Job description

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS).

The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three (3) years. 10 % of the time is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities. No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the researcher with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

Preferred starting date 01.06.2021.

Job description

The Nordic and Baltic countries («the Nordics») are leading in digitisation of the societies. Services are predominantly virtual, and the governments actively support the transition towards an inclusive digital society. What is specific in the Nordics is the (i) the inclusive view, (ii) the trust in the society, and (iii) the innovation power thanks to inclusion. Increasing the degree of digitisation leads to increased vulnerability, mainly caused by attacks (ransomware, cyber security, IoT security) and failures on devices and networks.

Societal Security, developed by the Copenhagen School of security studies, focuses on the ability of a society to persist in its essential character[1]. It bridges homeland security («protecting the boarders») with human security («providing the essential needs in the society»). In digital societies the focus of societal security is to ensure the essential operation of critical infrastructures, being a.o. communication and electricity networks. Furthermore, societal security addresses the capability of the state and the individuals to cope with «changes».

The postdoctoral will study how digitalization affects both trust and societal security, and how to ensure trust and societal security in digitised societies. Starting point is the «leap frog» perspective of the Norwegian Government for 2040[2], indicating a society in 2040, where trust in society is high. The Norwegian Government describes the opportunities as «New ways to produce and deliver services are tested out and designed to maintain and increase the level of welfare».

digitalization is a key instrument in this leap frog scenario, addressing how trust can be achieved, retained and enhanced in a digitised society. Aspects like transparency, inclusion («every single human being») and user involvement are key in achieving these goals.

Specific tasks of the postdoctoral will include:

• Establish the sound baseline for trust enhancing mechanisms in digital systems, addressing a.o. network monitoring and resilience of networks and systems;
• Establish a national and international collaboration on societal security in the digital age;
• Relate the research to the «Norway 2040» perspective for the public sector development;
• Interact with - and contribute to national strategies on trust-enhancing systems and services;
• Develop best practice guidelines on how societal security contributes to selected sustainable development goals (SDGs)
• Present findings at academic conferences and publish in scientific journals

[1]

[2]

The postdoctoral will be working with Professor Josef Noll and his international network.

For more information, see:

- Department of Technology Systems

- Research Interests of Professor Josef Noll

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition is to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Energy or Power Systems Modelling, Meteorology/Climate Sciences, Physics, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment.

Additional requirement:

• Prior documented experience in societal security, digital systems, networks or related topic
• Excellent capabilities in analysing digital system and their impact on the society
• Practical experiences in digital system development
• Interest in the Global Challenges and the SDGs
• Ability to write in a structured, clear and concise manner
• Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written, and basic language skills in Norwegian

When assessing applications, emphasis will be placed on (we do not expect applicants to fulfil all points):

• Experience with digital systems, societal security and trust measures
• Experience and interest in system analysis
• Creativity and pro-activeness
• Language skills
• Experience/Interest in working with communities outside of the academic sphere

We offer

• Salary NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• A 2-page statement paper on «Societal Security and Trust in digitised Societies»
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

For further information concerning the project please contact Professor Josef Noll, email: josef.noll@its.uio.no, tel +47 9083 8066

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Therese Ringvold, e-mail: therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no

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