Researcher in machine learning modeling of human physiological models

About the position 

Position as Researcher available at the Center for Computing in Science Education (CCSE) and the Techwell center, Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.

The position is for a period of 2 years. Starting date no later than 01.07.2025.

Job description / Project description

The researcher position will be associated with the Maxsense project, which is financed by the Norwegian Research Council as a collaboration between the University of Oslo, SINTEF and several industry partners. The position is at the University of Oslo, in the Department of Physics and the Center for Computing in Science Education, which is a Norwegian Center for Excellence. The successful candidate will work in the Department of Physics and collaborate with the project group at SINTEF.

The goal of the Maxsense project is to develop methods, techniques and the research basis for a portable AI-based, marker-free 3D modelling system to generate personalized avatars. We utilize recent advances in programming tools for hybrid physics-AI problems and combine them with fundamental knowledge about human physiology to create personalized models (or avatars) from observations of humans in motion. Combining physiological models with data from sensors on and around the user, we get high-value data that can be used to improve training, work situations or product design.

The researcher is expected to contribute to the development of machine learning methods for the development of musculoskeletal models with emphasis on (i) curriculum learning based approaches to control complex motions of physiological models in physical environments such as the motion of the whole body during sitting, walking, running or performing sports; or (ii) generative machine-learning models for physiologically realistic avatar construction from image or point-cloud data.

Qualifications 

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these positions will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in robotics, machine learning, mathematics, biomechanics, or physics or equivalent
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Experience with relevant deep learning and machine learning methods
• An interest in the biomechanics of human motion

Personal skills

• Strong collaborative and communication skills
• High personal motivation for research
• A commitment to work towards the research project’s common goals
• Ability to be focused, work independently and collaborate

We offer 

• 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.
• A pleasant and stimulating work 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 Researcher, position code 1108 in salary range NOK from 536 200 - 575 400, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

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. 

Application

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation for this position, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity) 
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position". Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language). Applications with documents missing will not be considered further.  

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. 

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, as well as the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. An expert committee will evaluate the applications. Interviews will be used as part of the hiring process.

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

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.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 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 Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian) and Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.