Opportunities for students

The centre offers a wide range of opportunities for master’s and PhD students who want to explore the intersection of AI, engineering, and maritime innovation.

You can take part in:

• Master’s projects – Work on real industrial cases in collaboration with partners such as Kongsberg, DNV, VARD, Equinor, and the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
• PhD projects and postdoctoral research – Join our network of more than 25 research fellows focusing on AI for the maritime sector. See list of open position at JobbNorge.
• Student teams and internships – Contribute to ongoing research, prototype development, and innovation activities across Norway’s maritime clusters.

A learning ecosystem that connects research and industry

The centre connects students, researchers, and industry experts through a dynamic and supportive learning environment.

You will gain access to:

• The Maritime AI Lab – a world-class sandbox for data, simulation, and testing.
• The Shore Control Lab and ship simulators – where students explore human–AI interaction in realistic maritime control settings.
• Workshops, hackathons, and competitions, such as NJORD for autonomous vessels.
• A vast partner network offering opportunities for part-time work, internships, and thesis collaboration.

Every research activity is supervised by both academic and industrial mentors, ensuring your research makes a real difference.

A pathway to your career

Graduates from MAI-related projects will be well-positioned for careers in:

• Maritime technology and AI development
• Ship design, simulation, and digital twin solutions
• Development of autonomous systems and control centres
• Green shipping and sustainability management
• Government, regulation, and safety assurance

You’ll join a fast-growing field where digitalisation meets ocean technology, and where your work can directly contribute to safer, cleaner, and smarter seas.

How to get involved

Most student opportunities are hosted through NTNU, University of Oslo, AHO, and Royal Norwegian Naval Academy (RNNA).