Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Monitoring behaviour of complex systems relying on “black boxes”

About the position

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS) at the University of Oslo. The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of (3) three years. 10 % of the time is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities.

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. We expect successful candidate to develop into independent researchers including participating in preparation of research proposals and developing a teaching portfolio.

The preferred starting date is 01.09.2021. For more information on the Department of Technology Systems, please see this.

Job description

This position will be part of a research group focusing on different aspects of security and digitalization, consisting of Professor Øivind Kure, Professor Paal Engelstad and Professor Josef Noll. This Postdoc will be working with Professor Øivind Kure. The group also has a post doc position on Societal Security and Trust under supervision of professor Noll.

The digitalization increases the threat to society. Up to now, a focus has been on designing resilient systems, where attacks or manipulation can be stopped or contained. An underlying assumption has been that it is possible to detect whether a component is functioning or not.

However, the increasing reliance on “black box” components changes this. A black box component can be in the form of either AI-, machine learning- (MN) or autonomous system. The components behaviour may not be understood, but based on training or past history there is a certain trust in its operation. However, the operation of the black box or its input can be influenced, so the system does not delivering as “expected”. The problem is simplest illustrated with adversarial manipulation of machine learning systems for image recognition. However, the same attack vectors apply for black boxes use in complex systems.

To monitor whether a complex system is behaving as expected, or more specifically being manipulated, is not a new problem. The focus should be on whether the reliance of black boxes in complex systems requires new solutions both in the monitoring itself, in the expression of expected behaviour, or in the design methods.

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 digital systems, networks or related topic
• Excellent capabilities in analysing digital system
• Previous experience or strong interest in machine learning techniques
• Previous experience with monitoring of complex systems
• Familiar with sensor fingerprinting
• Excellent programming skills
• Ability to write in a structured, clear and concise manner
• Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written

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

• Experience and interest in system analysis
• Creativity and interest in experimentation and open source
• Language skills

We offer

• Salary NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per year 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 Øivind Kure, +47 915 64 756, email oivind.kure@its.uio.no ,

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

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