Working Student – Global Supply Chain Support (all genders)

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-yHCN5QS0A PhD Position in Close Collaboration with the Maritime Industry​ A ship is designed once, but it is lived with for decades. Moreover, a ship design company rarely works with just one ship. It works with an idea of a ship, designs that get evolved, customised, and built each time differently. At any moment, different instances of that idea exist side by side: some still on the drawing board, some under construction, others already operating and sending back streams of sensor data from daily operation. The knowledge that connects these instances, and that connects design, construction, and operation more broadly, rarely lives in one coherent place. It is scattered across documents, tools, and people, out of reach of the AI methods that could otherwise make efficient use of it. This PhD position aims to investigate how such knowledge could be represented so it holds together across many instances and lifecycle phases of a ship, and becomes something AI methods, not only engineers, can work with directly. This includes examining how components, systems, and the dependencies between them might be captured in a shared structure, and comparing candidate approaches, such as ontologies, knowledge graphs, graph databases, or multi taxonomy databases, and the AI techniques needed to build and query them, to see where each fits, where each falls short, and whether a hybrid solution serves better.  A good representation should not only describe a vessel as it is, but support AI-assisted inference: surfacing what else is affected by a change, what may be missing from an incomplete design, or what the likely consequences are elsewhere in the vessel. Whether such a representation should fit existing practices and tools, or justify changing them, is itself an open question, to be weighed against the time and value it can bring to the industry. Part of the motivation is that design and operational data, gathered across many vessels and many projects, could form one coherent body of knowledge that AI methods can search and learn from, helping surface relevant precedent and consequences for new designs rather than starting each one from scattered documents and individual experience. Turning that possibility into something concrete is part of the candidate's task, who will narrow this broad research space toward specific applications and evaluate them against real design tasks. The work is carried out in close, ongoing cooperation with the local maritime industry, grounded in real vessels, real data, and real engineering problems. Candidates should be available and able to obtain any necessary clearance to work directly and regularly with the project's industrial partners. In short, this PhD position aims to investigate:  • How one design, one idea of a ship, exists as many instances at once: on paper, under construction, or already at sea • Why the knowledge connecting design, construction, and operation stays scattered across documents and tools, out of reach of AI • How components, systems, and their dependencies could be represented in a way that works across all of these instances, and support AI-assisted inference about missing information or the consequences of change • Whether ontologies, knowledge graphs, graph databases, multi taxonomy databases, or hybrid approaches, together with the AI methods to build and query them, are the right fit, and where each may fall short • How AI could help turn design and operational data from many vessels into a coherent body of knowledge that informs new designs • Whether such a representation should fit existing industry practice, or justify changing it, weighed against the value it brings   Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. About the project​ The PhD project will be part of the Norwegian Maritime AI Center that aims to accelerate operationalization of AI in the maritime value chains. The center shall position the maritime sector for accelerated and successful use of AI. The demand for safe and sustainable maritime activities, as well as the shortage of crew and engineers, are key drivers for change in the maritime sector. At the same time, there is a pull for growth, increased efficiency and profitability, while managing volatility in the markets. Moreover, the sector is critically important for global supply chains and security in a tense geopolitical situation. To demonstrate and prototype maritime AI solutions, the center will address a diverse and impactful set of use cases: Logistics, shipping and business transactions; Ship design and construction; Voyage planning and optimization; Condition monitoring and maintenance; Crew training; Maritime traffic and ship surveillance; Decarbonization and energy management; Autonomous ships and remote control. The research partners are the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, (NTNU), University of Oslo, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, Norwegian Mapping Authority, MET and SINTEF Nordvest. There are about 30 user partners from the maritime sector, in addition to hundreds of members of the Maritime Forum, Blue Maritime, Ocean Autonomy, and Maritime CleanTech clusters. The center will be a hub, orchestrating the interfaces with research partners and user partners to facilitate collaboration, knowledge creation, dissemination, innovation, and sharing of knowledge. The Norwegian Maritime AI Center is funded by the Research Council of Norway and the partners for the period 2026-2030. There will be approximately 25 doctoral scholarships and some postdoc positions. More information can be found here: https://www.ntnu.edu/mai The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed. Duties of the position​ • Take part in the mandatory PhD research education program obtaining a doctorate • Develop research and AI applied to the Maritime Domain, with strong cooperation with the industrial partners • Collaborate effectively within the research team, remaining open to constructive feedback throughout the research process • Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above • Participate actively in discussion with the industrial partners • Participate in activities in the Maritime AI center • Participate in relevant dissemination activities for the academia and industry • Conduct independent research and publish the result in recognized scientific journals and present