PhD Fellowship in AI-Based Shift Scheduling: Optimization of Competence Utilization

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1st September 2025
Languages
English

• Norsk Bokmål
• English

English

Do you want to research work scheduling using artificial intelligence?

PhD Fellowship in AI-Based Shift Scheduling: Optimization of Competence Utilization 
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About the position:

At Nord University, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, there is a temporary position available as a PhD fellow in professional science, focusing on optimizing competence utilization in home-based services. The employment period is either 100% for three years, or four years with 75% fellowship time and 25% duty work.

The doctoral project is part of one of four work packages in the research project OptiCare-AI: AI-Driven Solutions for Full-Time Culture and Competence Utilization, funded by the Research Council of Norway. As a PhD fellow, you will be part of an experienced research team that also includes another PhD fellow starting simultaneously, employed in Vestvågøy municipality.

Despite Norway having one of the highest proportions of healthcare personnel in the world, many municipalities struggle to recruit and retain the necessary competence in health services. This project aims to develop new knowledge on how home-based services can be organized in a new and better way to meet the future needs for healthcare personnel, with a particular focus on task sharing, work scheduling, and full-time culture. The PhD fellow will carry out the project AI-Based Scheduling: Optimizing Workforce Utilization and Full-Time Employment in Home-Based Healthcare. The project tests AI-based shift scheduling in three municipalities to identify best practices, challenges, and opportunities that can contribute to a more sustainable organization of services. A complete project description for the research project can be obtained by contacting the main supervisor Kari Ingstad at kari.ingstad@nord.no .

Employment in the position requires an application for admission to the PhD in professional science at the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences. More information about this can be found at: PhD in Professional Science (nord.no). In consultation with supervisors, the PhD fellow will develop a final project description within the framework of the project during the first three months after employment. The dissertation should preferably be written in English.

The position is located in Levanger or Bodø, but other campuses at Nord University may also be considered. The person employed is expected to have regular presence at the office location. Tasks at the university's other study locations may occur, and some travel is expected in connection with fieldwork in the three partner municipalities in the project.

As a PhD fellow, you will:

• Participate in a structured program with doctoral courses, article writing, and scientific conferences and seminars
• Have the opportunity to go on research stays at foreign universities
• Receive guidance and support from experienced supervisors and researchers
• Have close collaboration with the municipal practice field
• Participate in the research group Acute Treatment, Innovation, and Patient Safety (AKIP) regular meetings with the opportunity to share and discuss your own research.

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Qualifications Requirements:

• Relevant professional education.
• Relevant education at the master's level (120 ECTS credits).
• A minimum average grade of B on the master's degree (ECTS grading scale) is normally required.
• It is assumed that the person appointed will be admitted to the faculty's PhD program in professional science. See admission requirements: PhD in Professional Science.
• It must be documented that all requirements related to admission to the PhD program are met.
• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA must provide approval of their master's degree from the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (formerly NOKUT approval).
• Good written and oral proficiency in English and a Scandinavian language.
• Candidates who already hold a PhD will not be considered for the position.

In the assessment and ranking of qualified applicants, emphasis will be placed on:

• Experience with relevant R&D work (publishing, methodological knowledge) in the field.
• Experience in organization and management in healthcare services.
• Themes and perspectives from the applicant's master's studies.
• The applicant's description of motivation for the doctoral work and possibilities for completion.
• Ability to work independently, purposefully, and systematically.
• Ability to collaborate with others.
• Motivation for a stay abroad (3-12 months).
• Personal suitability.

We offer:

The positions are remunerated according to the State salary scale, PhD code 1017, NOK 550 800. For particularly qualified applicants, a higher salary may be considered. Statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund are deducted from the salary.

• Good loan, insurance, and pension schemes in the State Pension Fund .
• Creative and collegial work environment.
• A workplace in continuous development.
• Flexible working hours.
• Active company sports team.
• Weekly exercise hour during working hours.
• Great nature experiences close to the office location.

General Information:

The appointee must comply with the laws, agreements, and instructions that apply to the position at any given time. Changes in responsibilities and work area may occur as a result of future organizational development and reorganization at Nord University.

The state workforce should, to the greatest extent possible, reflect the diversity of the population. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds, and otherwise diverse life experiences to apply.

Information about disabilities or gaps in the CV may be used for anonymized registration purposes.

Contakt Persons:

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting:

• Project Manager Kari Ingstad, kari.ingstad@nord.no , telefon 91337332
• Head of Subject Group Maria Strandås, maria.strandas@nord.no , telefon 47 75 51 79 43
• HR Advisor Ann Karin Størvold, ann.k.storvold@nord.no tlf: +47 74 11 20 48

Application Process:

The applicant will be assessed by an expert committee.

Relevant applicants will be invited to an interview, or other presentations.

The faculty notes that it reserves the right not to hire applicants who are scientifically qualified but do not meet other criteria such as language, pedagogical skills, research experience, or personal qualities.

Application:

Application Deadline: September 1, 2025

The electronic application must include:

• Application letter with a description of your motivation for applying for the position.
• Complete CV (education, work and teaching experience, and a list of any scientific publications).
• Copies of diplomas for both bachelor's and master's education and relevant certificates.
• Copy of the applicant's master's thesis as a PDF file.
• Names and contact information of 2-3 references (name, your relationship to the person, email, and phone number).
• Other activities considered relevant to the position and desired to be taken into account in the assessment.
• Confirmation of approved education from abroad (if relevant).

All documentation must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application.

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit complete documentation electronically by the application deadline.

After the application deadline, a public applicant list will be prepared. Please note that information about the applicant may be disclosed even after a request to be excluded from the applicant list. Applicants who still request confidentiality must justify this specifically in the application. Applicants will be pre-notified about disclosure.

Refnr. 30234722

Nord University

Through research, education and social engagement, Nord University contributes to the creation of a sustainable future.
In cooperation with society, business and industry in Northern and Central Norway, our 11,500 students and 1,350 staff promote innovative solutions and knowledge-based practice, both locally and internationally.
Nord University has four strategic focus areas: blue and green growth, sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, societal security, and health, welfare and education.
The Faculty of Nursing and Health (FSH) is responsible for education, research, and dissemination within various health science disciplines. We offer, among other things, undergraduate programs in nursing, social education, paramedicine, and pharmacy. In addition, we provide several practice-oriented master's programs, continuing education courses, and shorter studies, as well as an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in professional studies. We develop knowledge for healthcare professionals to meet the future of health and welfare services, with a focus on lifelong learning. 
FSH has 2,200 students and 250 employees. The academic environment is organized into the research groups Health and Social Participation, Care and Nursing Sciences, Healthcare Innovation, Collaboration and Leadership, Emergency Preparedness and Acute Treatment, as well as the Center for Care Research, Mid-Norway.
 

Read more: Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences | Nord.no

Apply for this job
Deadline

1st September 2025

Employer

Nord University

Municipality

Bodø
Levanger

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Universitetsalleen 11, 8026 Bodø
Høgskoleveien 27, 7600 Levanger

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