Associate Professor in Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructures protection

About the position

A permanent full-time position as an Associate Professor in Cybersecurity and Security in Cyber Physical Systems and Critical Infrastructures at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS). 
We seek an enthusiastic and dedicated person, who meets the required qualifications for an Associate Professor position, with a scientific profile that fits and complements the already existing competences and activities in a research group for Security in Cyber-Physical Systems at ITS. The applicant must have a PhD degree within the field of security in cyber-physical systems in general or/and critical infrastructure protection. A successful candidate therefore does not necessarily have a very long track record within the area, instead she/he needs to have a clear vision of how the area can be developed. 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 the pedagogical experience, capability of attracting external funding, and is interested in being an active and participating member of the research group. The candidate will bring substantial practical experience in cybersecurity, cyber resilience, and the protection of critical infrastructures. This role requires an innovative educator with a dedication to practical learning, real-world problem-solving, and a commitment to developing cybersecurity strategies that defend critical systems against emerging threats. Research on security in cyber physical systems/ critical infrastructure protection implies a strong interest in cross-discipline collaboration, foremost with ITS existing research groups on autonomous systems and renewable energy systems, but also the research group on digital security at the Department of Informatics (IFI), UiO. 
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 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, at the request of the Department or the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. 
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.

Job description

The Department invites potential candidates to apply for the open position addressing security of critical infrastructures. We are seeking a candidate with clear scientific and technological visions, interest in developing an emerging field, applying an experimental approach, good educational and interpersonal skills, abilities to establish and lead research projects, and an interest in sustainability. UiO is in the position to establish the emerging field of cybersecurity and critical infrastructures protection with an emphasis on contemporary cyber physical systems. Critical infrastructures are important for the maintenance of vital societal functions, health, safety, security, economic or social well-being of people. The growing digitalization and the emergence of advanced technologies within such infrastructure present substantial cyber risks to cyber-physical systems, where their disruption or destruction could have a great impact on society.

The successful candidate will contribute to the further strengthening of our profile in the area of cybersecurity in cyber physical systems through independent research, supervision of bachelor and master students as well as PhD fellows, participation in departmental and university-wide activities, attract external research funding, and establish national and international collaborative networks.

Main tasks will be 

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

•  Develop both teaching and research activities aimed at cybersecurity of cyber-physical systems and critical infrastructures protection. The area needs to be developed and promoted substantially compared to the existing activity.
  • Collaborate and coordinate with existing research groups.
  • Initiate and lead research activities and attract external funding for new research relevant projects
  • 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 applicant must have a Ph.D., or documented equivalent level of academic competence of the same scope and quality in a field relevant to cyber physical systems security.

• 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, 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 research 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 mbe able to participate in all functions the position may involve. If the successful candidate does not have sufficient mastery of a Scandinavian language, the candidate will be required to learn sufficient Norwegian within a two-year period.

Desirable qualifications:

• Candidates should be able to establish, lead and conduct research projects, also as a collaborator. A good track record in scientific and administrative management/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.
• International network, outreach activities, collegiality, and the ability to create a good working environment will be part of them evaluation.
• The person appointed will be requested to take on some administrative duties. Hence such experience will be an advantage.

Experience within one or more of the following areas is an advantage:

• Extensive knowledge and solid understanding of cyber physical systems security and critical infrastructures in Norway (or in EU). Mostly needed is a good understanding of industrial networks related to critical infrastructures in Norway (or in EU). A good understanding of cybersecurity standards and regulations in Norway (or in EU) is also an advantage.
• Experience from working in - or collaborated closely with the Norwegian (or European) industry related to cybersecurity and/or critical infrastructures, for example interdisciplinary collaboration, that involves industrial collaboration and/or collaboration with regulatory/policymakers. 
• Experience in working on cybersecurity and threat analysis in cyber physical systems and artificial intelligence.
• Good understanding of the security implication digitalization has on critical infrastructures.
• Research experience addressing security in cyber-physical systems/critical infrastructures.
• Experience in teaching cybersecurity courses and in developing practical cybersecurity exercises. 
• International networking, outreach activities, collegiality, and the ability to create a good working environment. 

Personal qualities

In ranking of the applicants, the following personal qualifications will be considered and given significant weight (the list is not in order of priority): 

• Interest in developing cooperation between the department, the research institutes at Kjeller, other departments at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and with the private and public sector and other universities both in Norway and internationally
• Ability to cooperate and communicate well with other members of the 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
• Motivation for a focus on achieving the SDGs 

We offer

• Salary NOK 730 000-830 000 - per annum depending on qualifications in a position as Associate Professor (position code 1011) 
• A professionally stimulating work environment.
• Attractive welfare benefits (https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/welfare/) 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 full professorship at a later stage only 
  pertains to employment as Associate Professor.

Inclusive worklife 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 hope that you will apply for the position. 

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here. (https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/competence/gender-equality/index.html)

Application

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 should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

General information

Interviews and trial lecture will be used in the selection process. The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

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-appointmet professor.html (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 (https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/rules-basic-pedagogical-competence.html)

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2006-05-19-16) § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to the Rules for Appointments to Professorships and Associate Professorships at the University of Oslo (https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/rules-appointment-professor.html), Rules for practicing the requirement for basic pedagogical competence at the University of Oslo (https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/rules-basic-pedagogical-competence.html) and Guide for applicants for Professor and Associate professor positions - University of Oslo.  (https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/guide-applicants.html)

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.

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.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement (https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/work-results/agreement-rights-to-work-results.html) with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.