Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with 23,000 students and over 2,600 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.
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 4.000 students and 400 staff members and is situated at Pilestredet Campus in downtown Oslo and at Kjeller Campus in Viken.
The Department of Computer Science offers three bachelor’s degree programmes, a master’s degree programme, and is part of a cross-departmental PhD program. Academic staff at the department are pursuing research in a wide range of areas including computer science, the natural sciences, and innovation and management. Both students and researchers are also involved in an increasing number of interdisciplinary initiatives across the university.
The Department of Computer Science at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) has a vacant PhD Fellowship position in Artificial Intelligence in the field of Large Language Models in health research.
Area of research
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), the healthcare industry stands to benefit immensely. The "Digital Expert Twin" project aims to develop an advanced AI-based solution for physiotherapy using state-of-the-art Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) models. This solution will feature two AI experts: a Patient Communication Expert for initial assessments and intervention suggestions, and a Physiotherapist Sparring Partner to collaborate with human physiotherapists using the latest research. This interdisciplinary project involves international collaborators from various research fields, ensuring a robust and clinically relevant AI solution.The project addresses significant issues in physiotherapy, such as long waiting lists in primary healthcare, by providing timely interventions to prevent the worsening of health conditions. It also aims to create an educational tool that incorporates the entire physiotherapy curriculum and evidence-based guidelines, ensuring continuous learning for both current and future practitioners. Building on successful pilot projects using the open-source LLM model "Instruction-tuned NorMistral-7b-warm," the Digital Expert Twin project seeks to significantly enhance physiotherapy practices and pave the way for similar advancements in other fields.The position is advertised as a 3-year position with 100% research, or a 4-year position with 75% research and 25% other career-advancing work. The goal must be to complete the PhD program/degree within the decided time frame. The decision on a 3- or 4-year position will be discussed as part of the interviews in the hiring process.
Qualification requirements and conditions
- Master's degree within in computer science or equivalent related disciplines. The degree must contain 120 credits (ECTS). All exams for the master's degree must be completed by 30 June 2025.
- An academic profile that suits the research group's and the department’s needs.
- Good communication skills in English, oral and written.
The following grade requirements are a condition for employment in the position:
- Minimum average grade B on subjects included in the master's degree.
- Minimum grade B on the master's thesis.
Admission to the doctoral program Innovation for sustainability at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design within three months of employment is a prerequisite for the position. If you already have a doctorate in a related field, you will not qualify for the position.
In assessing the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the department's overall needs and the applicant's potential for research within the field.
General criteria for appointment to recruitment positions are set out in the Regulations relating to terms and conditions of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, research assistant and specialist candidate (FOR-2006-01-31-102), cf. transitional rules described in Section 13.2 of the Regulations relating to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.
Preferred selection criteria
- Ability to work interdisciplinary and independently.
- Ability to and interest in public dissemination of research
- Ability to work systematically and under pressure
- 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 make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.
We can offer you
- An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
- Opportunities for professional development
- Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (spk.no/en/)
- Beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
- Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners/spouses
- Workplace in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers
Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway.
Application
To be considered for the position, you must upload the following documents by the application deadline:
- Application letter describing your motivation and how your professional profile is relevant for this position.
- Copies of diplomas and transcripts for bachelor's and master's degrees (which list subjects and grades) and certificates. Please note that a description of the grading system at the university/country where you took your degree must be attached. This must be an official document from your university. Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the university that issued the diploma.
- o Your master's degree must be completed at the time of application. If you have not received a diploma before the application deadline, you must attach a preliminary transcript in English or a Scandinavian language from your university by the application deadline, in addition to an official confirmation from the educational institution that all examinations for the master's degree, including the master's thesis, have been completed. Official diploma and transcript must be forwarded by the joining date.
- Name and contact information of two references (name, relationship, e-mail and telephone number).
- Scientific work that you want to be assessed.
- Applicants from countries where English is not a first language must submit the result of an official language test. The following applicants are exempt from this language requirement:
- Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
- Applicants who have completed at least one year of study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain or the United States.
- Applicants who hold an “International Baccalaureate (IB)” diploma.The following language tests are approved documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). In these tests, you must have achieved at least the following scores:
- TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
- IELTS: 6.5, where none of the sections should have a lower score than 5.5 (only the Academic IELTS test is accepted).
Official diploma and transcript must be submitted before taking up the position, no later than 01.10.2025. If your educational institution is not able to deliver an official diploma by the deadline, you must submit documentation from the institution that confirms that your master´s degree is completed by the same deadline.
We only process applications sent via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded within the deadlines stated in the announcement text for your application to be processed. The documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized. You must present originals at any interview. OsloMet checks documents, so that you as a candidate will get a real evaluation and fair competition.
Other information
If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:
- Head of Group Boning Feng, boningf@oslomet.no, +4767239714
- Professor Hårek Haugerud, haugerud@oslomet.no, +4740203819
The position is paid according to the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, position code 1017 PhD fellow, NOK 532 200 per year.
If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact hrtkd@oslomet.no.
If you would like to apply for the position, you must do so electronically through our recruitment system.
Deadline for applications: 01.05.2025Ref.: 25/03199
OsloMet is a Charter & Code certified institution by the EU Commission holding the right to use the logo HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R). OsloMet is a member of the EURAXESS network supporting a positive work environment for researchers in motion.
OsloMet has signed The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognizes the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated.
The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who are seen to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter law will not be considered for the position.
