Fakultet for teknologi, kunst og design (TKD), Institutt for informasjonsteknologi

Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with almost 22,000 students and over 2,500 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.

The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) offers higher education and research and development (R&D) activities within technical subjects, arts and design. The Faculty has approximately 4.000 students and 400 staff members and is situated at Pilestredet Campus in downtown Oslo and at Kjeller Campus in Viken.

The Department of Computer Science offers three bachelor’s degree programmes, a master’s degree programme, and is part of a cross-departmental PhD program. Academic staff at the department are pursuing research in a wide range of areas including computer science, the natural sciences, and innovation and management. Both students and researchers are also involved in an increasing number of interdisciplinary initiatives across the university.

Positions

The faculty of technology, art and design at OsloMet is hiring two PhD fellows (100%) at the Department of Computer Science. The appointment is for a term of 4 years, with 25% duties associated with education tasks (teaching, lab, supervision, etc.).

Area of research

Modeling and implementation of self-organising computing systems based on biological and artificial neural networks, and nanomagnetic systems.

The two PhD fellows will contribute to the SOCRATES (Self-Organising Computational substRATES) research project, funded by the Norwegian Research Council (NFR). SOCRATES is a multidisciplinary project including computer science, neuroscience and nanotechnology, seeking radical breakthroughs toward efficient and powerful data analysis. The project aims at creating a theoretical and experimental foundation of morphogenetic systems based on self-organizing and emergent behavior in biological neural networks and ensembles of nanomagnets. In the SOCRATES project the two candidates will do research in the following areas:

  • modelling of self-organising systems, such as neuron-based and nanomagnetic systems;
  • unconventional computing architectures, such as cellular automata and neural networks;
  • investigating learning in self-organizing neural cultures (biological neural networks);
  • exploration of computational capabilities of the targeted biological and nanomagnetic substrates.

The candidates will work mainly in the area of Artificial Life, Artificial Intelligence, Complex Systems and Bio-inspired methods (e.g. artificial development, evolutionary algorithms) and Computational Neuroscience. The candidates will be associated to the Living Technology Lab and will be members of the Applied Artificial Intelligence research group.

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering or relevant field with 120 ECTS or equivalent with an average grade of A (best grade) or B within a scale of A-E passing of grades, and Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering with an average grade of C or higher.
  • Some knowledge/experience in one or more of the following topics: artificial life, artificial intelligence, complex systems, bio-inspired methods.
  • High motivation for the research work described above.
  • Must be fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Desired skills

  • Proficiency in programming in Python and other languages such as C++.
  • Knowledge of artificial neural networks and machine learning frameworks (for example TensorFlow, Keras, or others) will be beneficial.
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, plan and direct own work, and be goal-oriented.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams.
  • Experience in publishing academic works.
  • Good pedagogical skills (both teaching and supervising) and an interest to further develop as an educator.

 It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active efforts to further develop as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required.

Conditions

  • The PhD position presupposes admission to a PhD program approved by the Department of Computer Science.
  • Final project plan shall be completed and approved within 3 months after being offered the position.

We can offer you

  • an exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
  • a dynamic professional working environment with challenging tasks in an area of substantial development
  • a unique academic and research collaboration across different research groups
  • beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund
  • good employee welfare arrangements free Norwegian classes to employees and their partners relocation support, cultural courses and on boarding services working
  • location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers 

OsloMet’s International Career Site gives information on living and working in Oslo.

Application

You must upload the following documents together with your online application by the final date for the application:

  • Application letter, CV and copies of diplomas/certificates and transcripts.
  • Any publications you wish to be considered (maximum 3), as well as a full list of publications.
  • Names and contact details of at least 2 references.
  • Applicants from non-European countries where English is not the official language must present an official language test report. The following tests can be used as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:

TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test),

IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)

Please apply electronically to this position by clicking on the button «login and apply». All the documents must be in either English or a Scandinavian language. Any translations must be government authorized. Originals must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

You must upload all of these documents. Original documents and valid passport must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. The application must state your reasons for applying to the project and what makes you particularly qualified to carry out this PhD work.

Contact information

For further information about the fellowship, please contact Associate Professor Stefano Nichele, email: stefano.nichele@hioa.no.

For information about processing of applications or if you have any problem uploading documents, please contact HR advisor Mette Bjørtomt, e-mail: metteb@hioa.no.

Remuneration

Salary is set in accordance with the Norwegian State Salary Scale, position code 1017 NOK 432 700-466 100. By law 2% of the salary is deducted as to the Norwegian State Pension Fund. The position adheres to the Norwegian Government’s policy that the national labour force should to the greatest possible extent reflect the diversity of the population. Therefore, we encourage qualified candidates with immigrant background or reduced functional ability to apply for this position.

OsloMet is an IA (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise and operates in compliance with the Norwegian IA agreement. According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) your name may be published on the public applicant list even if you have requested non-disclosure. You will in this case be contacted before your name is published.

Ref.: 18/04038 

OsloMet has implemented the Charter & Code and been certified by the EU Commission with HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) and is part of the EU network for mobility of Researchers Euraxess.

Type of employment Temporary position (shorter than 10 days)
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Etter avtale
Salary NOK 432 700-466 100
Number of positions 2
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Oslo
County Oslo
Country Norway
Reference number 18/04038
Published 20.Apr.2018
Last application date 24.May.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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