项目介绍

2025年5月4日

The Department of Physics and Technology at the University of Bergen has an opening for a PhD Fellow in Microelectronics. This is a fixed-term position for three years, with the potential for a fourth year dedicated to career-enhancing activities, such as teaching. The desired start date is before September 2025. This position is funded by the University of Bergen as part of SFI Smart Ocean, a centre for research-driven innovation. The selected candidate will work under the supervision of faculty from the University of Bergen and NORCE, Bergen.

SFI Smart Ocean is advancing a wireless observation system for multi-parameter monitoring of underwater environments and installations. The system employs autonomous smart sensors to enable flexible, distributed, robust, energy-efficient, cost-effective, and secure marine measurements, data management, and remote operations.

About the project/work tasks:

Keywords: Onboard processing, data compression, data quality, adaptive sampling, adaptive transmission, low energy consumption

The PhD project has the working title Embedded signal processing for wireless underwater sensors. This is a central research task in SFI Smart Ocean, and the work is strongly linked to other research and industrial partners in the centre.

Wireless acoustic transmission of data from sensors to the network has very limited bandwidth. To reduce the transmission requirement of data, onboard processing is therefore required in the sensors. This is especially relevant for sensor types that generate relatively large amounts of raw data. Then the raw data must be processed in the sensor in order to be able to transmit compressed data or a condition description based on analysis of the raw data. Onboard processing is also very relevant for units with multiple sensors (sensor fusion) where the combination of information from multiple sensors can be used to describe a condition or make a decision to send an alarm signal or take other actions locally.

We aim to implement methods for quality control and enhancement of data quality through approaches developed in other PhD projects within SFI Smart Ocean. These methods may include physical models, multivariable analysis, self-diagnosis, and AI algorithms. Given the importance of long operating times for underwater sensors, energy-efficient processing is central to the research, focusing on both component-level solutions and algorithm optimization. The chosen solution will typically be implemented on a microprocessor platform, with the possibility of using FPGA for specific functions as appropriate.

The project will provide an overview of the research front with regard to energy-efficient signal processing but also interfaces for the transfer of sensor data via acoustic modems for underwater communication. To ensure relevant data quality, all signal processing must be transparent, and it must be possible to adapt important parameters in the sensors for different applications and varying environments and conditions. Applications that are relevant to SFI Smart Ocean’s partners will be used as a starting point for the development of methods and the implementation of sensor solutions.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

We invite you to apply if you have the qualifications listed as requirements below. Also, make sure your application clearly shows which of the qualifications listed as advantages you possess.

Requirements:

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent education in physics, electronics or another relevant field. Master students can apply provided they complete their final master exam before 01.07.2025. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded.
• Experience from or competence in electronics and signal processing is a requirement.
• Experience from or competence in programming is a requirement.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and possess strong collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in written and oral English is essential.

Advantages:

• Documented practical experimental work experience that includes measurement technology.
• Other documented education or work experience in the following topics will also be considered as advantages in the ranking of candidates:
  • Electronics design,
  • Signal analysis, digital signal processing,
  • Numerical modelling,
  • Programming in Python or MATLAB,
  • Microprocessors,
  • Measurement science,
  • Scientific writing and publishing.

Personal and interpersonal qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when assessing candidates.

Special requirements for the position

UiB is subject to export control regulations, and the regulations apply when processing applications for this position. If necessary, UiB will apply for an export license before making an offer of employment. If a positive response is not received within 12 weeks, the position may be offered to another applicant.

About the PhD position:

About the PhD Research Fellow position

The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year, consisting of 25 % career-promoting work (e.g. teaching responsibilities at the department) distributed over the employment period. The 4th year is contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the head of department upon appointment.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training

As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Science and Technology is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

We can offer:

• A good and professionally stimulating working environment 
• Salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 540 500. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• A brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• The names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis 
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not yet completed your master’s degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the expected date of award of your master’s degree. Your master’s degree must be documented with transcripts and/or diploma before starting in the position.
• Relevant certificates/references
• Approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)
• A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list with links to publications)

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge. 

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact Professor Johan Alme, Department of Physics and Technology, email johan.alme@uib.no, telephone 55 58 27 46 or Head of Department Kjetil Ullaland, email kjetil.ullaland@uib.no, telephone 55 58 28 71.

For HR related questions contact Thea Thingnes, thea.thingnes@uib.no.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

We encourage women to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.