Job description

A position as doctoral research fellow is available for three (3) years, to undertake research as part of the project “Vulnerability in the Robot Society” (VIROS). The project is funded by the Norwegian Research Council. The research fellow will work as part of an interdisciplinary team comprising researchers from the Norwegian Research Center for Computers and Law (NRCCL) and other departments at the Law Faculty, UiO, in collaboration with the Robotics and Intelligent Systems (ROBIN) research group at the Department of Informatics, UiO.

The period of appointment may, in special circumstances, be extended to four (4) years, with teaching, supervision duties and research assistance constituting 25 % of the overall workload. A prerequisite for such an extension is that the appointee meets the current teaching needs of the Faculty of Law.

More about the position

The VIROS project examines legal and other regulatory issues raised by the increasing deployment of robots and artificial intelligence (AI) systems, particularly with respect to addressing the safety, security and privacy concerns such systems raise. It addresses these issues along two main prongs of research: (i) smart robots, privacy, security and safety; and (2) healthcare robots. The first prong analyses the legal and technical challenges in addressing privacy, security and safety concerns that smart robots pose. The second prong examines the legal, technical and ethical issues associated with the growing inter-dependence and interactions of tangible and virtual elements in robots used for healthcare purposes. Further information about the scope and remit of the project may be found here: Vulnerability in the Robot Society (VIROS)

The appointee will undertake research on the legal and regulatory aspects of both research prongs. She/he will work in tandem with a postdoctoral research fellow, along with other members of the VIROS team. Although the appointee’s research will have a legal focus, much of the research involved will be interdisciplinary, drawing on expertise in socio-economic, technological, cultural and political processes, along with law. Moreover, the research will focus not just on legally binding codes (“hard law”) but also a range of “soft law” initiatives (e.g., recommendations, guidelines, memoranda of understandings, technical standards and industry/branch codes of practice). It will also take account of regulatory policy in a variety of jurisdictions.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a Norwegian master degree in law or its equivalent. Other education at the same level may be accepted, based on an assessment in each case, if the education is highly relevant to the subject matter and remit of the VIROS project. Admission to the PhD programme requires the candidate to have excellent grades.
• As the project leader will define more precisely the research agenda of the appointee, applicants do not need to submit an extensive project proposal. However, applicants are requested to submit a short proposal (maximum 5 pages) sketching how they would tackle their part of the research project as outlined above, in light of the methodological challenges they envisage the research will present.
• In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the applicants’ assumed academic and personal ability to complete their part of the project within the given time frame, taking particular account of the interdisciplinary and interjurisdictional requirements of the VIROS project.
• The project language is English and the applicants should therefore have an excellent command of the English language, written and spoken. A good command of a Scandinavian language is also an advantage, though not a condition.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview with the University of Oslo.

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per. annum
• An inspiring, friendly and inclusive working environment
• Favourable pension arrangement
• Attractive welfare arrangements

How to apply

The applicants should include:

• A 5 page description of the proposed research to be undertaken during the 3 year project period, including a description of the aims, methodologies and theoretical ambitions, as well as a list of planned publications. The proposal must clearly demonstrate how the research will contribute towards the goals of VIROS.
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates and diplomas. Diplomas issued in other languages than Scandinavian or English must be provided in the original language as well as in an English translation. Applicants with grades from outside Norway must attach an explanation of their university grading system.
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• A complete list of publications and relevant unpublished works
• In the case of co-authored works, a statement by the co-author(s) must be enclosed explaining the extent of the contributions by the various people involved.

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 and 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.

In accordance with the University of Oslo's equal opportunities policy, we invite applications from all interested candidates regardless of for instance gender or ethnicity.

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

Contact information

• Professor Lee Andrew Bygrave

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