About this role
This is NTNU NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim. At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world. You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here. Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0 About the position About the strategic area Ocean and coast NTNU Ocean and Coast is one of five strategic research areas at NTNU. The idea behind these research areas is that complex societal challenges (such as the climate crisis) must be solved collectively. These strategic research areas are therefore established to promote interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research. The goal is to develop new solutions through radical interdisciplinarity, thereby contributing to real change and a better future. Inspired by NTNU's strategy ‘Knowledge for a Better World’, the strategic research areas are intended to be a place where ideas meet action—a space for thinking outside the box and developing groundbreaking solutions to problems that truly matter. These research areas cover the full breadth of academic disciplines at NTNU, including artistic research, and all faculties are invited to contribute. The Ocean and Coast strategic research area focuses on societal challenges related to the open ocean, coastal areas with their fjords and coastal communities, rivers and lakes, the water cycle, and water more generally. The Arctic faces particular challenges that will also be emphasized. Three key concepts define our approach: preserve, develop, and restore. To address these challenges, NTNU Ocean and Coast has established eleven interdisciplinary research teams with different focus areas. We encourage you to visit our website for more information about these research teams: https://www.ntnu.edu/ocean-coast The Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund (IBA) at Norwegian University of Science and Technology is opening a PhD position in AI-enabled biological monitoring as part of the ongoing COD-SPAWN project funded by the Ocean and Coast thematic research area of NTNU. COD-SPAWN aims to develop novel sensor technologies and autonomous monitoring systems for marine environments, with a particular focus on supporting sustainable coastal and fjord ecosystems. The project integrates advanced sensing, robotics, and artificial intelligence to enable continuous, high-resolution monitoring of environmental conditions and biological processes. The sensor technology has been successfully validated in laboratory conditions and will be further developed and adapted for marine deployment and in situ analyses. Borgundfjorden, outside Ålesund, will be used as a living laboratory and demonstration site, with particular focus on Atlantic cod spawning dynamics. This project is expected to involve extensive field activities. The successful candidate will contribute to the following areas: Further development and field implementation of our water sampling and analyses system for: Machine vision-based (AI) plankton and particle imaging Implementation of sample collection for subsequent genetic analyses Fieldwork and sampling campaigns to generate data series on coastal cod spawning dynamics, including: Presence and distribution of fish eggs, zooplankton and particles Presence and biological status of spawning fish Water quality parameters Within the scope of the project, the PhD research can be adapted to the candidate’s interests and background, allowing for specialization in biology/ecology, modelling or machine learning applications. We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled candidate with a background in marine biology, fisheries biology, biological oceanography, marine environmental sciences, or related fields. Candidates with documented experience in the application of AI (object detection) in biological studies are especially encouraged to apply. The project is inherently interdisciplinary, and the candidate will collaborate closely with experts in marine biology, environmental monitoring, ocean engineering, robotics, cybernetics and data science. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. About the project COD-SPAWN is an ambitious, cross-disciplinary research initiative at NTNU Ålesund that develops and pilots a next-generation autonomous monitoring system for Atlantic cod spawning and pollution dynamics in Borgundfjorden — Norway's second most important cod spawning ground and a nationally prioritized site for sediment remediation. The project employs and further develops our advanced AI-based system for marine plankton and particle analyses alongside a suite of marine water quality sensors. In addition to the use of more traditional sampling methods from shore and boats, it deploys unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) equipped with image-based particle sensors and AI-driven data analysis pipelines to enable real-time, high-resolution detection of cod eggs, microplastics, and suspended contamination in a fjord that has historically been compromised by pollution. The project team involves researchers from several departments at NTNU Ålesund, and you will be part of the core team consisting of two PhD researchers, and two Postdoctoral researchers. Duties of the position Complete the doctoral training program and successfully obtain a PhD degree Conduct high-quality research within the framework described above Contribute to academic publications and engage in popular science dissemination Actively participate in the research group associated with the project Engage in international academic activities, including conferences and/or research stays at partner institutions abroad Required selection criteria You must have a Master's degree in MSc in natural sciences, preferably within the fields of either marine biology, fisheries biology, biological oceanography, marine environmental sciences