PhD Research Fellow in Formal Methods and Knowledge Representation for Engineering Information

For further information please contact Andrea Pferscher; Oslo; On-site; NOK 550,800 - 595,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary progression with pension plan

Job summary

The University of Oslo invites applications for a PhD Research Fellow in Formal Methods and Knowledge Representation for Engineering Information at the Department of Informatics, Blindern, Oslo. The starting date is no later than 31.12.2026 and the fellowship lasts three years.

The research focuses on modelling and analysis of complex industrial systems, with emphasis on temporal modelling, knowledge graphs, and formal verification, bridging static design and dynamic operation.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science or related field.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Excellent academic background in formal methods, logic, theoretical computer science, or related areas
• Strong background in computer science and mathematics
• Demonstrated interest in formal modelling, verification, or knowledge representation
• Experience with formal specification and modelling
• Experience with formal verification
• Experience with software engineering and software technology
• Experience with scientific publication and conducting research
• Experience with teamwork
• Interest in mathematics and natural science
• Experience with industrial systems

Responsibilities

• Develop formal methods and knowledge representation for modelling and analysis of manufacturing and intralogistics systems.
• Investigate integrated representations for static and dynamic engineering information.
• Explore temporal modelling concepts, knowledge graphs, and formal verification techniques.
• Enable automatic synthesis of timed and probabilistic behavioural models for model checking and optimization.
• Bridge static designs and dynamic operational analysis.

Skills

Formal modelling

Verification

Knowledge representation

Teamwork

Structured work

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Science or related

Four-year foreign degree (M.Sc.-level)

Job description

About the position

We invite applications for a PhD Research Fellow in Formal Methods and Knowledge Representation for Engineering Information at the Department of Informatics.

Starting date no later than 31.12.2026.

The fellowship period is three years.

Depending on the candidate and the teaching needs of the department, the fellowship period can be extended either for compulsory work consisting of e.g., teaching and supervision duties and research assistance up to four years.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Place of work is Department of Informatics at Blindern, Oslo.

Job description

This PhD project focuses on developing formal methods and knowledge representation techniques for the modelling and analysis of complex manufacturing and intralogistics systems, such as highly automated factories and warehouses with autonomous components. It addresses a fundamental challenge in industrial digitalization: the lack of formal, machine-interpretable representations that integrate structural, functional, spatial, and temporal aspects of engineering information. The research will investigate how such integrated representations can support consistency checking, automated reasoning, and the synthesis of behavioural models for dynamic analysis. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of temporal modelling concepts, knowledge graphs, and formal verification techniques, enabling the automatic synthesis of timed and probabilistic behavioural models for model checking, performance evaluation, and optimization. The overall objective is to establish formal foundations that bridge static engineering descriptions and dynamic behavior, ultimately bridging static system design and dynamic operational analysis.

Whatskillsareimportantinthisrole?

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.

Required qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science and equivalent fields
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Excellent academic background in formal methods, logic, theoretical computer science, or related areas
• Strong background in computer science and mathematics
• Demonstrated interest in formal modelling, verification, or knowledge representation

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with formal specification and modelling
• Experience with formal verification
• Experience with software engineering and software technology
• Experience with scientific publication and conducting research
• Experience with teamwork
• Interest in mathematics and natural science
• Experience with industrial systems

Language requirement:

• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
  https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

What are we looking for in you?

Personal skills:

• Ability to work structured, creative, independently and in a team
• Enthusiasm, readiness to learn new knowledge, and ability to take initiative
• Flexibility, ability to handle pressure and meet deadlines
• Enjoy the process of scientific communication and writing
• The candidate should be highly self-driven and able to take responsibility for their own work, including troubleshooting and acquiring additional skills required to reach the project goals
• You are a person who prefers being present at work and actively contributes to the professional and social environment you are a part of

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

We can offer you

• A pleasant and stimulating work 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
• Career development programmes
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 550 800 - 595 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund