Postdoctoral Research
Fellow in Monitoring
behaviour of complex
systems relying on “black
boxes”
Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at the
Department of Technology Systems (ITS) at the University of
Oslo. The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of (3)
three years. 10 % of the time is devoted to required duties,
usually in the form of teaching activities.
The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the
researcher with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position
within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path,
all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a
professional development plan no later than one month after
commencement of the postdoctoral period. We expect successful
candidate to develop into independent researchers including
participating in preparation of research proposals and developing
a teaching portfolio.
The preferred starting date is 01.09.2021. For more information
on the Department of Technology Systems, please
see:
https://www.mn.uio.no/its/english
Job description
This position will be part of a research group focusing on different
aspects of security and digitalization, consisting of Professor
Øivind Kure, Professor Paal Engelstad and Professor Josef Noll.
This Postdoc will be working with Professor Øivind Kure. The group
also has a post doc position on Societal Security and Trust under
supervision of professor Noll.
The digitalization increases the threat to society. Up to now, a
focus has been on designing resilient systems, where attacks or
manipulation can be stopped or contained. An underlying
assumption has been that it is possible to detect whether a
component is functioning or not.
However, the increasing reliance on “black box” components
changes this. A black box component can be in the form of either
AI-, machine learning- (MN) or autonomous system. The
components behaviour may not be understood, but based on
training or past history there is a certain trust in its operation.
However, the operation of the black box or its input can be
influenced, so the system does not delivering as “expected”. The
problem is simplest illustrated with adversarial manipulation of
machine learning systems for image recognition. However, the
same attack vectors apply for black boxes use in complex
systems.
To monitor whether a complex system is behaving as expected,
or more specifically being manipulated, is not a new problem. The
focus should be on whether the reliance of black boxes in
complex systems requires new solutions both in the monitoring
itself, in the expression of expected behaviour, or in the design
methods.
Qualification requirements
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic
ambition is 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.
Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral
degree in Energy or Power Systems Modelling,
Meteorology/Climate Sciences, Physics, Environmental Science,
Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent. The doctoral
dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date.
Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public
defence are eligible for appointment.
Additional requirement:
- Prior documented experience in digital systems, networks or
related topic
- Excellent capabilities in analysing digital system
- Previous experience or strong interest in machine learning
techniques
- Previous experience with monitoring of complex systems
- Familiar with sensor fingerprinting
- Excellent programming skills
- Ability to write in a structured, clear and concise manner
- Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and
written
When assessing applications, emphasis will be placed on
(we do not expect applicants to fulfil all points):
- Experience and interest in system analysis
- Creativity and interest in experimentation and open source
- Language skills
We offer
- Salary NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per year depending on
qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
(position code 1352)
- Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension
agreement
- Professionally stimulating working environment
- Vibrant international academic environment
- Postdoctoral development programmes
- Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich
opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
How to apply
The application must include:
- Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific
work and research interest)
- CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical
experience, administrative experience and other qualifying
activity)
- Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of
records and letters of recommendation
- A 2-page statement paper on «Societal Security and Trust in
digitised Societies»
- A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works
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)
The application with attachments must be delivered in our
electronic recruiting system. Foreign applicants are advised to
attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please
note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian
language).
In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on
the documented, academic qualifications, the project description
(whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the
quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and
personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates
will be arranged.
It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to
complete the project in the course of the period of employment.
Formal regulations
Please see the
guidelines and regulations for appointments to
Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.
According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act
(Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included
in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has
requested non-disclosure.
Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a
personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender
composition. We also want to have employees with diverse
expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and
perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who
require this.
If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their
CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one
applicant in each of these groups to an interview.
Contact information
For further information concerning the project please contact
Professor Øivind Kure, +47 915 64 756, email
oivind.kure@its.uio.no,
For technical questions regarding the recruitment system, please
contact HR Adviser Therese Ringvold, e-mail:
therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated
institution of research and education with 28 000 students and
7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and
internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an
important contributor to society.
The Department of Technology Systems (ITS) is a newly
established department at the Faculty of Mathematics and
Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo. ITS has taken over the
activities at UNIK from January 2017. The Institute is located in
the Kjeller Research Park, which is one of the largest research and
development centers in Norway. ITS collaborates with the
research institutes at Kjeller, and with industry, while it is also
tightly integrated with complementary activities at UiO in Oslo.
The department has two sections: section for energy systems and
section for autonomous systems and sensor technologies. An
important goal of ITS is to provide wider opportunities at UiO
within applied technologies.
Deadline 8. May 2021
Apply now