Professor in Urban Analytics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

In an era of big data and smart cities, significant repositories of data are becoming available for planners, decision-makers and communities. The opportunity exists to utilize this data to support evidenced based decision making and collectively plan for the future of our cities.

The Department of Civil Engineering and Energy Technology has a vacancy for a permanent position as Professor in Urban Analytics. This position will be focusing on research and teaching related to urban analytics, linking the civil engineering research fields sustainable transport, sustainable urban development and planning to other relevant fields such as computer science, smart city development and intelligent transport systems.

The Department of Civil Engineering and Energy Technology is developing a new master program “Smart Mobility and Urban Analytics” at our Faculty of Technology, Art and Design. The Urban Analytics and Smart Mobility track will be focusing on developing and applying innovative techniques for collecting, analyzing and visualizing of urban data. The master program will offer the students competence in cutting edge theory and techniques within data science, which emphasize visualization, modelling and simulation using, but not limited to, e.g. GIS, Space Syntax and virtual environments, statistical analysis and modelling. The candidates of this program can continue to develop competence in a PhD program or a career in spatial data science, GIS or Sustainable Urban Development.

Our interdisciplinary research group draws on expertise from emerging computer technologies in data science, mathematical modelling, universal design of ICT, sustainable urban planning, innovation and Infrastructure-BIM, architecture, the built environment and transport studies.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Planning, developing and delivering courses at master- and PhD level, including teaching, supervision and assessment.
• Contributing in the development of the new master- and the PhD program in Engineering Science.
• Initiating and conducting research within urban analytics, linking the civil engineering research fields sustainable transport, sustainable urban development and planning to other relevant fields such as computer science, smart city development and intelligent transport systems.
• Communicating and disseminating research results both in academic settings and for the general public.
• Performing administrative tasks related to educational, research, and innovation activities.
• Actively contributing to the development of the department and the rest of OsloMet.
• Take initiative to develop major new research projects and applications for external funding.
• Initiating and developing research collaborations with national and international partners.

Qualifications requirements: 

• Qualifications as Professor in urban analytics
• PhD in urban analytics, GIS, computational geography, urban modelling, urban planning or a relevant field connected to data analytics or machine learning
• Documented research work and publications within the field of urban analytics, computational geography, urban modelling, urban planning or a relevant field connected to data analytics or machine learning
• Experience with research networks, and project management involving external funding
• Experience from international research collaboration
• Experience with academic management
• Experience in teaching and supervision in higher education 
• Experience from collaborating with industry
• The applicant must document relevant educational theory and practice for higher education. Applicants who are unable to document basic teaching qualifications on appointment, must acquire these qualifications within two years. OsloMet offers a course on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (UHPED), in English together with the University of Oslo, that meets this requirement.
• Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Applicants who do not have adequate proficiency in a Scandinavian language, must acquire Norwegian skills corresponding to at least level B2 within three years of commencement.

General criteria for appointments to academic positions are covered by the Regulations for appointment and promotion to academic posts.

General criteria for evaluating educational competence is described by OsloMets criterias for evaluating educational competence.

When evaluating the applications, we will emphasize:

• Research and development work relevant to the position. Emphasis will be placed on scientific production from the last six years.
• Experience with research networks and externally funded projects
• Excellent cooperation and communication skills
• Personal qualities that contribute positively to the working environment
• Capability in communicating and cooperating with students and colleagues
• Inquisitiveness, and a keenness to develop as an academic leader
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt teaching and research to the needs of OsloMet and the department, including interdisciplinary collaboration 
• Pedagogical skills and teaching experience, and an interest in digital and innovative educational techniques and practices
• The ability to build communities and networks, research projects, and to demonstrate fresh thinking and innovation
• In addition to being fluent in cutting edge techniques in data science (Space Syntax preferably), it is preferred that the candidate has a background from research and teaching in one or more of these topics:
  • o Theory, modeling and methodologies
  • o Smart environment modeling, monitoring, prediction and analysis
  • o Smart utilities, sensing and IoT
  • o Smart communities and neighborhoods
  • o Modeling security, safety and privacy for smart city
  • o Applications and industry practice
  • o Urban local climate CFD-modeling and simulation

OsloMet evaluates teaching qualifications in conjunction with interviews. 

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required. If there are periods where you have not been in work, under education or in training, you are also welcome to apply.

Expert assessment: 

Applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. By the application deadline, please upload the following documents together with your Application: 

• CV (including teaching and supervision experience and the name and contact information of at least three references)
• Full list of publications
• Copies of certificates/diplomas (including formal education in pedagogics, if applicable)
• Up to ten full-text scientific articles, submitted together with a table of contents and a short introduction highlighting the relevance of the article to the profile of the position and a detailed description of the contribution to the article by the applicant
• A text (up to 2 pages) outlining your relevant pedagogical experience and plans for pedagogical activity and development in the position (“teaching statement”) and the pedagocial stance of the applicant. This overview should also include recent student-evaluations.
• A text (up to 2 pages) outlining your relevant research and plans for research activity in the position (“research statement”). This overview should include an overview of existing projects and research collaborators.
• Other relevant documentation

OsloMet has signed and commited the institution to follow the recommendations in the DORA- decleration. 

You must upload all the documents in order for your application to be processed. The documents must be in either English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized. Originals must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet checks documents in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition. If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact hilde.tverseth@oslomet.no

If there are no qualified applicants, we may consider an appointment to a temporary position as a Professor, on the condition that the appointee qualifies for a permanent position within three years.

We offer 

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Participation in research groups
• Opportunities for academic development in a professional research environment
• Interaction with a diverse student group
• Loan and pension arrangements through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

• Beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
• Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners
• Relocation support, cultural courses and on-boarding services
• Working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway

The position is remunerated in accordance with the Norwegian State salary scale 75-84, job code 1013 Professor. The salary is NOK 704 900– 906 000 per year. A higher salary may be considered for particularly well-qualified applicants.

Other information 

For more information about the position, feel free to contact: 

• Head of Department Hallgrim Hjelmbrekke, e-mail hallgrim@oslomet.no, phone +4767236220
• Associate professor Berthe Dongmo-Engeland, e-mail bereng@oslomet.no, phone +4741362457

If you wish to apply for the position, please do so via our application portal.

Deadline for applications: 20.08.2020

Ref. no:                 20/05270