Job description

Position as PhD Research Fellow in specification and analysis of information privacy using programming language theory is available at the Department of Informatics.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than 01.10.2020.

Depending on the candidate and the teaching needs of the department, the fellowship periods will be for either 3 years (fully devoted to research and research training) or 4 years (with a compulsory work load of 25% consisting of e.g. teaching and supervision duties and research assistance).

This position is funded by the Department of Informatics and will be part of the collaboration between researches in the area of Formal Methods (FM) and Digital Security (SEC).

The planned PhD research will explore compliances of privacy in data access and data processing (information-flow analysis) at design time, e.g., where private data will be stored and which parts of a system will have access to process such data. To explore and investigate these ideas, the project will use formal methods for distributed systems and programming language theory, aiming to develop new techniques for supporting modelling languages, which are aware of privacy capabilities for data access and data processing. The PhD project aims at demonstrating the results by means of experimental proof of concept.

The FM group works on light weight formal methods techniques using formal models applied to various problem domains, including parallel and distributed systems and language-based analysis. The SEC group works on different topics in the area of information security including general data protection regulations.

Both groups have a dynamic and interactive working environment with relatively good gender balance, consisting of full-time professors, researchers, and multiple postdocs and PhD students.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition is to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Master degree or equivalence in a relevant field of computer science or informatics for this position, such as programming language theory, formal methods or data privacy.
• A solid background in theoretical computer science is required.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• Good knowledge in programming language theory, algorithms and distributed systems, and experience with language-based techniques, formal methods techniques and data privacy will be consider an advantage, when candidates are ranked, e.g., information-flow analysis, static and dynamic analysis of privacy requirements, etc.

Applicants should submit a statement of research interests indicating why this PhD topic fits their interest/background. This statement of research interest should not exceed one page.

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• 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
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English. Scandinavian languages will be considered an advantage.
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/application.html

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

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/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of research interests indicating why this PhD topic fits their interest/background.
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). 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.

Applicants may be called in for an interview.

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 of 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.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

• Silvia Lizeth Tapia Tarifa, phone: +47 228 40852, e-mail: sltarifa@ifi.uio.no

For questions regarding the racruitment system please contact: Torunn S Guttormsen, phone: +47 228 54272 , e-mail: t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no.

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