University of 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 near 950 students on bachelor level, near 450 master students, and over 180 PhD students. The overall staff of the Department is close to 250 employees, about 200 of these are full time positions. The full time scientific staff is 60, mostly Full/Associate Professors.

About the position

One position as PhD Research fellow is available at the Robotics and Intelligent Systems (ROBIN) group at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Norway (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 INtroducing personalized TReatment Of Mental health problems using Adaptive Technology (INTROMAT, see www.intromat.no ). The project – led by Haukeland University Hospital, aims at developing technology that can analyse the user's voice, movement and other properties, and use that for modeling and predicting how these changes with the mental condition. Smartphone and wearables are relevant for data collection, and the system should provide the user with appropriate support and follow up schemes.

The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, possibly with an option for extension of the employment period by 4 months depending background and qualifications for additional duty work which typically includes work on courses (lecturing, preparation and organizing of exercises etc). No one can be appointed for more than one fixed-term period at the same institution. The starting date is no later than 1 October 2018

Job description

The Robotics and Intelligent Systems research group focus on adaptive systems research often including machine learning and artificial intelligence methods. We target to apply these methods within robotics, embedded system and applications like mental health and elderly care. 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.

In this project we are interested in developing patient monitoring and support systems using smartphone technology and built-in sensors as well as other on-body sensors that are relevant for capturing and classifying human behavior. This is with the goal of providing the user with the right interventions at the right time. Thus, by combining partners with experience in adaptive technology and mental health research, respectively, we will study how to find the most effective way of monitoring symptoms, adherence and need for therapist guidance across users and problems.

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, are 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 machine learning/artificial intelligence (other degrees would be considered if qualifications match). Thus, applicants should have a strong background in programming and machine learning/artificial intelligence. Moreover, knowledge in the fields of human behaviour tracking and analysis, sensor data analysis, biology-inspired techniques, and app development would be required. 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, 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.
• 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/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/doctoral-degree-and-career/phd-programme/index.html

In summary, the selection of the candidate 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: 449 400 - 497 000 per year, depending on qualifications and seniority
• a challenging and stimulating working environment
• attractive welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter
• 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 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)

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).

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the eventuelt “project description” and the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

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.

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Contact information

• Professor Jim Torresen, jimtoer@ifi.uio.no +47 22852454

For technical questions about the recruitment system. please contact HR Officer Helene Jansen, h.b.jansen@mn.uio.no +47 22857196

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