PhD Research Fellowship in Formal Analysis of User Journeys, Towards Successful Digitalisation of Services

Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in formal methods for user journeys is available at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo.

Starting date preferably by end of May 2021.

Depending on the candidate and the teaching needs of the department, the fellowship periods will be for either 3 years (fully devoted to research and research training) or 4 years (with a compulsory workload of 25% consisting of e.g., teaching and supervision duties and research assistance).

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Job Description

The position is funded by the Smart Journey Mining (SJM) project, a project funded by the Research Council of Norway, which aims to support successful digitalization of service-oriented processes by combining research in process mining and service science with formal modelling and analysis. The overall goal of the project is to develop a theoretical foundation and a process analysis framework based on formalized user journeys. The PhD position will be part of the research community in formal methods at the Department of Informatics (IFI), and in collaboration with SINTEF Digital in Norway and the Technical University of Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

The research group at IFI develops and applies techniques for formal modelling and analysis in a range of problem domains. The planned PhD research will explore logic-based techniques to expose deviations and predict possible behaviours in formal models, driven by data collected using process mining techniques. The accumulation of user journeys will also enable the identification of patterns that can be used to optimize the user experience and service quality by means of executable modelling languages and associated analysis tools to describe, predict, and prescribe user journeys as concurrent processes. This is an exciting position for candidates interested in topics in executable models, formal methods and concurrency theory.

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 Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field of computer science or informatics for this position, such as model-based analysis, formal methods, concurrency theory, process mining or customer journeys.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• A solid background in theoretical computer science is an advantage.
• Good knowledge in software development, algorithms and distributed systems, and experience with language-based techniques to model processes, formal methods techniques and concurrency theory will be considered an advantage, when candidates are ranked.
• Applicants must be fluent in oral and written communication in English.

Applicants should submit a statement about their research interests indicating why this PhD topic fits their interest and background. This statement of research interest should not exceed one page.

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

We offer

• Salary NOK 482 200 – 526 000 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career 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, including statement of research interests indicating why this PhD topic fits their interest and background.
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcripts of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. 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).

Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period 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.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

• Einar Broch Johnsen, phone +47 22852509, email: einarj@ifi.uio.no or
  
• Silvia Lizeth Tapia Tarifa, phone: +47 228 40852, e-mail: sltarifa@ifi.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen, phone:+47 22854272,e-mail:t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no.

Apply for this job