A full-time permanent position at the Department of Psychology

About the position 

A permanent position as Associate Professor (SKO 1011) of Artificial Intelligence in Psychology is available at the Section for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. Applicants who are qualified for full professorship can be promoted after a formal review process once they have taken up their position.

As faculty member of the Section for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, applicants should exhibit a profile focusing on artificial intelligence and its applications in psychology that integrates well with the section’s research aspects (cognitive psychology, cognitive and clinical neuroscience, neuropsychology). 

The successful candidate is expected to initiate and lead research activities, supervise PhD-candidates, participate in teaching at all levels (bachelor, master, clinical, and PhD), and to carry out administrative duties in accordance with the needs of the Department of Psychology.

The candidate will have the opportunity to develop a teaching profile covering topics such as cognitive psychology or neuroscience, neuropsychology, statistical and computational methods, and artificial intelligence.

About the host institution

The Department of Psychology (PSI) is dedicated to advancing the understanding of human behavior and mental health, and it does so across the full spectrum of psychology: from clinical and counseling to cognitive, social, developmental, and neuropsychology. The department fosters cutting-edge basic and applied research, research dissemination and innovation, comprehensive undergraduate and graduate education, and clinical training. PSI cultivates a secure and supportive environment for its employees. This includes promoting a healthy work-life balance, championing gender equality, facilitating the integration of international staff, and supporting career development.

The Section for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience (CCN) combines research in human cognition with the application and development of advanced methods in neuroscience and neuropsychology. Methods for brain-imaging and brain stimulation are employed to understand, predict, and change human behavior. Further, basic human neuroscience approaches are translated to study and improve human health, e.g., through the refinement of schemes for diagnostic classification or the development of innovative interventions. Much research is done in close collaboration with health institutions across Norway. CCN follows the principle of evidence-based education for the training of both future clinical practitioners and researchers.

Formal requirements

• A PhD or an equivalent academic qualification in psychology (or a related field, e.g., cognitive neuroscience) is required. 
• A strong research profile covering the intersection of artificial intelligence and psychology is required. Of special relevance are applications of AI in cognitive psychology, cognitive and clinical neuroscience, or neuropsychology. The methodological specialization should focus on AI-related topics other than classic machine learning (e.g., reasoning, knowledge representation, decision making etc.).
• The candidate must exhibit a strong track record of publications in internationally acknowledged channels.
• Applicants must have fluent oral and written communication skills in English. The department offers courses taught both in Norwegian and English. If a successful candidate is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, they will be expected to complete organized language training leading up to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level B2 within two years. Employees are expected to acquire sufficient knowledge of a Scandinavian language to be able carry out teaching-related activities in Norwegian after about three years. From August 2025, Norwegian level B2 will be required for promotion to full professorship according to the regulations specifying the Act relating to universities and university colleges. The Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department will aid and facilitate the appointee in reaching said proficiency.
• The successful candidate is expected to relocate to the larger Oslo area upon starting the position to actively participate and contribute to the local working environment.
• Pedagogical skills and formal basic pedagogical competence are needed (i.e., a certification in university pedagogics). Applicants that cannot document such competence at the time of employment must acquire this within the first two years subsequent to their appointment. The Department will support this certification (e.g., coverage of the costs of the courses at the University of Oslo, recognition of the hours of these courses in the departmental teaching accounting system).

Residence in the greater Oslo area is expected.

Additional desirable qualifications

• Prior experience with the acquisition of external research funds and the management of research projects is desirable. 
• The candidate should be well-established in terms of international collaborations. 
• Teaching and supervision abilities are important for this position and the evaluation of candidates. Relevant experience should be well documented.
• Documented experience in science dissemination as well as the adherence to open science practices will count positively.
• Documented contributions to institutional management and administration are desirable.

Personal skills

The following qualifications are of relevance for the assessment of applicants: 

• The ability to contribute and thrive in an active and dedicated research and teaching environment.
• High motivation, work capacity, and strong dedication to the subject matter.
• Good communication skills.
• Good collaborative and relational skills.
• Flexibility.
• A positive attitude and behavior, and thus the ability to contribute to a well-functioning and inclusive working environment.

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications and personal suitability for the position.

Assessment of candidates

Qualified applicants will be ranked based on the requirements outlined above. Top-ranking applicants will be invited to an interview as well as a trial lecture. Care will be taken to base the assessment not only on quantitative criteria (e.g., the number of publications and associated impact factors), but to weigh quantitative and qualitative aspects of the candidates’ profiles. Academic achievements will be evaluated in context of the applicant’s scientific seniority while adjusting for parental and sick leaves. 

Guidelines for applicants and members of the assessment committee can be found here.

Procedures for assessment and appointment are detailed here.

We offer

• An academically stimulating and international working environment
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities. 
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• An excellent pension scheme through the Norwegian Public Service Fund
• Access to Norway’s excellent public services and welfare schemes, including generous parental leave provisions and affordable and accessible childcare. 
• Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.
• The Associate Professor will have the opportunity to apply for promotion to (full) Professor after commence of the position. 
• Salary from kr 720 100 to kr 870 900 depending on competencies, in the position of Associate Professor (position code 1011).

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

UiO aims for gender balance in permanent scientific positions, and the underrepresented gender (women) is encouraged to apply for the position.

The Department of Psychology shall work actively for equality, ensure equal opportunities and rights, and prevent discrimination.

Gender equality initiatives - For employees - University of Oslo. 

Gender equality initiatives at the Department of Psychology: Equality, diversity and inclusion - Department of Psychology

In cases of gender imbalance within the hiring Section, defined as fewer than 40% of permanent staff belonging to one gender, the position will be evaluated for re-advertisement if the expert committee does not identify any qualified candidates from the underrepresented gender. Furthermore, the nominating committee must invite at least one qualified applicant from the underrepresented gender to an interview and trial lecture.

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

Career development at PSI

The Department of Psychology wants to facilitate future career opportunities for PhD students, postdocs and associate professors at the Department. We follow UiO's personnel policy, which requires the individual leader to actively follow up his or her employees, among other things by ensuring the individual's opportunity for development at work.

Competence development - For employees - University of Oslo

How to apply

The application must include the following items:

• A cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and clinical experience).
• A CV (education, prior positions, clinical experience, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other qualifying activities).
• A complete list of publications as well as the submission of 3 published articles for review in context of the application.
• PhD Diploma/documents verifying academic qualifications.
• A research statement outlining research accomplishments, current work, and future direction (max 3 pages). 
• A narrative teaching portfolio outlining prior teaching experience and pedagogic qualifications (max 3 pages). 
•  List of 2-3 reference persons (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and phone number). 

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position". 

International applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English except for the educational certificates which might also be also in one of the Scandinavian languages.

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. 

General information

Interviews and trial lecture will be used in the selection process. The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to the Rules for Appointments to Professorships and Associate Professorships at the University of Oslo, Rules for practicing the requirement for basic pedagogical competence at the University of Oslo and Guide for applicants for Professor and Associate professor positions - University of Oslo. 

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

Contact information

• Professor and Head of Section for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience Rene Huster, telephone: +47 22845162, e-mail: r.j.huster@psykologi.uio.no
• For Jobbnorge questions: HR Officer at PSI, Dordi Stavik dordi.stavik@psykologi.uio.no 

Apply for position

Questions about the position

• Rene Huster (Professor and Head of Section for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience), +47 22845162, r.j.huster@psykologi.uio.no