Associate Professor in Marine Robotics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) offers higher education and research and development (R&D) activities within technical subjects, arts and design. The Faculty has approximately 3.000 students and 280 staff members and is situated at Pilestredet Campus in downtown Oslo and at Kjeller Campus in Akershus.

The Department of Mechanical, Electronic and Chemical Engineering (MEK) is one out of five departments at TKD. The department offers three bachelor’s degree programs and one master’s degree program, in addition to research and development activities. The department has approximately 35 staff members, 10 PhD students and 450 students.

The Department of Mechanical, Electronic and Chemical Engineering (MEK) has a vacant position as Associate Professor in Marine Robotics. The position will involve teaching basic robotic courses on Bachelor level and advanced robotic courses on Master and PhD level. The position also involves research in one or more of the following areas of marine robotics: development of innovative marine robotic vehicles and systems, underwater communication using optics/acoustics, energy harvesting solutions for small marine robotic systems, underwater simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), underwater intervention and manipulation, and computer vision for underwater robotic systems.

We are looking for a candidate with a talent and a passion for teaching, research, and innovation. The candidate will be expected to have conducted extensive research in the field of marine robotics. The research should be reflected in an extensive publication list in journals and conferences. Experience from research and development work in or in close collaboration with the industry is rated positively.

The candidate is expected to actively strengthen and shape the academic and research work at the department and the university's research community in general, including interdisciplinary work across departments at the TKD, as well as in collaboration with other faculties at OsloMet.

The candidate is expected to initiate and secure external funding for new research activities. Earlier experience with applying and securing external funding (for example from Research Council of Norway and/or EU) is considered positively in the evaluation for this position.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Planning, developing and delivering courses at PhD, master, and bachelor level.
• Initiating and leading applications for external funding for research in marine robotics and related fields.
• Initiating and conducting research within marine robotics as well as facilitating the funding and recruitment of PhD candidates.
• Actively contributing to the development of high-quality education in MEK and OsloMet as a whole.
• Communicating and disseminating research results for both academic and broader audiences.
• Performing administrative tasks related to educational, research, and innovation activities.

Qualifications

The required qualifications for the position are as follows: 

• PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Control Engineering, or related fields.
• Academic excellence and documented high quality research work within one or more of the following fields:
  • development of innovative marine robotic vehicles and systems
  • underwater communication using optics/acoustics
  • energy harvesting solutions for small marine robotic systems
  • underwater simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)
  • underwater intervention and manipulation
  • computer vision for underwater robotic systems
• Experience with initiating and managing research projects.
• Experience from international research.
• Experience in teaching and supervision in higher education.
• Experience in collaborating with, or direct experience from, the industry.
• Fluency in English is expected. The candidate is expected to acquire a working command of Norwegian within three years of being appointed.

Candidates who have no relevant qualifications in pedagogy at the time of appointment must commit themselves to complete OsloMet’s programme for basic pedagogical competence (15 ECTS credits) or similar within two years.

The university will test pedagogical skills in connection with a personal interview.

Desired skills

In addition to the required qualifications (listen above), the following will be evaluated positively:

• Experience with organizing and participating on field experiments with Marine Robotic systems.
• Knowledge and experience in the following will be evaluated positively:
  • ROS/ROS2, Gazebo
  • industrial robotic manipulators
  • embedded systems
  • software development using python/C/C++
  • prototyping and product development
• Experience with applying and securing external funding (for example from Research Council of Norway and/or EU).
• The ability to motivate and inspire students and colleagues.
• Excellent cooperation and communication skills.
• 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 education, a keenness to develop teaching skills, 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.
• Experience with and interest in technology transfer, innovation and patents.

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active efforts to further develop as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required.

Expert evaluation

An expert committee will assess applicants. You must upload the following documents together with your application by the final date for applications:

• CV (including teaching and supervision experience).
• Full list of publications.
• Copies of certificates/diplomas (including formal education in pedagogics, if applicable).
• A copy of PhD dissertation in pdf format.
• Up to ten full-text scientific articles, submitted together with a table of contents and a short introduction highlighting the relevance of each 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 the candidate’s relevant pedagogical experience and plans for pedagogical activity and development in the position (“teaching statement”).
• A text (up to 3 pages) outlining the candidate’s relevant research and plans for research activity in the position (“research statement”). This overview should include an overview of existing projects and research collaborators.
• The names and contact information of at least three referees.
• Other relevant documentation.

Original documents and valid passport must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections 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 HRTKD@oslomet.no.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university.
• Opportunity to be a part of a dynamic professional environment and unique academic network.
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund.
• Good employee welfare arrangements.
• Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners.
• Relocation support, cultural courses and on boarding services.
• Working location in downtown Oslo.

OsloMet’s International Career Site gives information on living and working in Oslo.

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Head of Department Astrid Oust Janbu, e-mail: astridj@oslomet.no, phone +47 91 51 43 26.

The salary for the position is in accordance with the pay for state employees: job code 1011 associated professor 535 200-694 400.

A higher salary may be considered for particularly well-qualified applicants. Law deducts 2% of the salary to the State Pension Fund.

As an employee at OsloMet, you must always adhere to the changes that the development in the subject requires and the organizational changes that are adopted.

The selected candidate, after approving the position, must live in a location enabling them to be physically present at, and available to, the Department.

If you wish to apply for the position, please apply electronically by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.

Deadline for applications: 08.03.21

Ref.:      20/11634