them at international conferences Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment. Required selection criteria​ • You must have a relevant Master's degree in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Computer Science or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position. • You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you maybe considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education. • Affinity with programming, AI-related tools and a desire to work with the development of applied computational tools • You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme in Engineering • Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”. The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position. Preferred selection criteria​ • Practical experience from industry, applied research, or experimental projects related to the maritime industry and technology • Previous experience with AI projects related to research or the industry • Interest in innovation, technology development, and applied research • Experience with simulation environments, digital twins, or real-time systems Personal characteristics​ To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:  • Balance between work independently on long-term projects while collaborating with the research group • Show good communication skills and open to discussion • Work in close contact with the maritime industry  • Collaborative skills, including the ability to negotiate and find agreements within a team • Present and discuss your research with other professionals and travel to international partners  • Show openness to feedback and external input, while still taking ownership of research direction • Be flexible in navigating the uncertainty and ambiguity inherent to a research project Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. We offer​ • An exciting job with an important mission in society • Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment • Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues • Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK) • Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2) As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits. Diversity​ Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.  We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.  If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time. At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. (delete if not applicable) Salary and conditions​ In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.  The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work. For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment. As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them. For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis. The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed. About the application​ The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request. The application must include: • Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees • CV  • Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position. • Project outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project and progress plan (maximum 1500 words/4 pages)  • Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work • Possibly certificates • Names and contact information of three relevant referees If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well. Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation. When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates. NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission). General information​ A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted. If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply. If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Henrique M. Gaspar, henrique.gaspar@ntnu.no.  If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Lara Bromann, lara.bromann@ntnu.no. Application deadline: 23.08.2026​ ----------------- For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.    Ålesund​, known for its unique Art Nouveau architecture and spectacular nature, is a gem on Norway's west coast. The city offers a vibrant cultural life, modern facilities, and a dynamic business environment. With its strategic location by the sea, Ålesund provides a perfect balance between urban living and natural experiences. Here, you will find excellent schools, top-notch healthcare services, and a wide range of recreational activities. Ålesund is an ideal place for both career and family life, with a safe and inclusive community.​

We're actively recruiting a Head of Operations as we continue to scale our leadership team in Ghana. You'll be the driving force behind the customer experience that defines M-KOPA in Ghana - leading the service standards, care operations, and operational frameworks that deliver financial progress for everyday earners. The Impact 💚 Your leadership will directly shape how our customers in Ghana experience M-KOPA. We've already helped over 7 million customers access over $2 billion in credit, advancing financial progress for everyday earners. It's your chance to be part of something that's literally transforming lives across an entire continent 🌍 The Opportunity 🎧 Elevate customer experience: Lead the transformation of our customer care and collections function — raising service standards, building capability, and putting the customer at the centre of everything we do 🏗️ Own operations end-to-end: Provide strategic leadership across customer care, collections, retail, warehouse, and logistics in one of Africa's fastest-growing fintech businesses 💰 Drive real business outcomes: Your success is measured in customer satisfaction, retention, service quality, and profitability — not just process metrics 🏆 Global recognition: Join a company named by TIME 100 as one of the world's most influential and by the Financial Times as Africa's fastest-growing for 5 consecutive years (2022–2026) 🌱 Environmental impact: We're working to reduce our carbon footprint, having avoided 2.155 million tonnes of CO₂ to date through clean energy products and circular economy initiatives What You'll Do Reporting directly to the General Manager, you'll own operational strategy and execution across M-KOPA Ghana. While you'll provide leadership across all operational functions, the immediate priority is clear: transforming our customer care and collections capability into a genuine competitive advantage. You'll