PhD Research Fellow in Machine Learning and Statistics

About the position

Integreat - the Norwegian Centre for Knowledge-driven Machine Learning at the University of Oslo invites applications for a doctoral research fellow in Machine Learning and Statistics. We seek a motivated researcher, who values collaboration, inclusivity, and impact, and who would like to contribute to a supportive, interdisciplinary research environment with strong focus on mentoring and career development.

Starting date upon agreement, and no later than 31 January 2027.

The fellowship period is three years.

A fourth year may be considered, and it will involve 25 % of other career-promoting work. Other career-promoting work may consist of teaching, supervision, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualifications of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Place of work is Integreat - Norwegian Centre for Knowledge-driven Machine Learning at University of Oslo at Blindern, Oslo.

We welcome applicants with a strong background in machine learning and statistics, who are eager to contribute to cutting-edge methods for generating private and fair synthetic data with good utility. This project involves development of deep learning based synthetic data generators that obtain both good utility and protection of privacy, through tailored model approximation, as well as new measures of privacy and fairness to be used for assessing properties of synthetic generators, or in loss functions for training them. Further, the potentials and limitations of the developed approaches should be critically assessed regarding their implications for fairness, privacy, and utility. This project is at the intersection of machine learning, statistics and ethics.

This position is affiliated with the research group research group in Statistics and Data Science at the Department of Mathematics at University of Oslo, in close collaboration with the machine learning group at the Department of Informatics.

About Integreat

See the video for more information about Integreat.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-_I52cJHiW4

About Integreat 

Integreat - Norwegian Centre for Knowledge-driven Machine Learning is a Centre of Excellence, funded by the Research Council of Norway. Integreat has two branches, one in Oslo (University of Oslo, UiO) and one in Tromsø (UiT The Arctic University of Norway). This position is in Oslo.

Machine learning is the mathematical and computational engine of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and therefore it is a fundamental force of technological progress in our increasingly digital, data- and algorithm-driven world. Integreat develops theories, methods, models, and algorithms that integrate general and domain-specific knowledge with data, laying the foundations of next generation machine learning. We do this by combining the mathematical and computational cultures, and the methodologies and theories, of statistics, logic, language technology, ethics and machine learning, in new and unique ways.

The focus of Integreat is to develop ground-breaking methods and theories, and therefore solving fundamental problems in science, technology, health and society. Integreat draws on the research strengths of researchers and students from the departments of Mathematics, Informatics, Philosophy, and the Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology at UiO, the Norwegian Computing Centre (NR) and the ML group at UiT, with members from the departments of Physics and Technology, Mathematics and Statistics, and Computer Science.

What skills are important in this role?

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Qualification requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, statistics, data science, mathematics, or related field
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Employment and admission to the PhD programme are conditional upon successful completion of the Master's degree and submission of official documentation confirming that the degree has been awarded. Applicants who are in the final stages of completing their Master's degree may still apply.

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with deep learning models
• Strong background in programming
• A keen interest in considering and discussing ethical aspects of the research projects
• Experience with interdisciplinary work

Language requirement:

• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
  https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

Grade requirements: 

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see: Supplementary Regulations at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences to the Regulations for the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo - The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

UiO is subject to the Security Act, which governs the organisation's protection of security-sensitive objects and knowledge, in addition to other relevant legislation concerning access to and handling of sensitive information. Based on this, it is a requirement that successful applicants are security-eligible. We may use background checks as part of our recruitment process.

Personal skills

We are looking for candidates who are curious, open-minded, and motivated to learn. You should enjoy working both independently and as part of a team, and be comfortable communicating your ideas clearly across disciplines. A collaborative spirit, a strong sense of responsibility, and a willingness to contribute to an inclusive and respectful research culture are essential.

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We need different perspectives in our work 

Integreat is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, guided by our INTEGREAT principles (Integrity, Non discrimination, Tact, Environment, Gratitude, Respect, Empathy, Accountability, Transparency). We embed these values in practice through inclusive hiring and structured evaluations, targeted mentoring and career development, and flexible work arrangements and accommodations to ensure everyone can thrive and contribute.

We particularly welcome applications from women and gender minorities who are underrepresented in STEM, as well as applicants with immigrant backgrounds, disabilities, non linear career paths, or career breaks. We will take career interruptions and diverse career trajectories into account during evaluation.

If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps, we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).

The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports.

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

We offer

• Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK 550 800 – 595 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2% is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund
• A unique research environment with multiple opportunities to develop research themes at the forefront of modern science
• A friendly, inclusive, and collaborative international working environment that values diverse perspectives
• Access to a strong network of top-level national and international collaborators
• A reliable and generous pension agreement, along with strong public benefits
• Comprehensive welfare schemes supporting both personal and professional well-being
• Full access to public health services through membership in the National Insurance Scheme
• A vibrant academic environment with an active and supportive research community
• Structured career development programmes at the faculty level and an individual professional development plan throughout the postdoctoral period
• Mentoring and support structures tailored to early-career researchers
• Flexible working conditions, with understanding for different life situations and family responsibilities
• Research mobility funds supporting short research stays and international collaboration
• Family-friendly surroundings in Oslo and Tromsø, with rich opportunities for culture, nature, and outdoor activities
• A clear institutional commitment to gender equality and diversity, with dedicated initiatives and networks for women in science

Integreat provides a researcher training programme, INTREF - the Integreat Young Researchers’ Forum - a fellow driven initiative offering scientific training, transferable skills workshops, mentorship, research visits, and career development support.

Application

Your application should include:

• Cover letter – describe your motivation for pursuing a PhD at Integreat and in Norway, with particular emphasis on your research interests and academic achievements to date relevant for this position and the project
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Transcripts of records, copies of the original Bachelor’s and Master’s degree diploma (see below)
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• If relevant you may attach Master thesis or a draft of your thesis
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• Documentation of English proficiency

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position". Foreign applicants should attach an official explanation of their University's grading system.

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

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Please note that we are unable to add documentation after the application deadline. As the deadline applies equally to all applicants, this policy ensures equal treatment throughout the recruitment process. If you experience difficulties uploading documents in Jobbnorge, please contact their customer service: Phone: +47 75 54 22 20 or Email: [email protected] 

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees to secure the rights to all research results and related intellectual property.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian), Guidelines concerning appointment to recruitment positions at UiO and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

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 cannot, you will hear from us.