Job description

A position as postdoctoral 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 successful applicant will be assigned a 10 % workload of tasks including teaching, supervision or other relevant tasks.

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 doctoral 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.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

Applicants must have a PhD or other corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in law, or they must have submitted their respective doctoral dissertation for evaluation by the closing date for applications. The doctoral degree must have been received prior to taking up the position. 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.

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 532 300 – 594 400 NOK per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• An inspiring, friendly and inclusive working environment
• Favourable pension arrangement
• Attractive welfare arrangements

How to apply

The application must 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 copy of their doctoral dissertation, along with a maximum of 50 pages from other academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee.
• 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 Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow 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 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

• Project leader: Professor Lee Andrew Bygrave

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