Offshore Technology, Mechanical and Structural Engineering - PhD

Offshore Technology, Mechanical and Structural Engineering is a subfield within the doctoral programme in Science and Technology at UiS. The subfield has specialisations in civil and offshore structural engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science, marine and subsea technology, and industrial asset management. The doctoral programme is linked to the research within each of these specialisations.

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Our research fields

Within civil and offshore structural engineering, research is being conducted into structures on land and offshore. This research includes fatigue analysis and the breaking of steel structures, particularly offshore pipelines, analysis of wind-induced swaying of thin structures and analysis of dynamic response of offshore platforms, etc.
Within mechanical engineering, research is being conducted on modulation, analysis and system development within complex mechanical engineering systems, operations and processes. Research activities focus on the development of methods and techniques using modern computer tools for complex calculations such as finite element methods and computational fluid dynamics as well as applications within optimization of various geometric profiles for effective energy conversion (including wave energy and gas and wind turbines), material modelling, product development, production and integrated operations and systems. Within materials science, research is mainly focused on the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for characterising materials.
Marine and subsea technology integrates research with the subject area of mechanical and structural engineering. The work is primarily concerned with the safety and reliability of structures, requalification of offshore structures, structure dynamics, efficient energy systems and wells.
Research activity within industrial asset management is integrated with the Centre for Industrial Asset Management (CIAM). Relevant areas include performance management, maintenance technology and management, reliability-based inspection planning, condition monitoring, integrated operations, risk-based decisions and work processes, industrial services, optimization of costs and human-technology-organization.

Courses

The training component should contain the professional and methodological training required for working on and completing the thesis. The programme is structured with a training component (coursework) of 30 credits and a research component of 150 credits. The learning outcomes are partly covered by courses which in turn are divided into three types: programme courses, study courses and project courses, all worth 10 credits each.

These are mandatory for all PhD candidates at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Students select one of these topics depending on their chosen specialisation. Study courses from other universities can also be selected as long as the course covers the learning outcomes for the programme.

Project courses are supervisor-led and tailored according to the needs of the PhD project. The following project courses are offered:

Learning outcomes will also be covered through completion of research documented by the doctoral thesis, disputation, participation in conferences with presentations, research/study abroad and preparation of scientific papers.

Learning outcomes

The candidate

  • is at the forefront of knowledge within offshore technology and has mastered the scientific theory, research questions and methods relating to the subject area
  • is at the forefront of knowledge within at least one of the following subject areas: marine and subsea technology, industrial asset management, civil and offshore structural engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science
  • can evaluate the suitability and application of different methods and processes in research and development projects in the field
  • can contribute to the development of new knowledge and theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation in the field

The candidate

  • can formulate problems, plan and carry out research and scholarly development work
  • can carry out research and scholarly development work of high international standard
  • can handle complex academic issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in the field of offshore technology

The candidate

  • can identify new relevant ethical issues and practice their research with scholarly integrity
  • can manage complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects
  • can communicate research and development work through recognized Norwegian and international channels
  • can participate in debates in the field in international forums
  • can assess the need for, initiate and practice innovation

Admissions requirements

To be admitted to the doctoral programme in Science and Technology – Offshore Technology, Mechanical and Structural Engineering, the applicant must normally have minimum a five-year master's degree in technology or mathematical-scientific subjects (the degree specifics are stated in the individual vacancy ads in JobbNorge). The applicant must have a strong academic background with both the master’s thesis grade and the weighted grade average of the master’s degree courses being individually equivalent to or better than a grade B.
As the language of instruction is English, applicants must document that they fulfil the listed English language requirements specified in the ad.

All available PhD vacancies are published here.

Contact:

Mona Wetrhus Minde
Instituttleder
51831197
Faculty of Science and Technology
Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science