Postdoctoral Fellow in Unconventional Close-to-Physics Computation

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At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

     

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About the position

Fundamental research in the cross section between computer science (unconventional computation) and close-to-physics computing (magnetic metamaterials) defines the aim and direction of the sought research. The candidate will be part of our multidiscipline Symbiotic computing group. Symbiotic is a dedicated research group with strong internal (and external) collaboration, focusing on a multidisciplinary approach as to define what future computers can be and do. Our mission is to realize a new computational paradigm that combines the versatility of the digital computer with the efficiency of close-to-physics computing. The group targets the full computational stack, from materials to computational models. The group has a leading role in European within the fields of unconventional computing, our Comet initiative, and Computer Architecture, our CAL initiative. The position will be part of an international environment with strong international collaboration.  

Are you ready to take your research career to the next level? We offer an exciting 4-year postdoctoral position that gives you the opportunity to develop a strong profile as researcher. You will also gain valuable experience that might be relevant for your further career.

The purpose of a postdoctoral position is to build up a researcher profile that qualifies for a position as associate professor. The position may also offer additional skills that are relevant to the postdoctoral fellow's future career.

Apply for this position to become part of our research environment and take the next step in your career with us.

Your immediate leader will be the head of the computing unit. 

About the project 

The key work of the position will be within our current project portfolio, as well as defining and establishing future projects. The posit will be defined within our close-to-physic sub-research direction to explore the reservoir computing unconventional computing models (non-von Neumann architectures) as a Methode for quantifying computational properties based on emergence and complex dynamics in nanomagnet systems. Nanomagnet metamaterials, Artificial Spin Ices, are the main substrates of interest. Intermediate the research focus is toward basic computational properties of such nanomagnet ASI systems with a transition to laboratory prove of principles to be able to move toward computational devices (HPC-simulations, and Synchrotron, MOKE and MFM experiments) based on nanomagnetic metamaterials. Intermediate the research focus is toward basic computational properties of such nanomagnet ASI systems with a transition to laboratory prove of principles to be able to move toward computational devices based on nanomagnetic metamaterials. However, the research group and hence the research focus may change with discoveries of other materials or computing models.

The position also includes research proposal work, dissemination and outreach activities together with student related work, e.g. supervision. 
 

Duties of the position

• Research at an excellent level
• Academic publications at top-tier venues and popular science dissemination
• Participating in the Symbiotic computing groups, daily operations and strategic work 
• Apply for research funding and write applications and report on progress to funding sources 
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions 
• Supervision of students and contribute to relevant teaching activities 
• Mentoring PhD students, helping them with their research projects 
• Participating in relevant experimental work at international research infrastructures
• Other career-promoting work 
   

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a doctoral degree in Computer Science
• Good programming skills
• Documented experience in unconventional computing systems (e.g., publications)
• Documented experience with nanoscale metamaterial computational substrates (e.g., publications and/or experimental experience)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English. 
• Strong relevant publication track record, e.g.,  nature portfolio, Artificial Life (Artificial life Journal/Alife conference), Physical Review. Other relevant top-tier venues.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge of in Norwegian/Scandinavian language
• Experience with GPU based systems
• Experience with HPC based simulations
• Knowledge of bio-inspired computation
• International research collaboration
• International outreach, e.g., key notes, conference presentations

Personal characteristics

Working as a Postdoctoral fellow requires that you:

• Work independently 
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals 
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject 
• Are flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer 

• An international leading research environment
• An environment with an excellent track record
• Excellent possibilities for international collaboration
• An inclusive and social work environment 
• A department, and group, with sound financial resources
• An exciting job with an important social mission
• Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program where together with you we will prepare a career plan, which contains the skills and knowledge you will acquire 
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues 
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a Postdoctoral Fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 667 000,- per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 4 years including career promotion work / teaching duties.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them. 

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed

About the application 

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. 

The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request. 

The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas for a PhD degree. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• CV with complete publication records.
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you can attach a draft of the thesis. 
• Research plan.
• Academic works - published or unpublished. Highlight five publications most relevant for the position (see the “Required selection criteria” for desired topics and publication venues).
• Possible recommendation letters.
• Name and contact information of three referees.
   

If all or parts of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation requiredcan be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Gunnar Tufte Gunnar.Tufte@ntnu.no.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR at the computer science department at HR@IDI.NTNU.no

Application deadline: 23.09.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.