bring the experience, rigour, and energy to raise service standards, build high-performing care teams, and embed a customer-first culture — while partnering with a well-established supply chain and retail channel team to keep the wider operation running at pace. Your Core Responsibilities: Customer Care & Collections * Lead the strategic transformation of Customer Care and Collections, setting and holding high service standards across call centre and BPO functions * Build and develop tactical plans for customer engagement, retention, and issue resolution that deliver measurable improvements in satisfaction and service quality * Define and drive the metrics that matter — response times, resolution rates, customer satisfaction scores, and collections performance * Embed a customer-first culture across the care function, developing team capability and creating clear pathways for performance improvement * Identify and close gaps in service delivery, escalation frameworks, and customer journey design Operational Strategy & Leadership * Define and execute operational strategies that enhance efficiency, productivity, and profitability across all functions * Partner with the global leadership team to shape and localise operational frameworks and policies * Proactively assess operational risks and implement mitigation and optimisation plans * Lead change management initiatives and champion a culture of continuous improvement Retail & Logistics Operations * Provide strategic oversight of retail operations, warehouse, and logistics — supporting and building on the strong foundations already in place * Strengthen supplier and vendor relationships, negotiate value-driven contracts, and maintain best practices for supply chain efficiency and cost optimisation Team Leadership & Financial Management * Lead, mentor, and inspire managers and teams across all operations functions * Own operational budgets, forecasts, and cost-control initiatives * Deliver regular performance reports and insights to senior leadership * Build organisational capabilities that align with current and future business needs Your Environment 💼 * Primary focus: Customer care, collections, call centre and BPO operations * Broader functions: Retail, warehouse, logistics, supply chain * Tools: CRM tools, ERP systems, inventory platforms * Scope: Multi-departmental leadership within M-KOPA Ghana, with connectivity to global operational frameworks What You Need 8–10 years of progressive operations experience, with at least 5 years in senior management roles. We're particularly interested in candidates who have led customer care, contact centre, or BPO operations in high-growth, customer-centric environments — this is where you'll make your biggest mark. Required Experience: * Proven success leading customer care, contact centre, collections, or BPO operations — this is the experience that will set you apart * Track record of transforming service standards and building high-performing care teams * Strong financial acumen with experience in budget and cost management * Demonstrated success leading multi-departmental teams and driving operational transformation * Experience with CRM tools, ERP systems, and inventory platforms * Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field; Master's preferred Location & Benefits Based in Ghana - Hybrid, reporting to the General Manager * Work with diverse teams across UK, Europe, and Africa * Professional development programmes and coaching partnerships * Family-friendly policies and flexible working arrangements * Well-being support and career growth opportunities Our Mission 🌍 We create financial inclusion for the traditionally excluded through a fair, flexible, customer-centric financing model. Our aim is financial progress for everyday earners. We strive to drive greater inclusion of women, youth, and low-income communities. Our Impact 💚 Our technology has created measurable change: * Connected 📱: 2.5 million first-time mobile internet users connected * Prosperous 💰: 70% of customers use M-KOPA products for income generation, with 35,000+ livelihoods created for agents * Green 🌱: 2.155 million tonnes of CO₂ avoided through clean energy products, with over 127,700 circular economy products provided Ready to lead operations that create real-world financial inclusion while advancing your career in fintech? Apply Now! WHY M-KOPA? At M-KOPA, we empower our people to own their careers through diverse development programs, coaching partnerships, and on-the-job training. We support individual journeys with family-friendly policies, prioritize well-being, and embrace flexibility. Join us in shaping the future of M-KOPA as we grow together. Explore more at m-kopa.com. Recognized four times by the Financial Times as one Africa's fastest growing companies (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026), named on CNBC's World’s Top Fintech Companies 2025 & 2026 and by TIME100 Most influential companies in the world 2023 and 2024 , we've served over 10 million customers, unlocking $2 billion in cumulative credit for the everyday earners across Africa, in addition to over 10,000 e-bikes financed in Kenya. Important Notice M-KOPA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained staff. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. M-KOPA explicitly prohibits the use of Forced or Child Labour and respects the rights of its employees to agree to terms and conditions of employment voluntarily, without coercion, and freely terminate their employment on appropriate notice. M-KOPA shall ensure that its Employees are of legal working age and shall comply with local laws for youth employment or student work, such as internships or apprenticeships.  M-KOPA does not collect/charge any money as a pre-employment or post-employment requirement. This means that we never ask for ‘recruitment fees’, ‘processing fees’, ‘interview fees’, or any other kind of money in exchange for offer letters or interviews at any time during the hiring process. Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisting and interviews will take place at any stage during the recruitment process. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is selected before the advertised closing date. If your application is successful M-KOPA undertakes pre-employment background checks as part of its recruitment process, these include; criminal records, identification verification, academic qualifications, employment dates and employer references.