Associate Professor/Professor within Quantum Computing

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NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus on professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 44,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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About the position

Quantum computing is poised to enhance High Performance Computing (HPC) by tackling problems that are currently intractable or unsolvable using classical methods, thereby enabling more efficient solutions. Over the past 25 years, rapid advances—especially the demonstration of quantum algorithms that challenge the extended Church-Turing thesis—have shown potential for exponential speed-ups in solving NP-complete problems. This progress promises broad benefits across computational science, from fundamental research to practical applications in drug discovery, engineering optimization, energy systems, large-scale AI, and cybersecurity.

Defining operational and design principles for quantum computing architectures is crucial to enable realistic programming and computational models that can genuinely outperform classical computing systems. However, this also presents major challenges for the future of quantum machines, making it a critical research area that needs deeper exploration. 

The Department of Computer Science, in collaboration with our strategic partner DNV, is seeking an outstanding candidate for a permanent position as Professor or Associate Professor in quantum computing. This is a unique opportunity to take a leading role in shaping the future of quantum computing through cutting-edge research and education. The successful candidate is expected to establish a strong research program in quantum computer science, with the potential for international recognition within 5–10 years. They should secure highly competitive funding (e.g., ERC level) and have a strong publication record in top-tier venues such as Nature, ISCA, ASPLOS, or MICRO. A key goal is to define and construct foundational building blocks for efficient, functional quantum computing.

As NTNU’s education is research-based, the candidate is expected to teach core computer science undergraduate courses, as well as specialized Master's and PhD-level courses.

Quantum computing is a highly strategic area at NTNU, with an Onsager Fellow position in quantum communications already established, alongside NTNU’s research focus on post-quantum cryptography, and the Center for Quantum Spintronics (QuSpin). Building a strong cross-departmental and cross-faculty research group is essential for NTNU’s success in this field. In this context, understanding and researching quantum computer architecture, computing models, and quantum-based computing systems are of paramount importance.

The position is sponsored by DNV as part of a university collaboration scheme.

Your immediate leader is Head of the Computing unit (COMP).
 

Duties of the position

The (associate) professor will be a regular member of the department’s scientific staff, with privileges and duties associated with that role, including teaching and student supervision. The responsibilities include the following:

• Contribute to research and research-based education within quantum computing, with a focus on quantum computer architecture, computing models, and quantum-based computing systems.
• Contribute to research activities in COMP, the department, and the faculty.
• Contribute to the development of new projects in the relevant domain.
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners, including DNV.
• Contribute to administrative tasks such as hiring committees, educational and research boards, etc., at the Department of Computer Science.
• Contribute to an excellent learning environment in collaboration with colleagues, students, and external stakeholders.
• The professor or associate professor is expected to teach courses at all levels, and supervise Master’s and doctoral students.
• Disseminate relevant parts of the research to a wider audience.

Required qualifications 

Professor:

You must have the following qualifications required for the position of professor:

• A doctoral degree in Computer Science/Informatics or directly related area, or competence at an equivalent level documented either by scientific work or artistic work of the same scope and quality,
• Your scientific background should be primarily in quantum computing, with a focus on quantum computer architecture, computing models, or quantum-based computing systems.
• Demonstrated ability to attract research funding
• Significant contributions to research or artistic development work at the highest level, in accordance with international or national standards in the field
• Strong publication record, including relevant publications at top-tier international venues such as Nature, ISCA, MICRO, ASPLOS, or equivalent.
• Educational competence
• Norwegian language skills at level B2

Additional requirements for professor must be documented:

• quality development in own teaching and supervision over time and a high degree of reflection on own practice
• broad experience with supervision, preferably at master's/PhD level
• initiate, lead and/or participatein the development of educational quality in the academic communities
• competence in knowledge in use (innovation, disseminationand interaction with society) and/or
• academic leadership and elected posts/appointed roles.

Associate professor:

You must have thefollowingqualificationsrequiredfor the position of associate professor:

• a doctoral degree within the field of Computer Science/Informatics (or a comparable relevant field), or competence at an equivalent level documented either by scientific work or artistic work of the same scope and quality. If you can document that the PhD thesis has been submitted, your application can be assessed even if you have not yet defended your dissertation. Documentation of the doctoral degree obtained must be presented before you can take up the position.  We will prioritize candidates with academic work within quantum computing. 
• Demonstrated research experience within relevant areas, including quantum computer architecture, computing models, or quantum-based computing systems, typically through having had a leading role in at least one publication at a top-tier international venue (i.e., Nature, ISCA, MICRO, ASPLOS, or equivalent).
• Peer-reviewed publications in top venues within relevant areas.
• Educational competence
• Norwegian language skills at level B2

For both positions: 

You must document relevant basic competence in teaching and supervision at a university/higher education-level, as referenced in the NTNUs guidelines for academic positions. If this cannot be documented, you will be required to complete an approved course in university pedagogy within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses.

New employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language by appointment is required, within three years, to demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level B2of the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU. 

Preferred qualifications

• Priority will be given to candidates having documented teaching experience from higher education
• Priority will be given to candidates having documented international research collaboration

Personal qualities

• Prefers cooperation to individual or competitive work, shares responsibility and helps the group to get the job done
• Communicates information with clarity and ease, both orally and in writing 
• Skilled at listening, strives to understand first and then to be understood
• Keeps others informed, provides specific and constructive feedback
• Learns from experiences and feedback from others
   

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer 

• exciting and challenging tasks in a strong international academic environment 
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues 
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 
• employee benefits 

Application Process

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

Video: https://youtu.be/bwfNPj8HxHw

Salary and conditions

As a Associate Professor / Professor (code 1011 /1013) you are normally paid from gross NOK 690 000 – NOK 1 000 000 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The engagement is to be made in accordance withthe regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.  

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

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.

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation must be in English. 

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompanythe application as these documents form the basis of the applicationassessment. 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.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

Your application must include:

• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• A teaching portfolio, in which your teaching competence is compiled and presented systematically, (See guidelines for applicants: Documentation of educational competence
• Academic works– published or unpublished – that you wish to be considered during assessment of your application (up to 10 items)
• A description of the scientific/artistic works you consider most relevant, which you particularly wish to be factored into the assessment
• A list of your previous works, with details on where they have been published
• A researchplan (max 5 pages)
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees

It is important that you both document and reflect on your competence. You are encouraged to use the NTNUs competence matrix as a guide for  documentation of your competence.

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. Our assessment of the pedagogical skills will be based on documented pedagogical material, forms of presentation in your academic works, teaching experience, PhD, and Masters supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration, and an open scientific practice will be recognized.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA and the obligations in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment ( CoARA) on responsible assessment of research and recognition of a wider range of academic contributions to science and society. This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will be considered by an expert committee. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview, and to deliver a trial teaching session.

General information

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.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. (delete if not applicable)

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation 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.

As an employee at NTNU, you must continually maintainand improve your professional development and be flexible regardingany organizational changes.

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

For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given expert evaluationsof their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and are stipulated by rules of confidentiality. 

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Head of department, Heri Ramampiaro,  e-mail heri@ntnu.no . 
If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR, e-mail hr@idi.ntnu.no or rekrutteringsteam@ie.ntnu.no 

Application deadline: 30.11.2025.