Job description

One positions as a Postdoctoral 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 four years. The starting date is no later than 1 January 2020.

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

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 degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in computer science including robotics and machine learning/artificial intelligence (other degrees would be considered if qualifications match). The applicant is required to document that the degree corresponds to the profile for the post. Doctoral thesis must have been submitted for evaluation by the closing date. The thesis must have been approved and defended before appointment.

• 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, 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.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

In the application letter, please briefly describe your motivation for the position and the relevance of the Master/PhD thesis work and other project work relevant for the position. Applicants for the fellowship should have scientific publications relevant to this position, and both their quantity and quality (impact of the journal(s) and conference(s)) would be important selection criteria.

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 scientific publications.

We offer

• salary NOK 532 300 – 605 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• a professionally stimulating working environment
• vibrant international academic environment
• postdoctoral development programmes
• 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
• The most relevant and important publications 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

The main purpose of post-doctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their disciplines.

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships 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 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

• Professor Jim Tørresen, e-mail: jimtoer@ifi.uio.no, phone +47 22852454

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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