PhD Research Fellow in Artificial Intelligence

Up to 3 PhD Research Fellowships are available at Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering (SimulaMet) for highly-motivated and self-driven PhD students with strong intellectual curiosity and interest in research.

These positions are part of the National Norwegian Center for Sustainable, Risk-averse and Ethical AI (SURE-AI), funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) (2025-2030), coordinated by Simula Research Laboratory (Simula). Simula is a leading Norwegian research institute known for its excellence in cutting-edge ICT with a strong track record of top evaluations, active international collaborations, and successful in significant funding initiatives, including European and National RCN grants. SimulaMet is a research centre jointly owned by Simula and Oslo Metropolitan University. It is the home of Simula’s research activities on networks and communications, artificial intelligence and IT management, and it is OsloMet’s strategic partner in digital engineering. SimulaMet supports talent development through PhD and postdoctoral programs and provides valuable research infrastructure, such as the national HPC facility, eX3, and network testbeds

.
About SURE-

AIThe primary objective of SURE-AI is to create a new generation of algorithms for inference and decision-making by pushing the boundaries of the underlying computational techniques. SURE-AI researchers will drive a transformative leap in AI through a groundbreaking Centre initiative dedicated to making AI more efficient, transparent and safe, addressing the critical challenges of resource consumption, behavior unpredictability and ethical alignment with human and societal values. The centre involves senior researchers from well-renowned national and international research institutions, in close collaboration with industry and public sector. Overall, SURE-AI includes 19 national Norwegian partners, as well as researchers from 15 international institution

s.
SURE-AI is firmly committed to excellence in both cutting-edge research and training of outstanding young researchers, as described here. The appointed candidate is expected to actively contribute to one or more of SURE-AI’s work packages and innovation clusters, engage in collaboration across the SURE-AI network, and participate in all relevant centre activiti

es.
Job Descrip

tionWe are looking for PhD students who will be part of an interdisciplinary research environment including also international collaborators. Each PhD student is expected to cover the three fronts of theoretical analysis (e.g. performance guarantees), algorithm design and implementation, carrying out research on one or (preferably) two of the interconnected topics listed in the full announcement t

ext.
All these projects/topics will incorporate real data in the context of impactful applications within the verticals of energy and environment, finance and societal systems, in cooperation with some of the public or private partners involved and postdoctoral/senior researchers in the SURE-AI Ce

nter.The position is available for a period of 3 years. Given the availability of additional funding and a good match with the SimulaMet needs, the position may be extended to a maximum of 4 years, including other duties and/or research stays to some of the national or international partners in SUR

E-AI.
Selection cri

teria We will consider candidates who have a BS and MS degree (both) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Applied Mathematics. data science/machine learning, signal processing, and applied mathematics. Other required qualifications in

• clude:A strong background in at least two (or preferably more) of the following topics: Linear algebra, optimization, data science, machine learning and signal processing, proved by top g
• rades.Previous experience with the challenges of real data or advanced computation architectures for machine learning are a plus, but not req
• uired.Fluency in Python and/or MATLAB with a well-established background in programming, proved by relevant programming co

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• urses.An average GPA of at least B in BS, and A
• in MS.Interest in and ability to collaborate across disciplines and institu
• tions.Relevance of profile to SURE-AI’s aims and objec
• tives.Sharing Simula’s core values: excellence, impact, curiosity, ambition and re

spect.
All candidates will also have to demonstrate an excellent level of spoken and written English, possess good interpersonal and communication skills and show willingness to work as part of an internationa

l team.
Simul

• a offersExcellent opportunities for performing high-quality research, as part of a highly competent and motivated team of international researchers and en
• gineers.An informal and inclusive international working envi
• ronment.Generous support for travel and opportunities to build international networks, through established collaboration with industry, exchange programs and research visits with other universities, and funding to attend conf
• erences.Modern office facilities located in downto
• wn Oslo.A competitive salary. Starting salary from NOK
• 550 800.Numerous benefits: access to a company cabin, sponsored social events, generous equipment budgets (e.g., computer, phone and subscription), subsidized canteen meals, comprehensive travel/group life insurance poli
• cy, etc.Relocation assistance: accommodation, visas, complimentary Norwegian language cours
• es, etc.Administrative research support: e.g., quality assurance process for grant proposals (including RCN and EU pr
• ograms).Wellness and work-life balance. Our employees’ health and well-being are a priority, and we encourage them to make use of our flexible work arrangements to help balance their work and home lives effi

ciently.
Ap

plicationInterested applicants are requested to submit the f

• ollowing:Curriculum vitae showing your educational background, working experience (in particular, any relevant academic or industrial work), a list of scientific publications a
• nd talks.Transcripts for both Bachelor and M
• S degreesCover letter outlining your motivation for applying, relevant experience and qualifications, research interests and how/why you are qualified for the
• position.Contact information of three re

ferences.
Please note that all documents must be in English language. Application with the requested attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system. Applications submitted by email will not be c

onsidered.
Deadline: Apri

l 1st, 2026
Contact person: Baltasar Beferull-Lozano (baltasa

r@simula.no)Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview. Applications will be screened continuously and a decision will be made as soon as we find the righ

t candidate.
Genera

l InformationSix national research centres for Artificial Intelligence (AI) launched in the Fall of 2025. Each of these centers will foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers to address both scientific and societal challenges, develop new technologies, understand the impact of AI, and drive innovation across both the business and public sectors. This initiative is established and financed through the government's significant investment in artificial intelligence over the next five years. SURE-AI is one of these

six centres.
For information about SimulaMet, Simula Research Laboratory and Norway, please check out the full