Ledig stilling på Universitetet i Oslo

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PhD Research Fellow in Reducing Vulnerability Regarding (Healthcare) Robotics

Deadline: 23.09.2019

Job description

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.


The Department of Informatics (IFI) is one of nine departments belonging to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. IFI is Norway’s

largest university department for general education and research in Computer Science and related topics.


The Department has more than 1400 students on bachelor level, 600 master students, and over 240 PhDs and postdocs. The overall staff of the Department is close to 370 employees, about 280 of these in full time positions. The full time scientific staff is 75, mostly Full/Associate Professors.

Flere stillinger fra Universitetet i Oslo

One positions as a PhD research fellow is available at the Robotics and Intelligent Systems (ROBIN) group at the Department of Informatics. University of Oslo is Norway’s largest university department for education and research in Computer Science and related topics, as a part of the Research Council of Norway funded project Vulnerability in the Robot Society (VIROS, 2019-2023). The goal of the fellowship is to develop knowledge about and technology for reducing vulnerabilities regarding robotics. The focus will be on privacy, security and safety, particularly in healthcare contexts.

The fellowship will be for a period of three years, possibly with an option for extension of the employment period for one more year depending on background and qualifications for additional duty work which typically includes work on courses (lecturing, preparation and organizing of exercises etc). The starting date is no later than 1 January 2020.

More about the position

The Robotics and Intelligent Systems research group focus on adaptive systems research often including biologically inspired methods. We target to apply these methods within robotics and embedded systems for real-world applications. We are also interested in studying human and robotic motion using motion capture analysis and apply this knowledge in designing adaptive robotic or computing systems.

The VIROS project is a cross-disciplinary collaboration between the Department of Private Law and Department of Informatics at the University of Oslo and some other departments and partners. Its aims at developing technology and proposals for regulatory measures to reduce vulnerabilities regarding robotics. The research in the position will to some extent depend on the candidate with focus on technology for sensing, design and control within robotics being relevant with regards to reducing vulnerabilities within healthcare contexts.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for this fellowship 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 computer science including robotics and machine learning/artificial intelligence (other degrees would be considered if qualifications match). Thus, applicants should have a strong background in programming, robotics and machine learning/artificial intelligence. Moreover, knowledge in the fields of motion tracking and analysis, human–robot interaction, healthcare robotics (hospital and/or home environment), sensor data analysis, rapid prototyping, simulation, and/or behavior modeling would be an advantage. A number of partners are involved in the project so collaboration skills would also be assessed. Further, having scientific publications would be an advantage.

- 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

- the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system

  • In the application letter, please briefly describe your motivation for the position and the relevance of the Master thesis work and other project work relevant for the position.
  • All Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate high English language skills. International applicants must document these skills prior to admission to the PhD programme by passing one of the following tests with these or better grades:

- TOEFL - Test of English as Foreign Language, internet based test (IBT). Minimum total score: 80

- IELTS - International English Language Testing Service. Minimum overall band score: 6.5

- Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge PTE Academic Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum overall score: 62

- Please see here for exemptions to the English requirements.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. Thus, 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/ and https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

In summary, the selection of the candidate(s) for the position would be based on relevant knowledge and experience in the areas described above, education results and possible scientific publications.

We offer

  • salary for PhD (code 1017), Pay grade: 479 600 – 523 200 per year, depending on qualifications and seniority
  • a professionally stimulating working environment
  • vibrant international academic environment
  • attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system using the “Apply for this job” button, and must include:

  • Application letter (including motivation and relevance for the position)
  • CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work – scientific publications)
  • Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
  • Documentation of English proficiency
  • The most relevant and important publications (if any) and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee (maximum 5)
  • Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

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.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

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. Thus, we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of gender or ethnicity but would like to specifically encourage female candidates to apply.

Contact information

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

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