About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Robotics is available at the Department of Technology Systems, University of Oslo.

The fellowship period is 3 years. 

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

Starting date is no later than October 1, 2025

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

Jobb description

The Department of Technology Systems invites potential candidates to apply for the open position as PhD research fellow in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. We are seeking a candidate interested in applying an experimental and practical approach. The introduction of autonomous robots will most likely be an important part of the necessary societal transformation into sustained resource management with vital contributions in sectors like development of clean autonomous transport systems, surveillance of future energy systems, space systems exploration, smart agricultural robotics, robotics for the elderly and improved welfare services, and the environmental surveillance of urban and rural areas.

The student will be employed at the Section for Autonomous Systems and Sensor Technologies at the Department of Technology Systems. The section works on a wide range of topics and projects ranging from design of satellites to control of large swarms of autonomous systems. This position will be connected to one or more ongoing projects in practical and applied robotics where we use flying drones, wheeled and tracked systems, as well as legged robots. There are currently multiple projects targeting search and rescue, CBRN(E), and different applications in the defence sector, and new projects are started continuously. The applicants previous experience and current interests will decide which projects they will be connected to at the department.

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.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in robotics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or related fields

• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system

  Candidates without a master’s degree have until 30 June 2025 to complete the final exam.

• Experience working with robots or other physical mechatronics equipment
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• 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.

Desired qualifications

• Experience in areas such as machine learning, computer vision, control systems, perception, control engineering, or autonomous systems
• Familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System) and programming languages like Python or C++
• Experience with designing and building robots or mechatronics systems, preferably using rapid prototyping techniques like 3D printing
• Demonstrated interest and enthusiasm for robotics and related technologies
• Previous involvement in research projects (with or without publication)
   

Grade requirements

• 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

Language requirements

• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/EEA/EFTA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:

Doctoral degree: PhD at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences - The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Personal skills

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team
• Willingness to learn and adapt to emerging technologies and methodologies within the field
• A strong desire to explore new ideas, ask questions, and pursue innovative solutions
• Ability to remain motivated and focused even when faced with challenges or failures

We offer

• Salary NOK 536 200 – 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

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

Your application should include:

• 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, transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work 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)
   

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 be 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.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact:
Associate Professor Tønnes Nygaard, e-mail: tonnesfn@uio.no

For questions regarding recruitment system Jobbnorge, please contact:
HR advisor Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no