Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ontology-Based Information Modelling and AI

UiO/Anders Lien
4th August 2025
Languages
English

• English

English
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ontology-Based Information Modelling and AI
Apply for this job
See advertisement
About the position 

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow available at the SIRIUS Laboratory, located in the Reliable systems (PSY) research group at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo. 
Starting date no later than January 1, 2026.
The fellowship period is three years. A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % which is devoted to career promoting work, usually in the form of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.
Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %.
Place of work is Department of Informatics at Blindern, Oslo.

Project description

The postdoctoral position is funded by the Department of Informatics at the University of Oslo. The successful candidate will be part of the research team at SIRIUS Labs, a laboratory within the Reliable Systems (PSY) research group. SIRIUS Labs conducts high-impact 
interdisciplinary research in the areas of information modelling, formal ontology, and digital engineering.
The main research initiative of SIRIUS Labs is the development of the Information Modelling Framework (IMF: https://www.imfid.org )— a logic-based, scalable framework for representing structural specifications and domain knowledge across complex engineering and 
industrial systems. The lab maintains a wide academic network and collaborates extensively with industry, especially through externally funded European research projects.
Key objective of the position:
To advance foundational research at the intersection of formal ontology, information modelling, and artificial intelligence. The postdoc will contribute to both the theoretical and applied dimensions of the IMF initiative and is expected to:

• Investigate how logical and philosophical theories can support the structuring and modelling of knowledge in practical contexts. 
• Participate in the development of IMF by bringing in methods from formal ontology and philosophical logic, yet tailored to the practical needs of, e.g., complex engineering information systems. 
• Collaborate with domain experts to develop methods for capturing and integrating knowledge from diverse industries (e.g., manufacturing, energy, geoscience). 
• Explore the combination of Generative AI, logic-based models, and systems engineering principles to support next-generation digital workflows — including methods for knowledge graph construction, advanced querying, and data quality assurance. 
• Contribute to aligning the developed methods with emerging standards for information modelling and management, such as: Asset Administration Shells (https://industrialdigitaltwin.org/en/), BFO/IOF (https://oagi.org/pages/industrialontologies ), and IDO (ISO/CD 23726-3).

Expected contributions to SIRIUS Labs: 
In addition to delivering high-quality research, the appointee will be expected to: 

• Take part in project coordination and contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration with subject-matter experts from both academia and industry. 
• Work independently while engaging actively with colleagues involved in ongoing externally funded projects. 
• Disseminate research results through academic publications, conference presentations, and reports.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

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:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in computer science. 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 and a Scandinavian language

Desired qualifications:

• Strong background in ontology-based knowledge representation within an industrial domain such as engineering, geoscience, or energy systems.
• Solid understanding of both foundational and philosophical aspects of ontology, as well as informatic and computational aspects of knowledge modelling.
• Familiarity with semantic technologies (e.g., OWL, RDF, SPARQL), knowledge graphs, and data transformation pipelines.
• Experience with — or strong interest in — applied AI research, particularly in combining ontologies and knowledge graphs with modern AI techniques such as Generative AI.
• Knowledge of engineering data standards (e.g., Asset Administration Shells) and foundational ontologies (e.g., BFO/IOF, UFO, IDO).
• Experience participating in EU-funded or international collaborative research projects.
• A demonstrated ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and engage effectively with experts across domains.

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.

Colourbox via Unsplash Colourbox
What are we looking for in you? 

• Independent, self-motivated, and committed to producing high-quality research.
• Positive and collaborative, with a strong team-oriented mindset.
• Willing to prioritize urgent project needs and work across disciplinary boundaries.
• Adaptable and responsive, with a readiness to meet important project deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and effectively.

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

Jarli & Jordan / UiO via Unsplash Jarli & Jordan / UiO
We can offer you 

• 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.
• Committed colleagues in a good working 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 Postdoctoral Fellow, position code 1352 in salary range NOK from 595 000 - 690 000, 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. 

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

Application

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• As part of the application, candidates are asked to submit a brief research vision statement (1–2 pages). This document should outline the applicant’s perspective on relevant research challenges and opportunities at the intersection of formal ontology, information modelling, and AI, and how these might be addressed during the postdoctoral period. The research vision will serve as a basis for discussion during the interview.
• 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 3 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee. The committee may request more academic works to be forwarded. 
• 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".

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. 

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.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian) and Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts 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.

via Unsplash
UiO/ Anders Lien via Unsplash UiO/ Anders Lien
University of Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 26 500 students and 7 200 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society. 

The Department of Informatics (IFI) is one of nine departments belonging to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. IFI is Norway’s largest university department for general education and research in Computer Science and related topics. 

The Department has more than 1800 students on bachelor level, 600 master students, and over 240 PhDs and postdocs. The overall staff of the Department is close to 370 employees, about 280 of these in full time positions. The full time tenured academic staff is 75, mostly Full/Associate Professors.

Questions about the position

Arild Waaler

Professor

+4722840055

arild@ifi.uio.no

For questions about the recruitment system, please contact Therese Ringvold

HR Adviser

therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no

Apply for this job
Deadline

4th August 2025

Employer

University of Oslo

Municipality

Oslo

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Engagement

Place of service
Gaustadalléen 23 B, 0373 Oslo

Loading...