A full time position as Associate Professor in Space systems and technologies is available at the University of Oslo (UiO), Department of Technology Systems (ITS).
We are seeking a candidate with interest and experience in space systems and technologies, with a solid scientific and technological background, and a passion for teaching and teamwork. The position is part of an ongoing expansion of space research and education at ITS.
The Department of Technology Systems at Kjeller (ITS) is focused on applied research in sustainable energy, autonomous systems, space, and security. ITS hosts the Centre for Space Sensors and Systems (CENSSS), which addresses challenges and opportunities in “new space” earth observation, as well as exploration of the Moon and Mars. CENSSS is a Center for Research Based Innovation (SFI) funded for 8 years, collaborating with several industrial partners. The center incorporates operation of the ground penetrating radar RIMFAX on the NASA Perseverance rover on Mars.
About the position
This position shall strengthen our research, education and innovation in new space systems for earth observation using small satellites, as well as space exploration. This includes sensors and sensor systems, new-space satellite system design, assembly, integration, test, operation and utilization, as well as novel sensors for planetary resource mapping and exploitation. The position includes responsibility for the development, implementation, and operation of our new master’s degree program in Space systems.
Applicants must document academic qualifications in their field, equivalent to Associate professor position. The successful applicant must be able to teach at all levels and to supervise Master and PhD students.
The successful applicant may furthermore be required to take on other teaching duties and administrative tasks, by request from the Department or the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Qualification requirements
Required qualifications
- Applicants must have completed a doctoral degree in space technology, physics, electronics, robotics, or other relevant areas, and must have a strong scientific record of accomplishments relevant to practical realization of space systems
- Pedagogical qualifications and teaching and supervision experience at all levels will be an important factor in the evaluation process and should be well documented in a teaching portfolio. The applicant should describe her/his qualifications in view of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) framework which includes:
- Focus on student learning
- A clear development over time
- A researching approach
- A collegial attitude and practice
- The successful applicant must have fluent oral and written communication skills in both in a Scandinavian language and in English
The position requires mastery of both English and one of the Scandinavian languages as working languages. If an appointee is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, the appointee will be required to learn sufficient Norwegian within a two-year period, to be able to participate actively in all functions the position may involve.
The successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document sufficient teaching qualifications (minimum formal requirement is a 200 hrs pedagogical programme) will be required to obtain such qualifications within a two-year period.
The research area for the position can include technologies referred to in the Ministry’s export control regulations, and the candidate must be eligible to obtain a security clearance.
Desirable qualifications:
- Candidates should be able to establish, lead and conduct research projects, also as a collaborator. A track record in scientific and administrative leadership is an advantage, as well as participation in the acquisition of research grants
- International network, outreach activities, collegiality, and the ability to create a good working environment will be part of the evaluation
- The person appointed will be requested to take on some administrative duties. Hence such experience will be an advantage
Applicants will be evaluated by their scientific qualifications, and also by their qualifications in teaching, outreach, administration and leadership, as well as their personal suitability for the position. Scientific qualifications will play a major role in the evaluation, and the main emphasis will be on the candidate’s scientific production from the last five years.
Experience in scientific and administrative leadership is an advantage, as well as participation in the acquisition of research grants and international networking.
Personal skills
- Ability to create and contribute to a well-functioning, inclusive and productive research environment
- Networking skills, ability to collaborate and conduct scientific leadership
- Ability to cooperate and communicate well with other members of staff
Personal qualities and suitability for the position are important evaluation criteria. We are seeking a candidate with the ability to foster a well-functioning, inclusive and productive research environment. Applicants should have good networking skills, and the ability to collaborate as well as to lead.
The successful candidate should have an international profile with respect to the above criteria. The candidate for this position will be selected based on excellence and fit with the section’s research profile.
We offer
- Salary NOK 650 300 – 776 900 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as Associate Professor (position code 1011)
- A professionally stimulating work environment with close links to industry
- Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
- A family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
- The opportunity to apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage
How to apply
The application must include:
- Motivation letter
- A research position paper (1–4 pages) describing the applicant’s vision and scientific ambitions for the nearest future.
- A detailed CV, including a complete list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other qualifying activities.
- Copies of educational certificates, PhD diploma, transcript of records and letters of recommendation.
- A complete list of publications and academic merits and awards (if not included in the CV).
- Full text of up to 10 selected scientific publications the applicant wishes to include in the evaluation.
- A document discussing the importance, interrelation, and relevance of the selected papers for this position.
- Educational portfolio of 3–6 pages documenting educational competence and experience, including a reflection note in which your own teaching practice and view of learning is anchored in the SoTL framework (focus on student learning, development over time, a researching approach and a collegial attitude and practice)
- Copies of educational certificates, PhD diploma and transcript of records
- List of reference persons: 2–3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)
The application with attachments must be submitted in our electronic recruiting system; please follow the link “apply for this job”.
Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).
Formal regulations
As a general rule an interview will be used in the appointment process, usually supplemented with a trial teaching session. The basis for assessment will be the scientific production of the applicant, the teaching portfolio, pedagogical and educational qualifications, the applicant’s qualifications within leadership and administration, other qualifications as well as general personal suitability for the position. In ranking the competent applicants, the full range of qualifications will be considered and explicitly assessed.
Rules for appointments to associate professorships:
https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/rules-appointment-professor.html
Rules for the assessment and weighting of pedagogical competence for appointments to permanent academic posts which include teaching duties:
https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/rules-basic-pedagogical-competence.html.
According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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.
The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds. Women are encouraged to apply.
The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results, see: http://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/work-results/
In addition, the University of Oslo aims for its employees to reflect the diversity of the population to the greatest degree possible. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities or gaps in their CV to apply for the position. The University of Oslo will adapt the workplace to suit employees with disabilities. Applicants who indicate that they have disabilities or gaps in their CV are made aware that this information may be used for statistical purposes.
Contactinformation
For further information, plesase contact:
Head of Department Cecilie Denby Rolstad, phone: +47 22842221, e-mail: c.r.denby@its.uio.no
Professor Svein-Erik Hamran, phone: +47 22842211, e-mail: s.e.hamran@its.uio.no
For technical questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact:
HR Advisor Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@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 University of Oslo (UiO) is expanding the activity at Campus Kjeller to strengthen our education, research, and innovation in technology for a sustainable future. UiO is a well-ranked research university where the Department of Technology Systems at Kjeller (ITS) is focused on applied research in sustainable energy, autonomous systems, space, and security. At Kjeller, ITS is co-located with the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI) and the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), which both offer rich opportunities for collaboration. ITS also has a range of interdisciplinary research collaborations that include the UiO Blindern Campus and Oslo Science City, as well as many other national and international institutions and industries.
ITS offers several master level programmes, alone and jointly with other departments: Renewable energy systems, Cybernetics and autonomous systems, Robotics and intelligent systems, and Information security. ITS also hosts the Centre for Space Sensors and Systems (CENSSS), which incorporates operation of an instrument on the NASA Perseverance rover on Mars. A new master program in Space systems is in the planning stage.
The department currently has 9 permanent scientific staff, approximately 35 adjunct staff from the research institutes at Kjeller and from industry, as well as about 20 PhD candidates. This position is part of an ongoing expansion of the UiO activity at Campus Kjeller. Campus Kjeller is located 20 km northeast of Oslo, between the city center and Oslo Airport. It is a 20 minutes commute with public transportation from Oslo city center to the campus.
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