Job description

A full-time permanent position as associate professor is available in the research group for Analytical Solutions and Reasoning within the Section for Programming at the Department of Informatics. The department seeks a potential scientific leader with clear research visions, educational and administrative skills and abilities to establish and lead research projects, who will strengthen our research and education in databases and semantic technologies.

The position will be affiliated with the research group for Analytical Solutions and Reasoning (ASR). The core research themes of ASR are applied logic, semantic technology, data integration, formal models and analysis, with applications within Big Data related to industrial and the healthcare domains. In accordance with this, the group’s course portfolio comprises courses within formal logic and logical methods, semantic technologies, and databases.

ASR is a key participant in the Sirius Centre for Research-based Innovation on Scalable Data Access funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN), and also participates in a number of research projects funded by RCN, the European Commission, and others.

To strengthen the Data Science profile of the Department as well as of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the group has cooperated with researchers at the Department of Mathematics on establishing a study programme in Data Science.

For more information about the study program, see this link.

The successful applicant must be able to teach at all levels and to supervise Master and PhD students.

The successful applicant may furthermore be required to take on other teaching duties and administrative tasks, by request from the Department or the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Specific information about the position

The successful applicant is expected to partake in and contribute to ASR’s research activities, with a particular focus on the logical foundations of databases and knowledge representation (including semantic technologies). The applicant is expected to strengthen the group's database teaching with a special responsibility for the course IN3020/IN4020 – Database Systems.

Qualification requirements

Primary assessment criteria will be as follows:

• To qualify for appointment the applicant must have completed a PhD in computer science or a related field and have a strong academic track record within logical foundations of databases and knowledge representation.
• The applicant must document knowledge within databases and database theory of an extent and profundity that justifies the applicant's abilities to contribute professionally to the teaching and development of the database course portfolio.
• The applicant’s research should be well-aligned with the strategy and research agenda of the Department and Faculty.
• Scientific qualifications will play a major role, and the main emphasis will be on the candidate’s scientific production from the last five years.
• A strong record of scholarly publications relevant to the area in leading international journals is required.
• Pedagogical qualifications and teaching and supervision experience at all levels will be an important factor in the evaluation process and should be well documented in a teaching portfolio. The applicant should describe her/his qualifications in view of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) framework which includes:
  1. Focus on student learning
  2. A clear development over time
  3. A researching approach
  4. A collegial attitude and practice

• The person appointed must have fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

The successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document sufficient teaching qualifications (minimum formal requirement is a 200 hrs pedagogical programme) will be required to obtain such qualifications within a two-year period.

The successful candidate must demonstrate mastery of both English and one of the Scandinavian languages as working languages. If an appointee is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, the appointee will be required to learn sufficient Norwegian within a two-year period, to be able to participate actively in all functions the position may involve.

The successful candidate should have an international profile with respect to the above criteria. The candidate for this position will be selected based on excellence and fit with the research group's research profile.

Interviews will be part of the appointment process, along with a trial lecture. References may be consulted.

Desirable qualifications:

• Candidates should have teaching experience in databases and have a commitment to engage in undergraduate and graduate education and in mentoring and advising master and doctoral students.
• Candidates should also be able to lead, conduct and collaborate in research projects. A strong track record in academic leadership is an advantage, as well as experience in the acquisition of research grants.
• International network, outreach activities, collegiality, and the ability to create a good working environment will be part of the evaluation.
• The person appointed will be requested to take on some administrative duties. Hence such experience will be an advantage.

Personal skills

• Ability to create an attractive, inclusive and competitive research environment
• Networking skills, ability to collaborate and conduct scientific leadership
• Ability to cooperate and communicate well with other members of the staff

We offer

• Salary from NOK 694 400 – 864 100 depending on competencies, in the position of Associate Professor (position code 1011)
• A professionally stimulating working environmen
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• The opportunity to apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter
• A research position paper (1-4 pages) describing the applicant’s vision and scientific ambitions for the nearest future
• A detailed CV, including complete list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, funding and awards, and other qualifying activities
• Copies of educational certificates, PhD diploma, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• A complete list of publications and academic merits and awards (if not included in the CV)
• Full text of up to 10 selected publications the applicant wishes to include in the evaluation
• A document discussing the importance, interrelation, and relevance of the selected papers for this position
• Description of dissemination activities beyond scientific publications
• Educational portfolio of 3–6 pages documenting educational competence and experience, including a reflection note in which your own teaching practice and view of learning is anchored in the SoTL framework. The teaching portfolio is expected to include:
  1. Listing of teaching experience as well as work on developing/ revising/ renewing study plans and the design of courses
  2. Documentation of teaching qualifications and supervision of Master and PhD students
• List of 3 reference persons (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our online recruitment system. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

In the evaluation of the qualified candidates the full range of these criteria will be explicitly addressed and assessed.

Formal regulations

As a general rule an interview will be used in the appointment process, usually supplemented with a trial teaching session. The basis for assessment will be the scientific production of the applicant, the teaching portfolio, pedagogical and educational qualifications, the applicant’s qualifications within leadership and administration, other qualifications as well as general personal suitability for the position. In ranking the competent applicants, the full range of qualifications will be considered and explicitly assessed.

Please refer to the Rules for Appointments to Professorships and Associate Professorships at the University of Oslo, the Guide for Applicants and Members of the Assessment Committee and Rules for practicing the requirement for basic pedagogical competence at the University of Oslo.

Pursuant to section 25(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, information concerning the applicant may be made public, even if the applicant has requested not to appear on the list of applicants.

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

The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition and to recruit people with an immigrant background.

In addition, the University of Oslo aims for its employees to reflect the diversity of the population to the greatest degree possible. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities or gaps in their CV to apply for the position. The University of Oslo will adapt the workplace to suit employees with disabilities. Applicants who indicate that they have disabilities or gaps in their CV are made aware that this information may be used for statistical purposes.

Contactinformation

• Professor Martin Giese, phone: +47 22852737, e-mail: martingi@ifi.uio.

For technical questions about the recruitment system, HR Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen, email: t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no, tel. +47 22 85 42 72.

Apply for position