About the position

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at the Department of Informatics.

Starting date: as soon as possible.

The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three (3) years (10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities). 

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

The Department of Informatics

Knowledge development in a changing world - Science and technology towards 2030.

Project description

This postdoctoral position will develop techniques for digital twins targeting marine ecosystems. We plan to combine sensor data and historical data series with physical-biological models in an interdisciplinary research project, and to develop techniques for composing such physical and biological models. Our goal is to construct digital twins that are able to perform scientific “what-if” experiments, for example to study the population dynamics of fish when climate stressors affect marine ecosystems. We will focus on marine ecosystems in the Oslo fjord, where we have access to real-time sensor data. In addition, historical data series of very high quality are available to the project. 

The applicant will be part of the Formal Methods research group at the Department of Informatics, and contribute to the group’s research activities on the theory and practice of digital twins. With this position, we aim to strengthen the group with expertise on integrating and building models based on data series such as sensor data and system logs. 

The ideal candidate has expertise in formal methods and digital twins. The candidate must have expertise in model-centric software technologies (e.g., digital twins, logic and formal models, model and/or automata learning, simulation models and/or sensor streams). The candidate may in addition to building and coupling models also be involved in data collection and in the development of sensor data collection networks. The candidate should also be interested in interdisciplinary research and team work. The planned research project is interdisciplinary, and involves collaboration with the Departments of Mathematics and Biosciences at UiO as well as the Institute of Marine Research and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. 

This postdoctoral position is part of a collaborative research and training program with a focus on the Skagerrak, Kattegat and Oslofjord (SKO) region to improve marine sustainability and our understanding of the pelagic ecosystem and food-web dynamics in the coastal zone where land and open sea meet. This program aligns with UN sustainability goals considering that the declining fish stocks in SKO will be under scrutiny, as well as the multiple anthropogenic stressors affecting water quality, human recreation and marine life. The overall project is interdisciplinary, involving a range of key institutions (University of Oslo, Norwegian University for Life Sciences, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, University of Agder, Institute of Marine Research, Norwegian Meteorological Institute) and is embedded in the ongoing strategic institutional SKO initiative. The SKO program at UiO comprises the Departments of Biosciences, Geology, Mathematics and Informatics, and already includes three other PhD and Postdoc positions.
 

Development plan:

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period. The research group has extensive experience working with postdoctoral researchers. You will be part of an active, international research environment; we invite you to engage in on-going projects in the group, in planning new project proposals, as well as in both master and PhD-level supervision.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Qualification requirements:

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 degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in computer science. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defense are eligible for appointment. 
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Documented ability to write scientific manuscripts (one or more first author papers from Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies will be highly valued)
• Ability to operate as a team player in a multi-disciplinary environment

Personal skills:

We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working candidate with the ambition to gain new insights and publish papers in leading, international conferences and journals. Applicants must show good interpersonal skills and be willing to work in close collaboration with the project PIs and other members of the project team, as well as have the ability to work independently.
 

We offer:

• Salary NOK 575 400 – 657 300 per year depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations:

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than of twelve months ( thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years)

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.

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

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.

Contact persons:

For further information about the position please contact Professor Einar Broch Johnsen, phone: +47 228 2509, e-mail: einarj@ifi.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Therese Ringvold,  e-mail: therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no