Researcher in Information Technology

The University of Stavanger invites applicants for a three-year position as Researcher in Information Technology at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The position is open for appointment from December 1st, 2021.

The position is in Information Technology, connected to the project “AutoWell – Automated Well Monitoring and Control” coordinated by NORCE, funded jointly by the Research Council of Norway and ConocoPhillips, Lundin, Sumitomo, Wintershall and AkerBP.

University of Stavanger has the task to develop a “Warning system module” as an intermediate solution for advisory well control and performance improvement carried routinely out today by production engineers. The tasks will focus on development of a warning system provides real-time alarms for notifying on issues with oil well performance, changing impact of nearby wells and reservoir boundaries as well as initiation of leakage out of target formation. The system should be tested on historical data and on simulated well responses provided to confirm its efficiency for the predictive well maintenance. Furthermore, applying improvements for interaction and visualization procedures based on feedback from potential industrial users. This system will be implemented and hosted at the UiS datacenters. 

The researcher will support and collaborate with other researchers in the project, working on research and development of the cloud data platform and the associated data pipeline. This includes development of a data collection framework, a data processing framework and a dashboard for use case demonstrations. 

Research activities may also include underlying problems where the solution is directly applicable to the implementation of the warning system module currently under development. 

To be eligible you must have a strong academic background with a five-year (3+2) Master's degree within Information Technology. 

You must be proficient programming in Python/R/C++/C, Cloud/Edge computing, and in Machine Learning and AI algorithms. International travelling is required.

If you have a Ph.D. degree within the subject area, you can apply for promotion to researcher (code 1109) according to the Regulations for promotion to researcher 1109 in the public sector .

In the assessment, the following criteria will be emphasised:

• relevant working experience
• proficiency in specific softwares such as: Matlab, OpenStack and/or Hadoop family
• proficiency and knowledge in topics such as visualization, streamlining of UI/UX and/or virtualization
• motivation and potential for research within the field
• demonstrated ability to build and preserve professional networks - regionally, nationally and internationally
• good teamwork, communication skills and ability to participate in research communities across organisational units
• ability to work independently in a structured manner
• having a good command of both oral and written English

• varied duties in a large, exciting and socially important organisation
• an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, l.pl 90.400 code 1108, NOK 500 000 - 600 000 gross per year. A higher salary may be considered in special cases. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund , which provides favourable insurance- and retirement benefits
• favourable membership terms at a gym and at the company sports club, SiS sportssenter
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally active seniors
• Hjem-jobb-hjem , discounted public transport to and from work
• as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave, and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced
• relocation programme

University of Stavanger values independence, involvement and innovation. Diversity is respected and considered a resource in our work and learning environment. Universal design characterises physical and digital learning environments, and we strive to provide reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities.

You are encouraged to apply regardless of gender, disability or cultural background.

The university aims to recruit more women within the subject area. If several applicants are considered to have equal qualifications, female applicants will be given priority.

More information on the position can be obtained from Senior Advisor Russel Wolf, e-mail: [email protected]  or professor Chunming Rong, tel: +47 51 83 20 13, e-mail: [email protected] .

Information about the appointment procedure can be obtained from HR consultant Rosa Andrade, tel: +47 51 83 11 91, e-mail: [email protected] .

Apply for the position online via the “Apply for the position” link on this page. Your application letter, relevant education and work experience as well as language skills must be registered here. 

The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• cover letter explaining the candidate’s interest in the project and the relevance of their background and experience for the position
• CV with a full summary of your education and experience
• transcripts and certificates, and other documentation that you consider relevant
• if relevant, academic publications and/or doctoral thesis

Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The documentation must be available in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 30 MB, they must be compressed before upload.

Please note that information on applicants may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the official list of applicants, in accordance with Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act . If your request is not granted, you will be notified.

UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge.

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 by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to UiS. 

The university's guidelines for appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts , sections 2 and 3.3, provide further discussion of criteria for employment as Researcher.

Relevant applicants will be invited for an interview before any recommendations are made. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. More about the hiring process on our website.

It is a prerequisite that you have a residence which enables you to be present at/available to the academic community during ordinary working hours.

The position has been announced in both Norwegian and English. In the case of differences of opinion between the texts, the English text shall be decisive.

The University of Stavanger (UiS) has about 12,000 students and 1,900 employees. The university has high ambitions. We strive to have an innovative and international profile, and be a driving force in knowledge development and in the process of societal change. Our common direction is driven by consideration for sustainable change and equitable social development, through new ways of managing natural resources and facilitating better cities and local communities. Energy, health and welfare, learning for life are our focus areas.

In constant collaboration and dialogue with our surroundings, regionally, nationally and internationally, we enjoy an open and creative climate for education, research, innovation, dissemination and museum activities. Academic life at the University of Stavanger is organised into six faculties comprising various departments/schools and National Research Centres, as well as the Museum of Archaeology. We are a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The university is located in the most attractive region in the country with more than 300,000 inhabitants. The Stavanger region has a dynamic labour market and exciting cultural and leisure activities.

Together with our staff and students we will challenge the well-known and explore the unknown.

The Faculty of Science and Technology offers study programs at bachelor, master and doctoral level. The faculty has established close cooperation on research with NORCE (Norwegian Research Centre AS) and the regional industry. A number of master's and doctoral theses are made in collaboration with the industry. The faculty has established research collaborations with universities in the US and Europe, and has developed academic environments that are at the forefront internationally. These include Petroleum and Offshore Technology as well as Risk Management and Societal Safety, which constitute two of the university's strategic focus areas. The faculty has about 2,800 students and approximately 400 employees at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Structural Engineering and Materials Science, Department of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Energy Resources and the Department of Safety, Economics and Planning.

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science carries out research within computer science, data Science, cybernetics and signal processing, and offers bachelor programs in electrica engineering and computer science, master programs in computer science, data science and cybernetics/signal processing, and a PhD program in information technology. There are currently 70 employees, including research fellows and postdocs, and 800 students at the department.