offers study programs at all levels in Drilling Technology, Natural Gas Technology, Petroleum Engineering and Energy Technology. The department has established close research collaboration with relevant industry - especially in the petroleum and battery sector. The department focuses on internationalization, with the development of English study programs and high mobility among academic staff and students. There are currently 60 employees including research fellows and postdocs.

Questions about the position

Mohsen Assadi, Professor, mohsen.assadi@uis.no

Margot A. Treen, Sr. HR advisor, rekruttering@uis.no

Website

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/275572/phd-fellowship-in-energy-…

Research Field

Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Chemical engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Computer science

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering

Country

Norway

Geofield

City

STAVANGER

Website

http://www.uis.no

Street

4036 STAVANGER

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