Associate Professor in theoretical or computational quantum technology

About the position

A permanent position as Associate Professor in theoretical or computational quantum science and technology is available at the Department of Physics, under the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

More information about the position 

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Department of Physics have a strategic goal of strengthening research and educational activities in quantum science and -technology (QST). The successful applicant is expected to take a leading role in realizing this vision.

QST activities in the department are growing and presently span both experimental and theoretical research, as well as quantum physics education research. On the experimental side, our main focus is on semiconductor materials for quantum sensing, and fundamental studies of quantum material properties. Theoretical activities include research on quantum information theory, quantum algorithms, quantum engineering, many-body theories for quantum technologies, quantum machine learning, and fundamental quantum science. There are strong ties to related activities in the Department of Mathematics and at the Hylleraas Center for quantum chemistry. 

Two newly established research centers in quantum technology, the Centre for Defects in Semiconductors for Quantum Sensing (link) and the Centre for Quantum Computing and Applications (link), serve as important catalysts for increasing collaboration across departments and with research institutes and industry. There is also growing national, Nordic, and international collaboration in both quantum research and education.

This position is focused on strengthening research and education within theoretical and/or computational QST in the department. 

Job description/ main tasks 

The successful candidate is expected to strengthen the department’s strategic effort in quantum science and -technology, with particular focus on theoretical and computational approaches. Relevant research background includes, but is not limited to, quantum algorithms, quantum optimization, quantum simulation, quantum engineering, theoretical and computational many-body physics, quantum sensing, quantum materials, and fundamental aspects of quantum science relevant to quantum technology. 

The candidate’s expertise should align with and complement our existing research strengths, with the potential to deepen interaction across research sections and departments within the faculty. It is an advantage if the candidate’s research activities have relevance to strategic initiatives at UiO.

The successful candidate is expected to establish and lead an outstanding independent research program, participate in and coordinate collaborative networks and projects, supervise students and post-doctoral researchers, actively pursue national and international research funding, contribute to teaching at all levels within the Department, and promote productive interaction between academia and society.

The appointed person is expected to play an important role in strengthening the new Bachelor’s program in quantum technology, and the new Master’s program in quantum science and -technology. This includes teaching relevant courses and supervising students for their master’s and PhD degrees. Moreover, the candidate should be able to teach general physics courses at the bachelor’s level. 

The position will also involve administrative duties according to current regulations by the Department or Faculty. 

What skills are important in this role?

Required qualifications:

• The successful applicant must have completed a Master’s degree in physics and a PhD in physics or a related field central for the position.
• Postdoctoral experience.
• Documented high quality research in a relevant field, demonstrating ability for independent and significant scientific production after the PhD. The main emphasis will be on the candidate’s scientific production from the last five years.
• Experience with attracting external research funding and leading scientific research projects
• Experience with scientific programming and the use of numerical methods in research and education
• Documented teaching experience and ability to take active part in teaching and supervising students at all levels. 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 candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document sufficient teaching qualifications (minimum formal requirement is a 200 hours 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, in order to be able to teach and otherwise be able to participate in all functions the position may involve. If the successful candidate does not have sufficient mastery of a Scandinavian language, B2 level, the candidate will be required to learn sufficient Norwegian within three years of employment.

The following desired qualifications will be prioritized in the assessment: 

• Potential to align with existing strategic initiatives in QST and to promote collaboration between sections and departments.
• Ability to teach courses on quantum computing, computational physics, many-body physics, quantum machine learning or similar topics, in addition to basic physics courses.
• Proven track record of attracting external funding from the most competitive funding schemes (ERC or similar).
• Motivation for development and redesign of courses and teaching methods, and motivation to take part in developing and improving study programs.
• Experience with communicating university level research and education to a wider (non-scientific) audience.

All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.

What are we looking for in you?

Personal skills:

• Ability to create and contribute to a well-functioning, inclusive and productive research environment
• Organizational and networking skills, ability to collaborate and conduct scientific leadership
• Positive and enthusiastic attitude

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 can offer you

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment. 
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.  A workplace with good development and career opportunities.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Associate Professor (position code 1011) in salary range NOK from 700 000 - 850 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, two % is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund. 

Inclusive work life and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We especially encourage women to apply. More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.  

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter with a statement of motivation and research interests
• A detailed CV, including a complete list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other qualifying activities
• A research plan (max. 5 pages) including possible synergies with relevant research sections at the Department of Physics and other departments at the University of Oslo
• Copies of educational certificates, PhD diploma and transcript of records 
• A complete list of publications and academic merits and awards (if not included in the CV)
• Summary of up to three selected scientific publications the applicant wishes to include in the evaluation describing their significance and impact. A copy of these publications (or an open access link to these) must be provided.
• 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)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for this job".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

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

Guide for applicants for Professor and Associate professor positions - University of Oslo https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/guide-applicants.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 has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results, see: http://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/work-results/