About the position

A Doctoral Research Fellowship in Open-Ended Artificial Intelligence is available at the Faculty of Computer Science, Engineering and Economics at Østfold University College (ØUC).

The Doctoral Research Fellow will contribute to ongoing research on Novel Methods for Enabling Novelty and Creativity in AI Systems. This may include working with Neural Cellular Automata, Abstraction and Reasoning, Bio-Inspired and Neuro-Inspired AI, Artificial Evolutionary and Developmental Systems, Alignment, Social Learning and Cultural Evolution, and other Artificial Life techniques.

The doctoral position is part of the research initiative “The Digital Society” at ØUC.

Project description

Human creativity faces unprecedented challenges but also opportunities due to generative AI, understood here as machine systems that can produce novel and creative results. Several important questions are raised: to what extent are generative AI systems genuinely creative? How do they differ from human and biological creativity? To what extent can AI systems abstract and reason? How can we enable AI to become more open-ended and therefore able to generate novel and creative outcomes that go beyond what they observed as part of their training data? Furthermore, how can creative AI systems produce novel outcomes that are aligned with our ethical and societal standards?

This PhD project will focus on basic research and will explore if and how systems can autonomously set and pursue novel goals, adapt to new challenges, and continue learning over time, while remaining aligned to ethical and societal values. Weight will be placed into developing non-obtrusive ways to interface with the human creative process with a focus on real-time interactions.

This PhD position, hosted and financed by the Østfold University College, will be part of the MishMash centre. MishMash is one of the 6 national AI centres and will conduct research at the intersection of AI and creativity. The PhD student is therefore expected to actively participate in the relevant activities of the MishMash centre.

About Research fellowship

The Doctoral Research Fellowship is a full time (100%) fixed term position for 3 years funded by Østfold University College.

The candidate will be employed at Østfold University College. The candidate is expected to apply and be accepted in our Doctoral Programme “Digitalisation and Society”. Read more on our website: Digitalisation and Society 

Estimated starting date: January 1 2026 (flexible, earlier or later dates may be possible)

The candidate is expected to:

actively take part in inter- and multi-disciplinary research activities relevant to AI Hub hosted by Østfold University College.
disseminate research results on the project through high-quality scientific publications.

. Video: https://youtu.be/UDMirdRpu4w

Qualification requirements

The successful candidate is required to have

completed a master's degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits according to Norwegian standard definitions) within the fields of Computer Science or related disciplines, such as Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Neuroscience, or other fields relevant for the position. Candidates that are close to completion may also be evaluated. Any appointment is conditional upon submission of documentation confirming completion of a master’s degree at the required level.
been awarded the grade B or better for the Master thesis - in terms of the Norwegian grading scale. If the research summary is of excellent quality, grade C candidates can be considered.
excellent oral and written communication skills in English. For international candidates (outside of EU/EEA area), approved TOEFL English proficiency test with min. score 90 or IELTS test with min. score 7.5.

Desired qualifications

We would like you to

have the motivation and potential in the field of research
have the ability to work independently and in collaboration with other researchers, as well as the ability to be innovative and creative
challenge the status quo and promote new initiatives
see the big picture and take broader considerations into account
set challenging goals and work hard to achieve them
identify and act on unresolved issues
be positive and enthusiastic, even in difficult situations
initiate activities and projects independently
work together with others across established reporting lines

Emphasis will be placed on the following

In the evaluation of the applicants, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.

Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the following:

Prior academic and/or research experience particularly within the field of biologically inspired AI, artificial life, complex systems, and related fields
Interest in fundamental AI research, neuroscience, biology, and music
Proficiency in oral and written English
Relevant publications
Good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities

We offer

a gross annual salary between NOK 590 000 - 600 000, and automatically development with a 3 % annual increase during the period. In addition to taxes, a further 2% is deducted for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
an exciting job opportunity at Østfold University College.
participation in a new interdisciplinary doctoral program and a research group where the project is located.
beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund.
good employee welfare arrangements.
working locations at Østfold University College, Halden (Norway).
a vibrant AI community, see https://www.hiof.no/english/research/ai-hub/

Submitting an application

Please submit your application electronically via our recruitment system Jobbnorge.no. All attached documentation must be in a Scandinavian language or in English.

Application must include the following:

A short (1-2 page) cover letter describing your motivation, your suitability, relevant qualifications and research interests for this position. The cover letter must also state your reasons for applying to the project and what makes you particularly qualified to carry out this PhD work.
A copy of your CV.
A list of publications (if applicable). Include a short description of your contribution in multi-authored publications.
Copies of degree certificates and transcripts of academic records. Higher education taken outside the Nordic countries must be documented by the submission of a dated and signed diploma/certificate and a transcript of grades in the original language. If the original language is not English or a Nordic language, you must also enclose an official translation. Foreign applicants must attach an explanation of their university’s grading system.
A copy of your master thesis.
Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number).

All attachments should be included electronically within the application deadline. Other documentation may be claimed at a later stage, e.g., proof of claimed English proficiency.

Documents to be sent as hard copies by post

Applicants with degrees from: Cameroon, Canada, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria, the Philippines and the USA must send their transcripts and diploma of master’s and bachelor’s education as hard copies directly from the relevant college/university, in addition to uploading them online. The hard copies must be received by us within 4 weeks after the application deadline expires.

To send hard copies to HiØ, please use the following address:

Høgskolen i Østfold
HR-section
Postboks 700
1757 HALDEN

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Admission and appointment

Admission to the doctoral programme Digitalisation and Society is a condition for appointment as a research fellow. The final plan for research training shall be approved and regulated by contract at the latest three months after the appointment is taken up.

The successful candidate will receive assistance in the application process to the PhD programme Digitalisation and Society at Østfold University College when starting in the position.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the State Employees law, the act relating to Universities and Universities Colleges and the national guidelines for appointment as a PhD student, a postdoctoral fellow or a research assistant.

Contact persons

You are strongly encouraged to contact the main supervisor for a discussion about the position, relevant references and the project. For other information, please contact the Vice-Dean or the advisors:

Main supervisor: Professor Stefano Nichele, e-mail: stefano.nichele@hiof.no, website: https://www.nichele.eu/
Dean: Susanne Koch Stigberg, +47 69 608344, e-mail: susanne.k.stigberg@hiof.no
Senior Advisor for the PhD programme: Liv Simensen, +47 69 60 85 61, e-mail: liv.simensen@hiof.no
HR Senior Advisor: Hilde Gunn Avløyp, +47 69 60 82 97, e-mail: hildegav@hiof.no

Other information

The university college is committed to fostering a diverse and gender-balanced workforce. We seek employees with diverse skills, academic backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CVs, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups for an interview.

In accordance with the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25, paragraph 2, information about the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not to be included on the list of applicants.

If you disclose that you have an immigrant background, disability, or gaps in your CV, this information, in anonymized form, may be used for statistical purposes.

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