PhD Research Fellow in Systems Engineering - Learning Ecosystem

University of South-Eastern Norway; Kongsberg; On-site; NOK 496,000 - 606,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary in NOK 550,800 per year (state

Organised research training

Access to CELECT partner network

Career development opportunities

Job summary

University of South-Eastern Norway invites applications for a PhD Research Fellow in Systems Engineering – Learning Ecosystem. The position is campus-based at Kongsberg with CELECT collaboration and potential 4-year track with 25% teaching duties.

You will conduct research on competency frameworks for systems engineering, AI and business innovation, working with industry partners and universities, and contribute to education and training programs.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Systems Engineering or industrial tech management.
• Weighted average grade of B or higher on master’s degree and thesis.
• Thesis must be submitted for assessment by the application deadline and approved before starting.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral programme within the employment period.
• Conduct high-quality research within the described framework.
• Publish in high-quality journals and present at conferences.
• Collaborate with CELECT partners through interviews, surveys and workshops.
• Co-design and evaluate learning modules with CELECT partners.
• Participate in NISE and INRESCOS research activities.
• Engage in international conferences or research stays.
• Be prepared for changes in tasks after appointment.

Skills

Research collaboration

English proficiency

Analytical thinking

Structured problem solving

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Thesis submitted and approved before start

Strong academic performance (B or higher)

Job description

PhD Research Fellow in Systems Engineering - Learning Ecosystem

University of South-Eastern Norway

Stillingstittel PhD Research Fellow in Systems Engineering – Systems Engineering Learning Ecosystem: competencies f

PhD Research Fellow in Systems Engineering – Systems Engineering Learning Ecosystem: competencies for systems engineering, AI and business innovation

Do you want to contribute to the development of knowledge, insight and solutions that are relevant to society and working life today and in the future?

We are looking for a PhD research fellow within Systems Engineering.

Do you want to shape how Norwegian industry learns systems engineering, AI and innovation? Join us as a PhD research fellow at the Department of Science and Industry Systems, campus Kongsberg. Start: May 2027 (at the latest August 2027).

You will be part of SFI CELECT – the Centre for Effective Engineering and Learning in Complex Systems – whose vision is to do more with less, and faster. The centre, funded by the Research Council of Norway, brings together Norway's leading industrial companies and 30 PhD candidates across USN, NTNU and the University of Agder. You will also join the Industrial Research School in Complex Systems (INRESCOS).

The position is a three-year educational position with pure organised research training. A four-year appointment with 25 % career-advancing work may be considered.

You must apply for and be admitted to the doctoral programme in Technology (Systems Engineering) within three months after starting in the position. The programme includes courses of about six months (30 ECTS), an independent thesis, research dissemination, a trial lecture and a public defence.

Your workplace will be campus Kongsberg. You will work closely with several CELECT partner companies through interviews, surveys and workshops.

Campus Kongsberg sits at the heart of one of Norway's strongest technology clusters, with world-leading companies in maritime, defence, aerospace, energy and subsea technology. Research and industry work side by side – giving you a unique network and strong career opportunities in industry or academia.

About the doctoral project

The aim of this PhD is to develop and validate a competency framework for systems engineering, AI and business innovation and translate it into work-integrated learning for Norwegian industry.

Companies lack an overview of which competencies their engineers need and how to build them while they keep working.

• What competency gaps exist in Norwegian industry today?
• Which learning formats actually work for engineers in full-time jobs?
• How can universities and companies co-develop learning that lasts?

You will help shape the final research questions in cooperation with your supervisors and industry partners.

The project is part of SFI CELECT (project PhD5.1), and a workpackage headed by Gerrit Muller. You will run surveys, workshops and pilot courses with CELECT partners such as Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, TechnipFMC, Siemens Energy, Nammo, Knightec Group, Hive and Herøya Industripark, together with NTNU, UiA and INRESCOS – and your results will feed directly into training at least 200 engineers.

This position is one of several related CELECT PhD positions at USN: it focuses on competence and learning, and complements positions on early design and validation (PhD1.3), life-cycle management of long-living systems (PhD1.4) and early systems integration in systems-of-systems (PhD1.5).

Duties

• Complete the doctoral programme up to completion of the doctoral degree within the employment period
• Conduct high-calibre research within the framework described above
• Academic publications in high-quality journals and participate conferences
• Work closely with several partner companies through interviews, surveys and workshops, combining qualitative and quantitative research
• Co-design, pilot and evaluate learning modules and micro-credentials together with CELECT partners
• Report progress and deliver outputs to the CELECT centre
• Participate in the Norwegian Industrial Systems Engineering Research Group ( NISE )
• Active involvement in SFI CELECT's doctoral team across NTNU, USN and UiA, including the research school INRESCOS and participation in common workshops, learning events and courses
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign research and educational institutions
• Be prepared for changes in your work tasks after appointment

Qualifications

All items are requirements, unless it is specified that they are preferred qualifications.

• Master's degree (120 ECTS credits) within Systems Engineering, an engineering discipline, industrial economics and technology management, computer science, or a closely related field
• