PhD Research Fellow in Artistic Research – AI in Artistic Processes

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PhD position

At the Art Academy – Department of Contemporary Art, Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design (KMD), there is a vacant position as PhD Research Fellow (100%) in Artistic Research connected to the newly formed MishMash Centre for AI and Creativity. The position is for a fixed-term period of four years, with a desired start date of September 1, 2026.

About the project/work tasks:

MishMash Centre for AI and Creativity is a Norwegian AI centre funded by the Research Council of Norway (2025-2030). It comprises more than 200 faculty members from many higher education institutions in Norway, in collaboration with numerous public and private sector partners. The primary objective of MishMash is to create, explore, and reflect on AI for, through, and in creative practices. MishMash researchers will investigate AI’s impact on creative processes, develop innovative CoCreative AI systems and educational strategies, and address AI’s ethical, cultural, legal, and societal implications in creative domains. See mishmash.no for more information.

The appointed candidate will join MishMash’s Work Package 2: AI in Artistic Processes led by Dr. Budhaditya Chattopadhyay. The candidate will also be working closely with the rest of the research team from Work Package 2, collaborate across the MishMash network, and participate in all relevant MishMash activities.  

We are looking for an innovative PhD project. The applicant must critically articulate the connection between the artistic research project and the relevance for MishMash Work Package 2: AI in artistic processes in their application. The artistic practice must be at the centre of the PhD result. The artistic result is to be an independent work that meets international standards in terms of level and ethical requirements within the subject area. Reflection material should grant others access to the working methods and insights that the artistic research generates.

Applications will be assessed based on the criteria outlined in the program description for the PhD program, the candidate's artistic practice, and the proposed research project’s quality and relevance for to the Work Package 2 of MishMash Centre for AI and Creativity.  Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the profile of the PhD program in artistic research at the faculty when designing their project, and to incorporate this profile into their project description. Further information about the PhD program at KMD can be found here.

The department will host an online orientation meeting for the position 8 January 2025 at 12.00 hrs (CET). Participate at: https://uib.zoom.us/j/63150817976?pwd=sgJLVvnDnpffDYKfJX5a4iFrTveazN.1

Project Description: 
The project description should place the project in a subject/research field, and present the theme, problems and research questions, context, methods, and plan for dissemination of results. The project description should present the project's placement and relevance to the artistic research environment at the department as well as WP2 of MishMash Centre for AI and Creativity, explaining any specific needs for academic and material resources, as well as addressing any legal and ethical considerations. Applicants must also indicate potential collaborating institutions and partners. We also request a separate progress plan for the various parts of the artistic research. Refer to Section 2.1 of the Program Description and our guide for writing a project description for more information about what the application should typically include.

 

About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):

The following conditions apply to the position:

A PhD position shall lead to the completion of a doctoral degree and contribute to qualifying the candidate for relevant careers in higher education and research institutions, as well as in other sectors of the workforce where research expertise is required.

The total employment period is 4 years. Three years will be dedicated to the doctoral research work. The remaining time will be allocated to other career-promoting activities including teaching, supervision etc., aimed at qualifying the candidate for relevant careers requiring research expertise. A career plan shall be developed specifying the competencies that the research fellow is expected to acquire. The institution is responsible for ensuring that the career plan is followed up and that the research fellow has access to career guidance throughout the doctoral programme.

There is a residency requirement for PhD candidates employed at the faculty.

About the research training:  
As a PhD candidate, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen. A final plan for the implementation of the research training must be approved by the faculty within three months after you have started work in the position.  

The candidate is required to complete the mandatory joint training component in the National Research School in Artistic Research. 

Qualifications and personal qualities:

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a bachelor's and master's degree in contemporary art, (fine art, media arts, sound art etc.), totalling a minimum of five years of higher education. The degrees must be completed before the application deadline. Exceptionally, equivalent qualifications may be considered in accordance with the Norwegian Qualifications Framework, level 7
• Applicants must have experience in artistic practice and production at a high level.
• Applicants must have experience in the application of Artificial Intelligence in the arts.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate strong collaboration skills.
• Applicants must have proficient written and oral English skills.

Personal and interpersonal qualities will be emphasized, with consideration given to ambitions and potential.

If the appointed candidate does not have proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 at the time of employment, the institution will offer free Norwegian language training with the aim of achieving at least this level. 

We can offer:

• Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment.
• A position as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017) with an annual salary of NOK 568 700 gross. A mandatory 2% contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. Further promotion is made in accordance with length of service.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

Documentation of formal qualifications. This includes diplomas/degree certificates and academic transcript of records for completed Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

• In addition:
  • For education completed in the Nordic countries or within the EU/EEA, a Diploma Supplement or an authorized translation must be provided if the diploma and academic transcript of records are in a language other than Scandinavian or English.
  • For education completed outside the EU/EEA, recognition from HK-dir is required. This recognition must be obtained by the application deadline. In addition, an authorized translation must be provided if the diplomas/degree certificates and academic transcript of records are in a language other than Scandinavian or English.
• Project description of up to 3000 words.  
• Progress plan.
• Budget (download template here).
• Documentation of relevant artistic practice.
• CV
• A brief statement outlining the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position.

It is desirable to include the names and contact information of two references. One of these should preferably be the main supervisor for your MA

Applications and attachments with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded to JobbNorge.

Please note: Applications lacking documentation at the application deadline will not be considered, and it will not be possible to submit additional documents afterward.

No written evaluations of applications will be provided. Shortlisted candidates will be called in to an interview. 

General information:

Contact information for the department head Katrine Hjelde, phone +47 455 19 545, e-mail: Katrine.Hjelde@uib.no  or the project WP2 leader, Budhaditya Chattopadhyay.  e-mail: Budhaditya.Chattopadhyay@uib.no  

For technical questions related to the application process, please contact HR at KMD, email: hrkmd@uib.no 

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrtp6VxMeJ4&index=2&list=PLf8ZIYfAO0qjhROTj6SthDbSScg0lSO6G