Researcher in Industrial Ontology research 

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About the position

One position as Research Fellow is available at the SIRIUS Laboratory, located in the Reliable systems (PSY) research group at the Department of Informatics. Starting date no later than January 1, 2024.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is announced for a period of two (2) years with possibilities for extension of up to one (1) more year, dependent of availability of external funding. 


Knowledge development in a changing world - Science and technology towards 2030

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences


Project description

The position is funded by the European project Tec4MaaSEs (http://tec4maases.eu/) where University of Oslo/SIRIUS Laboratory is partner. In the Tec4MaaSEs project the SIRIUS Laboratory will, in collaboration with partners in the project,

  • Develop system models within several engineering domains using the As-set Information Modelling Framework IMF (http://www.imfid.org/)
  • Contribute to further development of IMF by integration with industrial ontologies such as the Industrial Data Ontology IDO (ISO/CD 23726-3) and the Industrial Ontologies Foundry (https://oagi.org/pages/industrial-ontologies)
  • Contribute to further development of IMF by integration with initiatives in the Industry 4.0 program, in particular the Asset Administration Shell AAS (https://industrialdigitaltwin.org/en/)

The appointee is expected to deliver high quality research and, in addition, to be active in the following project related tasks:

  • Participation in standardization committee work
  • Use-case modeling team work 
  • Development of dissemination material like training packages
  • Delivery of training sessions to project partners
  • Dissemination on the SIRIUS Laboratory web site

Qualification requirements:

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.

  • Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in informatics). Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment. 
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

We seek applicants with a strong background in ontology engineering. Documented experience in one or several of the following areas is an advantage:

  • Ontology based knowledge representation in an industrial domain like, e.g. engineering or geoscience
  • Design and application of system modeling languages
  • Connecting simulation models and knowledge models
  • The Basic Formal Ontology BFO (https://basic-formal-ontology.org/)
  • Current and in-work standards, in particular related to Industry 4.0

Personal skills

We seek applicants that are:

  • Positive, with a strong team working attitude
  • Willing to prioritize urgent project needs 
  • Willing to work hard to meet important project deadlines 

We offer:

  • Salary NOK 575 400 – 777 900 per year depending on qualifications in position as Researcher (position code 1109)
  • Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
  • Professionally stimulating working environment
  • Vibrant international academic environment
  • Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

The application must include:

  • Cover letter (statement of motivation, 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 
  • A complete list of publications and up to 3 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
  • Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. 

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.


Formal regulations:

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.


Contact persons:

For further information please contact Professor Arild Waaler, e-mail: [email protected] or Senior Adviser Maunya Doroudi Moghadam, e-mail: [email protected]

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system please contact HR-adviser Therese Ringvold, email: [email protected]