Associate Professor in Autonomous Systems and Control Theory — University of Oslo, Kjeller, Norway

If you hold a doctorate in control theory or autonomous systems and have been wanting a permanent academic role at a serious research university, this associate professor position at the University of Oslo might be exactly what you have been looking for. Based at the Department of Technology Systems on the Kjeller campus, just 20 minutes from central Oslo, it is a full-time, permanent position with a clear emphasis on applied robotics, intelligent autonomous systems, and control theory.

Quick Job Overview

About the Employer

The University of Oslo is Norway oldest and highest-ranked university, with roughly 26,500 students and 7,200 employees. It is a well-established research institution with a strong international profile. The Department of Technology Systems (ITS) sits at the Kjeller campus, co-located with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE). This co-location creates a genuinely collaborative research environment where you are not working in isolation from industry and applied research partners.

ITS hosts the Centre for Space Sensors and Systems (CENSSS), which has instrumentation currently operating on NASA Mars 2020 rover. The department has around 13 permanent scientific staff, about 35 part-time scientists from research institutes and industry, and approximately 40 PhD candidates. It is a department that punches above its weight, with research often conducted at higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).

What This Role Involves

This is a permanent associate professorship in the Autonomous Systems and Sensor Technology (Autosens) section. You will be expected to lead your own research programme in autonomous systems and control theory as applied to robotics. The department is specifically interested in areas like distributed control, autonomous vehicles (aerial, ground, and maritime), marine robotics, multi-robot coordination, machine learning for control, perception, swarm robotics, and safe autonomy.

Teaching and supervision are core parts of the job. You will teach across bachelors, masters, and PhD levels, and supervise graduate students. The department runs masters programmes in Cybernetics and Autonomous Systems, Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Information Security, Renewable Energy Systems, and Space Systems. A new Healthcare Technology masters programme and an international bachelors in Technology Systems are also in development.

There is also an expectation that you will initiate and lead research projects, build industry partnerships, and secure external funding. The department wants someone who can grow a research enterprise around their area of expertise.

Required Skills and Qualifications

The essential requirements are clear and non-negotiable:

• A doctoral degree in a relevant field (control theory, cybernetics, autonomous systems, or robotics)
• Documented scientific qualifications in key areas of control theory and autonomous systems applied to robotic and intelligent systems
• A strong scientific track record, particularly from the last five years
• Experience with external funding applications, or clear potential to secure such funding independently
• Pedagogical qualifications documented in a teaching portfolio (if you do not yet meet the 200-hour pedagogical programme requirement, you will be expected to complete it within two years of appointment)
• Fluency in English, and willingness to learn Norwegian to B2 level within three years if you do not already speak a Scandinavian language

Desired qualifications include expertise in autonomous systems design and experimentation, AI methods applied to robotic control, and a strong international network. Experience collaborating with non-academic partners is valued.

Salary, Benefits, and Relocation Support

The salary range is NOK 820,000 to 920,000 per year (position code 1011), depending on your qualifications and experience. From this, 2% is deducted as a statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund. This is a competitive salary for an associate professor in Norway, where the cost of living is higher than in many other countries but is offset by strong public services and social benefits.

UiO offers membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse (the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund), which is widely regarded as one of Norway best pension schemes and comes with beneficial mortgage options and insurance. You also get up to 1.5 hours per week of exercise during working hours, good welfare schemes, and career development opportunities.

Relocation support specifically is not detailed in the job posting. If you are moving from abroad, you should contact the department directly to ask about practical assistance.

Work Permit / Visa Note

The employer has not explicitly mentioned visa sponsorship or work permit arrangements in this listing. Norway does have skilled worker visa routes for non-EU/EEA nationals, and as a permanent academic position at a public university, this role would typically qualify for a skilled worker residence permit. However, this is general context and not a guarantee for this specific job. If you need a work permit, you should contact the University of Oslo International Staff Mobility Office or the department head directly to confirm what support is available before applying.

Who This Role May Suit

This position is a strong fit if you already hold a PhD in control theory, cybernetics, or a closely related field and have a few years of postdoctoral or industry research experience. You should have a genuine interest in applied robotics, not just theoretical work, but systems that operate in the real world. The department focus on higher TRL research means you will be working on problems that translate into practical systems, whether that is autonomous drones, maritime robots, or space technology.

If you enjoy teaching and mentoring students, and you want the stability of a permanent academic position at a well-resourced university in a country with a high quality of life, this is worth serious consideration. The requirement to learn Norwegian within three years is a real commitment, but UiO provides support, and many international academics have successfully made this transition.

How to Apply Officially

All applications must be submitted through the official Jobbnorge portal. You can access the listing directly here:

Apply on Jobbnorge (official employer portal)

Do not apply through any third-party site, email, or messaging platform. Only applications submitted through Jobbnorge will be considered.

Required Documents

According to the official listing, your application must include:

• Application letter
• Detailed CV (complete list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative roles, project acquisition, and other qualifying activities)
• Research position paper (3-6 pages) describing your vision and scientific ambitions
• Copies of educational certificates, PhD diploma, transcript of records, and letters of recommendation
• Complete list of publications and academic merits/awards
• Full text of up to 10 selected scientific publications
• A document discussing the importance, interrelation, and relevance of the selected papers for this position
• Educational portfolio (3-6 pages) documenting teaching competence and experience, including a reflection note anchored in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) framework
• List of 2-3 references (name, relation, email, phone number)

All documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to speak Norwegian to apply?

No, you do not need to speak Norwegian at the time of application. English is the working language for research, and you can teach in English initially. However, the successful candidate is expected to reach B2 level in Norwegian within three years of starting. UiO provides language learning support.

Is this a permanent position?

Yes, this is a permanent, full-time associate professorship. It is not a fixed-term contract or a probationary appointment.

What is the Kjeller campus like?

Campus Kjeller is about 20 km northeast of Oslo city centre, roughly a 20-minute commute by public transport from central Oslo. It is close to Oslo Airport. The campus is a research hub shared with FFI and IFE, which means you are surrounded by applied research activity rather than being in a purely academic bubble.

Can I apply if I am from outside the EU/EEA?

Yes, you can apply. Norway has skilled worker visa routes that typically apply to academic positions at public universities. However, visa sponsorship is not explicitly confirmed in this listing. Contact UiO International Staff Mobility Office for guidance on your specific situation.

Relevant Links

• All University of Oslo vacancies
• Working at UiO
• Norway Jobs on JobsRivo
• Education and Teaching Jobs on JobsRivo
• Engineering and Construction Jobs on JobsRivo
• EU Blue Card Jobs on JobsRivo

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