Ph.D. fellowship position in Deep Reinforcement Learning - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Faculty of Technology, Art & Design (TKD) announces one open PhD fellowship in the area of Deep Reinforcement Learning. This is an open position within this field, and we are seeking the best candidates possible, allowing applicants to propose their own.

The PhD-program at TKD has a multidisciplinary profile and offers a variety of topics within engineering science. The program is a collaboration with the research center on digital engineering: SimulaMet. TKD is an important contributor to OsloMet’s Strategic goal of being a leading provider of research and education for solving the big Challenges for society - today and in the future.

For more information about the program, please see the following website.

The Ph.D. Fellow will be affiliated with the OsloMet AI Lab.

Basic and applied artificial intelligence is a strategic research area for our Faculty. We are in particular interested in research within the following areas:

• Applied Deep Reinforcement Learning within the industry or towards solving one of the EU Sustainable Development Goal
• Particularly innovative research ideas in Deep Reinforcement Learning.

Applicants must provide a short description of a project on Deep Reinforcement Learning that can lead to either theoretical breakthroughs or to novel applications of Deep Reinforcement Learning in new domains.

The fellowship will be for a period of three years, or alternatively, four years including 25% compulsory work (teaching and supervision activities or research administrative work). The decision on whether a 3 or 4 year position is suitable will be discussed as part of the interview process. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty to obtain the degree PhD.

A potential main supervisor at the Faculty of Technology, Art & Design must be listed in the final application from one of the departments: Department of Computer Science, Department of Mechanical, Electronic and Chemical Engineering,  Department of Civil Engineering and Energy Technology, Department of Art, Design and Drama or Department of Product Design.  Where possible, a co-supervisor from OsloMet or elsewhere should also be listed.

Qualification requirements

We are looking for candidates that have:

• Master’s thesis in computer science, electrical engineering or related fields (equivalent to 120 credits) with an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E passing of grades and a
• Bachelor’s degree  with a grade C or better with a background in an area relevant for the PhD project
• Proficient in written and oral English
• Good knowledge in machine learning techniques
• Good programming skills especially in Python, or other related programming languages.
• It is desirable to provide a link to own git repository (where relevant).

The Ph.D. fellow presupposes admittance at the faculty’s Ph.D. program in Engineering Science.  Candidates who already holds a PhD in the same or similar field can not apply.

When assessing and ranking the qualified applicants emphasis will be placed on

• Past scientific work (where relevant)
• Experience with deep reinforcement learning
• Experience with Markov Decision Processes
• Experience with multi-agent systems
• Experience with deep learning
• We are looking for applicants who
  The ability to work systematically and pro-actively
• The ability to finish tasks
• Motivation for contribution in the field of research

It is important to 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. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have experienced periods where you have not been in work, education or training.

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.
• Working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers.

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway. 

Expert committee and documentation requirements 

In order to be considered for the position you must upload the following documents together with your online application by the final date for the application: 

• Application letter, describing your motivations for applying to this fellowship as well as a short overview of the qualifications, technical skills, experience, and personal skills that make you an attractive candidate for a successful and productive completion of this work. 
• CV and copies of diplomas/certificates including all grades. 
  Copy of MSc thesis 
• project proposal which indicates that the project will realistically lead to a doctoral degree within a three-year period. The proposal should include: Research questions, theory and method, relevant knowledge within the research area, a schedule for the educational and research plan. The project proposal should not exceed 5 pages (excluding references) and include the name of the proposed main supervisor. 
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, email, and telephone number). 
• Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to include a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree.
• Applicants from countries where English is not the first language must present an official language test report. The following tests qualify as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are: 
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test). 
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test is accepted). 
• The following applicants are exempt from the above mentioned language requirements: 
  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries. 
  • Applicants who have completed one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA. 
  • Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. 

Please apply electronically to this position. All the documents must be written in English. Any translations must be authorized by government. You must upload all of these documents. 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.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Other information

For information about the position, contact:

• Professor Anis Yazidi, email: anis.yazidi@oslomet.no 
• Associate Professor Gustavo Mello: gustavom@oslomet.no

Salary is set in accordance with the Norwegian State Salary Scale, position code 1017 PhD Fellowship, pay grade 54, NOK 491 200. By law 2% of the salary is deducted as to the Norwegian State Pension Fund.

The position adheres to the Norwegian Government’s policy that the national labour force should to the greatest possible extent reflect the diversity of the population. Therefore, we encourage qualified candidates with immigrant background or reduced functional ability to apply for this position. OsloMet is an IA (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise and operates in compliance with the Norwegian IA agreement.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) your name may be published on the public applicant list even if you have requested non-disclosure. You will in this case be contacted before your name is published.

Please apply electronically to this position by clicking on the button «Click here and apply».

Ref: 21/05774

Deadline for applications: August 22nd 2021