PhD Research Fellow in Machine Learning and Distributed Data Processing

Job description

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Machine Learning and Distributed Data Processing is available at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo.    

Starting date preferably no later than 17.11.2025.

The position is in the context of a new project, funded by the Research Council of Norway, called Scalable Sustainability with Condensed and Expanded Digital Product Passports (SecondPass).

The fellowship period is three years and devoted to carrying out research in the context of the SecondPass project. The research is conducted in collaboration with Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research (NORSUS), University of Manchester (UK), and University of Leiden (Netherlands). 

Depending on the candidate and the teaching needs of the department, the fellowship period can be extended for either for compulsory work consisting of e.g., teaching and supervision duties and research assistance up to four years. 

Place of work is the Department of Informatics at Blindern, Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. 

More about the project and PhD position

The European Commission, under its Green Deal initiative, has introduced the concept of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) as a key enabler of circular business models, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve resource efficiency through enhanced data-driven lifecycle management. A DPP can be viewed as a structured, machine-readable knowledge artifact that captures heterogeneous information across the entire product lifecycle to support sustainable decision-making. Functioning as a data backbone for the circular economy, DPPs integrate numerical, categorical, textual, and often multilingual content (i.e., multimodal), spanning diverse sectors such as consumer goods, electronics, and healthcare. From a computational perspective, DPPs represent a large-scale, dynamic, and heterogeneous data integration problem, where challenges include missing or noisy data, redundancy across sources, dynamic updates, and the need for robust semantic alignment and interoperability across distributed ecosystems.

The SecondPass project addresses these challenges by advancing machine learning (ML)-based and data-intensive methods for the scalable design, processing, and deployment of DPPs.

The advertised PhD position focuses on developing ML-based and distributed data processing approaches to address issues of incomplete or redundant multimodal data, dynamic updates, and scalable semantic interoperability in large-scale DPP systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on Representation Learning techniques, Transformer-based architectures, Large Language Models (LLMs), Natural Language Processing (NLP), etc. The research will also explore distributed data processing frameworks to ensure robustness, interoperability and scalability in DPP-based information systems.

What skills are important in this role?

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition 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.

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science or Information Technology
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system is required
• The candidate must have interest and solid background in software systems, machine learning, and distributed systems.
• The candidate should have relevant scientific publications, showcasing research interest and experience in the core areas of the position
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

• It is desirable that the candidate has good knowledge on transformers, natural language processing (NLP), LLMs, and distributed data processing
• The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and be proficient in Python or Java and familiar with relevant programming frameworks and tools
• It is desirable to have experience in working on interdisciplinary projects

• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
  https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

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

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.

What are we looking for in you?

• Ability to work precise in a structured manner and swiftly adapts to new tasks
• Positive attitude and the ability to handle hectic periods

The evaluation considers many aspects of personal qualifications, including organizational skills, strong communication skills, motivation and commitment, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a team-oriented, international research environment.

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We can offer you

• A pleasant and stimulating work environment
• Good welfare schemes
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities
• Career development programmes
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 550 800 - 595 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund 

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position.

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here. 

How to apply

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
• Copies of 2-3 letters of recommendation

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian), Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.  

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.