Job description

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship under supervision of Assoc. Prof. Kyrre Glette available at the Department of Informatics.

The fellowship period is 3 years. The Department of Informatics may offer the candidate 1 additional year; the 4 years position then entails a compulsory workload of 25% that consists of teaching and supervision duties.

Starting date no later than 01.10.2019.

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

More about the position

The Postdoctoral fellow will carry out research on AI and machine learning techniques (including search / optimization) for robotic systems. The precise focus of the project will be decided jointly between the postdoctoral candidate and the supervisor, however we wish to concentrate our research around the following topics:

- Co-optimization of robot bodies and behaviors

- Development of bio-inspired or neuroscience-inspired behavior, especially locomotion, and how this relates to the robot’s morphology

- Rhythmic behavior in robotic collectives, including entrainment and synchronization methods

Taking inspiration from principles found in nature and the human brain will be relevant. The work can range from theoretical development and testing in simulation, to more practical application on real robots and rapid prototyping.

The candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with the highly interdisciplinary network in the RITMO Centre of Excellence, including experts in cognitive neuroscience and music, and AI / robotics researchers in the Robotics and Intelligent Systems group at the Department of Informatics.

State-of-the-art prototyping and motion capture facilities are available. The compulsory work load will include contributing to joint machine learning activities at the Department of Informatics, as well as teaching and supervision tasks.

Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates 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.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and are 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, robotics, mathematics, or other relevant field is required. 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 (07.April.2019). The thesis must have been approved and defended before appointment.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position is required
• Advantage: Experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence, evolutionary optimization, or similar topics
• Advantage: Experience with robotics techniques (simulations, real robot experimentation, prototyping, combinations with machine learning)
• Advantage: High-quality research publications in the above fields
• Advantage: Strong programming skills
• Advantage: Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.

We offer

• salary NOK 515 200 – 597 400 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 must include

• Cover letter, including a statement of motivation, a very brief summary of scientific work, and an outline of research interests and research propositions related to the above described project
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• 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. 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 as well as the candidate’s 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 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.

Contact information

• Asscoiated Professor Kyrre Glette, e-mail; kyrrehg@ifi.uio.no, phone +47-22841695

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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