Job description

A permanent full-time position as associate professor in renewable energy systems is available in the section for Energy Systems at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS).

The Department invites potential candidates to apply for the open position addressing the integration of renewable energy into the future energy systems. We are seeking a candidate with clear scientific and technological visions, interest in applying an experimental approach, good educational and interpersonal skills, abilities to establish and lead research projects, and with an interest in sustainability.

The introduction of variable and dispersed generation units as well as the new consumption patterns will affect the energy systems technically in several ways, for instance in terms of load flow pattern, power quality problems, and reactive power control. With increasing shares of variable renewable energy, we must rethink how we design and operate the energy systems. Grid operations must be seen in the context of increasing complexity through decentralization, high volatile power generation, and multi-directional power flows. The energy system design needs to include renewable energy integration options, i.e. short and long-term storage, demand side management, and grid extension. The energy system transformation also raises a number of regulatory, market and socio-political challenges.

The research at ITS is often at a higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) than the most activities at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and it has a system focus. Given the capabilities of technology systems to contribute to sustainability, research that aligns with UN development goals is in focus.

We seek an enthusiastic and dedicated person who meets the required qualifications for an associate professorship, with a scientific profile that fits and complements the activities of the research group.

The applicant must have a PhD in the field of energy systems, or any relevant equivalent qualifications. It is an advantage with post-graduate research experience, with relevant research and project activities. The ideal candidate has an excellent research record and has made important theoretical and methodological contributions, has pedagogical experience, capability of attracting external funding, and interest in being an active and participating member of the research group. The aplicant should have a strong interest for cooperation between the Department of Technology Systems, the research institutes at Kjeller, other departments at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and with the private and public sectors.

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 department wants to foster close cooperation with industry, and the successful candidate is expected to develop master topics from research institutes and industry.

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.

Main tasks

The main tasks of the position are teaching and research. In detail this includes:

  • Initiate and lead research activities and attract external funding for new research projects especially in the field of renewable energy systems
  • Initiate and participate in teaching, development and improvement of courses and study programs at the department
  • Establish collaboration across the department, university and with external partners including industry, government and academia
  • Academic administration

Qualification requirements

Required qualifications

  • The successful candidate must have relevant education at the doctoral level and be able to document scientific qualifications in key areas of renewable energy system analysis, such as:
    • Modeling, and simulation of energy systems, with integration of variable renewable energy sources and storage components
    • Motivation to support the sustainable energy transition with special focus on achieving the SDGs
  • Scientific qualifications will play a major role, and the main emphasis will be on the candidate’s scientific production over the last five years
  • 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 a Scandinavian language and English.

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 successful candidate must demonstrate 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.

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, and experience in attracting external research funding from e.g. the Norwegian Research Council, the EU and other will be emphasized.

Experience within one or more of the following areas is also desired:

  • Modelling from a system wide perspective, and handling of large data sets
  • Energy systems analysis, design and control
  • Optimization of energy system operations and infrastructure
  • Demonstrator/pilots, and interest in a hands-on experimental approach
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration, industrial collaboration, and collaboration with regulatory/policy makers
  • International networking, outreach activities, collegiality, and the ability to create a good working environment

Personal skills

  • Interest for cooperation between the Department of Technology Systems, the research institutes at Kjeller, other departments at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and with the private and public sectors
  • Ability to cooperate and communicate well with other members of staff
  • Ability to create and contribute to a well-functioning, inclusive and productive research and teaching environment
  • Networking skills and ability to initiate collaborative project

The successful candidate should have an international profile with respect to the above criteria. The candidate for this position will be selected beased on excellence and fit with the Department’s research profile.

We offer

  • Salary NOK 650 000 – 776 900 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as Associate Professor (position code 1011)
  • A professionally stimulating work environment.
  • Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.
  • The opportunity to apply for promotion to a full professorship at a later stage 

How to apply

The application must include:

  • Application letter
  • A research position paper (1–4 pages) describing the applicant’s vision and scientific ambitions for the near 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)
  • 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 must 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 futher information regarding the position and recruitment process plese contact:

Section leader, Associate professor Sabrina Sartori, e-mail: sabrina.sartori@its.uio.no; tlf +47 98676975

Head of department Cecilie Rolstad Denby, e-mail: c.r.denby@its.uio.no; tlf +47 22842221

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system,  please contact:

HR Adviser 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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