Program Overview

PhD in Nautical Operations

The PhD programme in Nautical Operations is a doctoral degree that trains qualified candidates for research, teaching, dissemination, and innovation work, as well as other activities that require scientific insight and an operational maritime focus.

About the Programme

Nautical operations comprise two disciplines:

• Nautical, which covers the navigation, manoeuvring, and transport of floating vessels
• Operations, which indicates that the PhD programme will focus on applied research to support, improve, and develop the activities being implemented

The operational perspective includes both strategic, tactical, and operational aspects, such as:

• Strategic levels, including choosing the type and size of a fleet of vessels
• Tactical aspects concerning the design of individual ships, choice of equipment, and personnel
• Operational aspects, including the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nautical operations

Programme Structure

The PhD programme consists of:

• The academic training component (30 credits), made up of topics at PhD level, divided into compulsory (15 credits) and elective (15 credits) components
• The research component, which is an independent research or research and development project that must meet international standards with regard to ethical requirements, academic standards, and methodology within the field of nautical operations

The thesis should contribute to the development of new specialist knowledge and be at a level that suggests it could be published internationally or issued in an appropriate format as part of the field's research-based knowledge development.

Career Opportunities

Candidates will be qualified for positions within the national and international maritime sector, including:

• Supplier industry to the maritime sector
• Shipping companies
• State companies and public institutions with maritime activities
• Consultancy firms
• The higher education sector with training for maritime professions
• Offshore and energy companies
• Ports and land-based services for the maritime industry
• Training and education centers for maritime personnel

Programme Partners

The National PhD Programme in Nautical Operations is a joint degree between:

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology Ĺlesund (NTNU)
• University of South-Eastern Norway (USN)
• Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL)
• Arctic University of Norway (UiT)

Each institution will offer the programme with individual focus areas, including:

• Maritime Organizational Safety Management and Fire Safety and Evacuation Research at HVL
• Maritime Operations and Sensor Technology at UiT
• Maritime Human Factors as well as Maritime Logistics and Port Operations at USN
• Maritime Design and Product Development at NTNU