Associate professor in cybernetics/control engineering/mechatronics

1000scholars; Narvik; On-site; NOK 645,000 - 815,000; Full time

Job summary

UiT The Arctic University of Norway invites applications for an Associate Professor in cybernetics, control engineering, or mechatronics. The role focuses on teaching and research with applications to satellites and autonomous systems, within the Department of Electrical Engineering in Narvik.

The successful candidate will contribute to education and interdisciplinary research, including ML/AI relevance. The position requires a PhD and pedagogical qualifications, Norwegian language proficiency

Qualifications

• PhD in cybernetics, control engineering, mechatronics, or an equivalent relevant field.
• Educational/pedagogical qualifications in accordance with current requirements.
• Proficiency in a Scandinavian language (Norwegian or equivalent) at CEFR B2; language plan if not fulfilled at appointment.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills; ability to work independently and in a structured manner.
• Commitment to teaching quality and student learning; contribution to academic environment and study programmes.
• Interest in applying cybernetics, control engineering and/or mechatronics to autonomous systems and space technology.
• Desirable: publications, industry collaboration, grant applications, project-based/digital teaching methods.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of research and teaching in cybernetics, control engineering and/or mechatronics.
• Affiliation with Electromechanical Systems research group and degree programmes in related fields.
• Teach at bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels; engage in student-active, project-based or digital teaching methods.
• Collaborate across disciplinary fields and contribute to an inclusive, positive working environment.

Skills

Norwegian language (CEFR B2)

English proficiency

collaboration & communication

independent and structured work

teaching quality & student learning

Education

PhD in cybernetics, control engineering, mechatronics

Tools

Python

C/C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Associate professor in cybernetics/control engineering/mechatronics

Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology

The position

A full-time position as an Associate Professor is available at the Department of Electrical Engineering (IET) within the fields cybernetics/control engineering/mechatronics, with applications in satellite technology and autonomous systems.

The position will be affiliated with the department’s research group in Electromechanical Systems, as well as its bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in electrical engineering, electronics, satellite engineering, and possibly other relevant engineering disciplines.

We are seeking an academic who can contribute to the development of research and teaching in cybernetics, control engineering, and/or mechatronics, with applications to satellites and autonomous/unmanned systems. Relevant expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence will be considered an advantage.

The Department of Electrical Engineering is one of five departments at the Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The department is located at UiT’s campus in Narvik and includes academic, technical, and administrative staff, as well as PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers.

The department offers education at bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels and conducts teaching and research in areas including electrical engineering, electric power engineering, industrial electronics, automation, and satellite and space technology.

The department has a growing research activity, with projects funded by public-sector organisations and industry. Emphasis is placed on applied and experimental research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of technology relevant to the High North. Research activities are organised within the Electromechanical Systems research group, which works thematically in areas such as satellite applications, autonomous systems, power electronics, smart grids, renewable energy, and charging technologies.

The position is campus-based, and we believe that physical presence is important for teaching, student supervision, research collaboration and participation in the academic environment. It is therefore expected that your primary workplace is at UiT Narvik and that you are regularly present on campus.

The workplace is at UiT in Narvik. You must be able to start the position in Narvik within a reasonable time after receiving an offer.

Contact

• Head of Department: Arild Steen, phone [phone], email [e-mail]
• Research group leader: Raymond Kristiansen, phone [phone], email [e-mail]
• Head of studies: Jose Juan Corona Sanchez, phone [phone], email [e-mail]

Qualifications

• A PhD in cybernetics, control engineering, mechatronics, or an equivalent relevant field
• educational/pedagogical qualifications in accordance with current requirements
• proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language. The position requires proficiency in a Scandinavian language equivalent to level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). New employees who do not fulfill the language criteria by appointment are required, within three years, to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language. Arrangements will be made to facilitate the completion of Norwegian courses.
• good command of written and spoken English
• personal suitability: We will emphasize the applicants motivation for the position and personal suitability. We are looking for candidates who have:
• has strong collaboration and communication skills
• can work independently and in a structured manner
• is committed to teaching quality and student learning
• wishes to contribute to the development of the academic environment, research activities, and study programmes
• can establish collaboration across disciplinary fields
• wishes to contribute to an inclusive and positive working environment
• has an interest in applying cybernetics, control engineering, and/or mechatronics, particularly in autonomous systems and space technology, or in other areas of societal relevance

Desirable qualification

• experience and qualifications in relevant applications of cybernetics, control engineering, and/or mechatronics, documented in the form of scientific publications, reports, presentations, or similar
• experience with project work in collaboration with industry, the public sector, or research institutions, as well as developing research grant applications and securing external funding
• experience in teaching and supervision at bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD level, as well as developing student-active, project-based, or digital teaching methods

In addition to the qualification requirements stated above, it is desirable that you have expertise or experience in one or more of the following areas:

• modelling, simulation, guidance, navigation, and/or control of dynamic systems
• satellite systems, small satellites, payloads, or other space-related applications
• autonomous systems, preferably unmanned aerial vehicles and multirotor systems
• machine learning and artificial intelligence applied to satellites and autonomous/unmanned systems
• programming and use of relevant development and simulation tools, such as Python, C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools
• embedded systems, real-time systems, and hardware-near programming

When ranking applicants, we will place emphasis on achievements from the past 3–5 years.

At UiT we put emphasis on the quality, relevance and significance of the research work and not on where the work is published, in accordance with the principles of The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

Gender Representation and Diversity

UiT aims to achieve gender balance in teaching and research positions. In cases where candidates have equivalent qualifications, priority will be given to the underrepresented gender. Men/women are encouraged to apply for the position.

Pedagogical competence

All applicants for teaching and research positions must document their educational competence in their application.

Those who do not meet the requirements for pedagogical competence upon employment will be required to meet them within two years. UiT offers courses in educational competence to employees.

You must have acquired basic competence for teaching and supervision at university and college level. This entails basic skills in planning, implementing, evaluating and developing teaching and supervision.

See how to document educational competence: About the pedagogical portfolio - Result (English guide at the bottom of the page).

Work- and salary conditions

• A professionally strong and interdisciplinary working environment
• Interesting research and teaching responsibilities
• The opportunity to contribute to the development of a strategically important field
• Access to laboratories and technical infrastructure in electrical engineering, automation, electronics, and satellite technology
• Collaboration with excellent colleagues and students from many countries
• Strong opportunities for collaboration with industry and external research environments
• Favourable terms for sabbatical leave for permanent associate professors
• Good employee welfare benefits
• Good pension, insurance, and loan schemes through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The successful candidate must be willing to get involved in the ongoing development of their department and the university as a whole.

The allocation of working hours is flexible and allocated on a case-by-case basis. In general, Associate Professors will spend an equal amount of time on teaching and research and development work after time spent on other duties has been deducted. As a norm, the time resources spent on administrative duties constitutes 5 % for academic staff.

The remuneration for Associate Professor is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1011, with a gross annual salary ranging from NOK 645000 to 815000,- in a 100 % position. In special cases, a higher salary may be considered.

As a state employee, you have one of the best pension schemes available. For more information see: spk.no.

Assessment

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee's mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants' qualifications on the basis of the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description drawn up for the position.

The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview shall among other things, aim to clarify the applicants personal suitability for the position and motivations. A trial lecture may also be held.