The University of Agder has more than 1400 employees and 13 000 students. This makes us one of the largest workplaces in Southern Norway. Our staff research, teach and disseminate knowledge from a variety of academic fields. Co-creation of knowledge is our common vision. We offer a broad range of study programmes in many fields. We are situated at two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad respectively.
We are an open and inclusive university marked by a culture of cooperation. The aim of the university is to further develop education and research at a high international level.
About the position
A permanent 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science, as Professor in Artificial Intelligence, at the Department of Information and Communication Technology. The position is located at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.
The Department of ICT has several large and active research groups in Information and Communication Technology including 12 Professors, 15 Associate Professors, 10 Assistant Professors and about 15 Research Fellows on the PhD programme in ICT. The department pursues a variety of research interests, focusing especially on Wireless Communications and Embedded Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Crisis Management, eLearning and eHealth. The department has successfully led a number of large research projects funded by the Research Council of Norway; the EU research programmes FP7 and H2020, as well as national and international industries.
The primary aim of this position is to strengthen the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR), to be hosted by the Department of ICT. The vision of CAIR is to provide an attractive environment for cutting-edge research on artificial intelligence (AI), focusing particularly on machine learning.
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) opened on 2 March 2017. The centre hosts 25 researchers, whose most prominent research contributions can be found within: bandit algorithms, Bayesian learning, deep neural networks, probabilistic reasoning, ant colony optimization, pattern recognition, learning automata, natural language processing, and stochastic optimization. We are in an exciting phase of growth and are expanding our team of researchers.
The research centre conducts fundamental machine learning research, including development of novel theory and methods. The emphasis will be on machines that explore, experiment and learn; deep information understanding and reasoning; as well as natural language communication. Within these strategic research areas, CAIR researchers head or contribute to a number of research projects, funded by the Research Council of Norway and EU research programmes.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the position include:
Research and PhD/master’s student supervision in the area of machine learning
Teaching on artificial intelligence (theory, algorithms and implementation) at the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level.
Required qualifications
The successful applicant will hold a PhD in Computer Science/Engineering (or similar in the area of ICT).
While we are particularly interested in receiving applications from strong candidates in the areas of deep learning, reinforcement learning, trustworthy AI, causal learning, and convergence of AI with other emerging technologies, the emphasis is on research excellence in AI rather than on any particular specialization. We thus welcome applications from strong candidates with specialities in AI other than those listed above. Applicants who are in early stages of their career but with a proven research record may be appointed at the level of Associate Professor.
Emphasis will also be given to the applicants’ proven ability to contribute to the development of external sources of funding in research groups. Further emphasis will be given to applicants’ who show both theoretical and practical AI research, including, but not limited to, successfully applying machine learning in collaboration with industry partners.
All supervision and teaching at the master’s level is to be conducted in English, and the appointee must therefore be proficient in this language.
Applicants must document their competence in relevant educational theory and practice developed through education, teaching experience and supervision. Applicants must be able to document teaching qualifications in the form of university-level teaching seminars or other university teacher education.
Previous experience in teaching English-taught graduate master’s programmes in ICT will also be a plus for this position.
Personal qualities
We seek a sociable person to collaborate in teams. In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.
Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.
We offer
As an employee at UiA you are welcome to participate in the arranged social activities. We offer courses like; Norwegian culture and everyday living for international staff and their partners. There are also department lunches, and our welfare committee arrange recreational walks, training indoor, Christmas Decoration Workshop etc.
In addition, we offer:
An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
Flexible working hours
A variety of responsibilities in a large, exciting and influential organization
Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
A position with opportunities for personal development in a diverse
Environment modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.510, code 1013 Professor, NOK 640 200 - 934 800 gross salary per year. Higher salary grades may be considered for particularly well-qualified applicants. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.
General information
The University of Agder is an open, friendly and professional employer, with a Scandinavian view on work/life balance, and with a clear vision to do research to enlighten human understanding.
A good work environment is characterized by diversity and equality. Moreover, the Department of ICT actively pursues diversity and gender balance for a good scientific environment. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of gender, age, disability or cultural background. The University of Agder wishes to increase the proportion of women in its academic positions, and women are therefore encouraged to apply.
Norway has generous rules for both maternity and paternity leave. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Grimstad offers great opportunities for education and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life.
The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.
Short-listed applicants will be invited for interviews and a demonstration of their teaching competency, usually in the form of a trial lecture. With permission from the applicant the university also will conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.
Application
The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link “Apply for this job”.
The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:
Diplomas and certificates
CV including also the complete list of scientific publications, research and teaching experience (if any)
Doctoral thesis as pdf or link
Selected scientific publications (no more than 10) that the applicant would like to be reviewed during the assessment process. This might be done as link to publications
List of references
Other relevant documentation
The applicants are fully responsible for submitting complete documentation within the closing date. The application and all documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.
Closing date: 31.08.20
Contact
For questions about the position:
Head of Department Folke Haugland, tel.: +47 37 23 31 12, e-mail: folke.haugland@uia.no
