PhD Fellowship in intelligent transport

OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway’s third largest university, with nearly 22,000 students and 2,200 employees. Through the students we educate and the research we produce, the university has a direct impact on society, both in Norway and beyond. The university has two campuses, one in central Oslo and another a short distance from the city in the municipality of Lillestrøm. OsloMet is home to some of Norway’s largest and oldest educational programmes, including degree programmes in nursing, engineering and teacher education. The university is also a hub of research and technological innovation aimed at strengthening and sustaining the Norwegian welfare state.

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 Civil Engineering and Energy Technology offers bachelors and master’s degree programs in engineering, in addition to research and development activities. The department has approximately 60 staff members and 850 students.

The Department is recruiting a candidate for a PhD fellowship connected to the research group TransFrUrban (Transport, Infrastructure, and Urban development). Read more about the research group here: https://www.oslomet.no/en/research/research-groups/transport-infrastructure-and-urban-development .

This position will focus on some of the main tasks of the project AI-Enabled demand-responsive autonomous public transport service considering accessibility and equality. According to the latest Norwegian National Transport Plan, speeding up the implementation of new technologies (i.e. autonomous vehicles) based on the Intelligent Transport System is one of the most important reforms of the transport sector. Therefore, exploring the path to large-scale implementation of autonomous mobility service is necessary, meaningful, and challenging. Ruter, the public transport agency in the Oslo region, has stated their ambition to implement steward-less, autonomous vehicles as a step towards mobility as service (MaaS) operations. A requirement for a truly self-driving MaaS system is that all components of operation are fully automated, without the need for direct human interaction. According to the existing pilot of the autonomous bus in the Oslo region, the autonomous bus has huge potential to improve transport accessibility, equality, and sustainability. However, many issues need to be solved to enable large-scale implementation. From the transportation side, developing a proper route planning strategy and service mode will significantly speed up the large-scale implementation. The PhD is going to working on related topics.The candidate’s project will intersect some of the following topics:

• Autonomous vehicle operability
• Road infrastructure for autonomous driving
• Social impact of autonomous driving
• Deep learning and other forms of machine learning
• Transport modelling

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 a 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.

• Master's degree or equivalent, in Civil Engineering/ Computer Science / Mechanical Engineering / Controls Engineering / Transport Engineering or related engineering discipline. The degree must be equivalent to 120 credits with an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E passing of grades
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English

Admission to doctoral program at the TKD faculty within three months of employment is a condition for taking up the position. Admission to the programme requires master’s degree with grade B or higher, and a bachelor, and grade C or higher at bachelor-level. Full details on admission criteria is given here: https://www.oslomet.no/en/study/tkd/engineering-science-phd. The final plan for research work must be approved and agreed upon no later than 3 months after joining the department. Applicants who already hold a PhD, in the same or related field, cannot apply. General criteria for appointments to academic positions are covered by the Forskrift om ansettelsesvilkår for stillinger som postdoktor, stipendiat, vitenskapelig assistent og spesialistkandidat.

• Knowledge in transportation modelling, infrastructure planning, traffic operations and traffic flow theory, AI and/or data analytic
• Ability to use numerical simulations tools and programming language such as Python/MATLAB/R
• Experience of publishing peer-reviewed scientific articles
• Experience with autonomous driving-related research

• Good abilities in problem solving
• Ability to learn and understand new theory
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Motivation for contribution in the field of research
• Ability to work goal-oriented

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavors 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.

An expert committee will assess the applications. You must upload the following documents with the application within the final date for applications:

• 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.
• Project proposal. The proposal should include : Research questions, Literature review and problem description, Methodology, a schedule for the educational and research plan. The project proposal should not exceed 5 pages (excluding references). The final project plan will be made in collaboration with the assigned supervisor when applying for admission to the doctoral programme.
• CV and copies of certificates/diplomas. The certificates/diplomas must include ECTS grades (A– F). Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the degree-conferring institution. Education taken abroad should preferably be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, email, and telephone number).
• Master's thesis and other relevant academic documents
• 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.

We only process applications sent via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be processed. The documents must be in either English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized. Originals 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. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• A stimulating interdisciplinary research environment, and participation in an active research group
• The opportunity to participate in various international research networks
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Good employee welfare arrangements
• Working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

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

• Associate Professor, Chaoru Lu, +47 40187192, chaorulu@oslomet.no
• Professor, John Osth, +47 47 6728519, john.osth@oslomet.no

The salary for the position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, job title and position code. State salary wage scale 54, NOK 501 200 per year. 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.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.

Application deadline: 28.02.2023

Reference number: 22/08914

OsloMet is a Charter & Code certified institution by the EU Commisson 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.  

Type of employment:

Fixed-term post

Contract type:

Full time

First day of employment:

--

Salary:

--

Number of positions:

1

Working hours:

100

City:

Oslo

County:

Oslo

Country:

Norway

Reference number:

22/08914

Contact:

Chaoru Lu, +4740187192
John Osth, +47476728519

Published:

06/12/2022

Last application date:

28/02/2023 23:59