The University of South-Eastern Norway, USN, is one of Norway’s largest higher education institutions, with around 18,000 students and 1,900 employees across eight different campuses.

We offer studies, research and knowledge dissemination, all targeting various professions and working life and with a high level of quality internationally. Our goal as a University is to create value both for the individual student and for business and commerce, the public sector and society in general. We achieve this by utilising the best tools we have: education and research.

USN is a University with a strong social commitment where studies and working life are integrated. At USN, we focus on practice-relevant, profession-oriented and applied research and education.

The students shall benefit from innovative educational methods and challenging studies closely associated with society's requirements and needs. They will learn how to adapt to a society and working life that is constantly changing. The University shall meet major social challenges with knowledge and expertise, helping to promote practical solutions, structural changes and new ways of thinking. USN’s academic activities shall be embodied by a clear dedication to the UN’s sustainable development goals. The University aims to realise this main profile in close cooperation with society and working life.

For more information on USN, please go to www.usn.no

The Faculty of Technology, Natural and Maritime Sciences and have a vacancy for a position as PhD research fellow in Data Analytics in Maritime Logistics

About the position

The Faculty of Technology, Natural and Maritime Sciences, effecive from 01.02.2025, has a vacancy for a 100 % position as PhD Research Fellow in Data Analytics in Maritime Logistics.

The appointment is for a term of three years with no teaching obligations, alternatively for a period of four years with 25% teaching obligations.There is a premise for employment that the PhD Research Fellow is enrolled in USN’s PhD-program in Nautical Operations within three months of accession in the position.

The position is located at the Department of Maritime Operatios and the immidiate superior is the Head of Department. The place of employment is the Vestfold Campus in Horten.

About the PhD-project

The focus of the doctoral project is the application and development of data analytics models, tools, and techniques in maritime logistics to improve planning and control of the supply chain. The PhD fellow will work on topics related to the Value4sea project. 

The Value4Sea project focuses on the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly sea-land integration as part of a multi-transport mode system where new analytics models, tools, and techniques are needed to improve planning and control of the supply chain. The role of the port system will be important to implement the green and technological transition.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in Maritime/Shipping Management, Operations Research/Computer Science, Engeneering or equivalent with documented programming and modeling capability and relevant research methodology with average grade B or higher. Highly qualified candidates with other relevant educational background may be concidered.

The degree must be accomplished before commencement date.

• Applicants with MSc degrees from institutions outside Europe are expected to document language proficency. Candidates must have excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Good command of research methods and/or data analytics. Knowledge of optimization methods and/or machine learning is expected.

It is a requirement that the successful applicant is granted admission to the university’s doctoral programme in Nautical Operations within three months of accession in the position. For admission to the Programme the weighted average grade is B or higher is usually required.

Co-operation between staff members is an integrated part of the working atmosphere at the University of South-Eastern Norway. The candidate must be motivated and demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively within a team and in a collegiate manner to formulate and realise common objectives.

The appointment is to be made by the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post-doctor, and research assistant (Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat - Lovdata). 

Preferred selection criterea:

• Research and project work experience and publications record is desireable.

Personal characteristics:

• Passionate about research and have a high level of curiosity and motivation to learn. 
• Able to work independently and in a team.
• Have good communication skills.
• Motivated to deliver research results through publications and presentations at international conferences.
• Well organized and have a high level of personel responsibility.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
• A good social environment
• Attractive welfare benefits in the State Pension Plan
• Opportunity for physical activities within working hours

Salary

PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 532 200 a year. 

A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.

Other information

• The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant (Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat - Lovdata).
• The Academic Appointments Board for PhD Research Fellowships is responsible for the appointment. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. The candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to an interview.
• The successful candidate is obliged to participate in all common activities relating to the PhD education such as course work, seminars, and other events. These activities take place in campus Vestfold.
• The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that approved work permit is a prerequisite for the employment.
• According to USN human resources policy, it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. The University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons with background as immigrant.
• The University contributes to to the Inkluderingsdugnaden (a volutary scheme to promote inclusion), and we encourage qualified applicants with disabilities to apply for the post. The University will facilitate the workplace for employees with disabilities.
• Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.

Contact information

For more information about the position, please contact:

• Professor Kenn Steger-Jensen, phone/email +45 24205094/  kes@usn.no
• Head of Department Tor -Inge Myklebust Lie, phone/email +47 35575185/ tor-inge.lie@usn.no

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:

• HR Advisor Kari L. Foss-Pedersen, email kari.foss-pedersen@usn.no

How to apply

The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side – “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post).

The following documents shall be attached to the online application:

• Transcripts and diplomas of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS)If your higher education is from a university outside of Norway, we require it to be recognized by the Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education and Skills. You must apply for recognition before the application deadline for this position expires. Add a receipt on your application or recognition when applying. The recognition must be sent to us and is a requirement for behing hired. 
• A copy of Master thesis
• Other relevant certificates (if applicable, must be specified)
• A maximum 5 page project description related to the topic described for the position
•  A 1 page motivation letter
• Documentation of English proficiency [if required for the position]
• Any scientific publications and a list of these
• Contact information of three references 

Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified.

If your higher education is from a university outside of Norway, we require it to be recognized by the Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education and Skills. You must apply for the recognition before the application deadline for this position expires. Add a receipt on your application or recognition when applying. The recognition must be sent to us and is a requirement for being hired.

The research area for the position may include technologies referred to in the Ministry's export control regulations. Relevant license or security clearances may therefore be required.

The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline.

The University has been awarded a Charter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.

Apply for the post