NVE seeks a PhD student within AI-driven impact-based forecasting of natural hazards

NVE is the Norwegian national hydrological institute and provides hydrological services such as open hydrological data, hydrological models and early warning systems for natural hazards. We are a main contributor to the SeNorge digital twin on Norwegian hydrometeorological conditions.

NVE is currently in the process of implementing pilots for impact-based forecasting of floods, employing methodology based on a traditional combination of hydrological and hydraulic modelling.  To support future developments in this field, we want to strengthen our research with a PhD position focusing on the development and application of data-driven machine-learning-powered AI methods for impact-based forecasting of floods.

We are looking for a motivated candidate interested in working on the intersection of AI/machine learning and geosciences, and who is excited to contribute to an active and collaborative research environment. We welcome candidates with a strong background in machine learning and geosciences, who are eager to carry out cutting-edge research on the intersection of AI and geosciences of high societal relevance. The PhD project will address the following aims: 1) Combine information on water discharge and stage with data on infrastructure exposure, using multimodal AI, 2). Develop data-driven machine-learning-powered models of flood inundation and elements at risk, 3) Contribute to the overall development of a new impact-based flood forecasting system.

You will work within an overarching internal project at NVE on AI forecasting of natural hazards, and you need to demonstrate the ability to cooperate both internally at NVE and externally to access and utilize available data and models. You will become part of a professional environment with a high international standing at the NVE Hydrology Department (Section for Hydrological Modelling) which has demonstrated the ability to combine scientific developments with innovative tools and services of high societal relevance.

The position will be affiliated with the Department of Mathematics at the University of Oslo (Professor Thordis Linda Thorarinsdottir) and potential candidates must meet all requirements for enrolment in the PhD program at the university’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences as detailed below. The position will be based at the Section for Hydrological Modelling at NVE, with a part time residence requirements in the Section of Statistics and Data Science at the Department of Mathematics at the University of Oslo (UiO). The Section of Statistics and Data Science consist of 9 full time academic positions, 2 adjunct positions and many PhD-students and PostDocs making up a group of more than 30 researchers conducting research within statistics and machine learning.

Starting date is between August 15 and October 1, 2026. 

The Section for Hydrological Modelling (HM) is one of six sections within the Hydrology Department. We work within internal and external research projects, the Norwegian Centre for Climate Service, and contribute to our operational EWS models as well as the forecasting team. 

Work tasks

• independent and team-based R&D work within risk-based forecasting
• develop and test AI-based discharge driven water stage/inundation models as alternative to hydraulic models
• incorporate a range of different data on exposed infrastructure along rivers to quantify risk
• through your work, to fulfil the requirements for the successful submission of a PhD Thesis

Qualifications

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for fellowships associated with the faculty are selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Required qualifications:

• master’s degree, or equivalent, in statistics, mathematics, informatics, physics or geoscience with a documented competence in applications of AI that is relevant for the topic of the PhD. Such competence can be documented by graduate-level coursework, an AI-focused master’s thesis, or relevant publications
• foreign completed degree (M.Sc. – level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• fluent and oral written communication skills in English.
• security suitability for the position
  

Candidates without a master’s degree have until June 30th 2026 to complete the final exam.

Desired qualifications:

• strong analytical skills and strong methodological capacities in machine learning
• knowledge of geoscience, especially hydrology and meteorology, and hydraulic modelling.
• experience with spatial and temporal data-driven modelling, the use of multimodal data within AI, and GIS
• documented expertise in computational methods and experience with Python programming.
• well-developed skills in communication and teamwork and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
• good oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language, or the willingness to learn Norwegian
   

Language requirements:

• 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 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: https://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.  

Personal attributes

• you have a positive attitude and the ability to handle hectic periods
• you are dedicated to scientific applications of societal relevance
• you can give and receive constructive scientific criticism
• you are a person who prefers being present at work and will contribute to the professional and social environments you are a part of
  

Personal qualifications constitute an important part of the final assessment of qualification requirements. 

We offer

As an employee at NVE, you become part of a strong professional community with an important societal mission. We are committed to ensuring that everyone at NVE experiences personal and professional development, enjoys their work over time, and thrives at work in all phases of life. We want employees with diverse experiences and perspectives so that we can solve our tasks in the best possible way.

With us, you will receive:

• good working-time arrangements such as flexitime, summer hours, paid overtime, and the possibility to exercise during working hours
• the opportunity to agree on partial remote work when your tasks allow for it
•  necessary accommodations that help you stay in the job over time
  
• the benefits of a flexible personnel policy that recognizes that our employees are in different phases of life
• employment in position code stipendiat (1107) and an annual salary between kr 565 000 - 600 000. Final salary placement depends on qualifications. Pension contributions are deducted from the salary in accordance with applicable regulations.
• access to a fitness room in our facilities

Important information about the application process:

Attach diplomas and certificates electronically to your application as documentation of your competence and experience. We do not return such documents, so make sure you keep a copy. An extended reference check may be required for candidates who are offered the position. This includes a document and source verification to confirm that the documentation you submitted is valid.

For this position, you must develop a one-page “pitch” where you describe your idea for your research and the methodology you will apply to carry out the project.
In the application portal, you can indicate if you have a disability, gaps in your CV, or an immigrant background. Anyone who checks one of these categories on valid grounds qualifies for positive discrimination. At least one applicant from each category will be invited to an interview. We therefore recommend that you indicate this if you qualify.

The information you provide is also used as the basis for anonymized statistics that all government agencies must include in their annual reports.

Applicant lists for government positions are public. They contain the name, age, position or job title, and municipality of residence or employment for each applicant. If you do not want to be on this list, you must provide a justification. We will notify you if we cannot exempt you from the list, and you will have the opportunity to withdraw your application before it becomes public.

Kontaktinformasjon

Ivar Berthling, Head of section, 90066509, ibe@nve.no
Christina Wachter, HR contact, 92065215

Arbeidssted

Middelthuns gate 29
0368 Oslo

Nøkkelinformasjon:

Arbeidsgiver: Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE)

Referansenr.: 5103378349
Stillingsprosent: 100%
Engasjement
Søknadsfrist: 03.05.2026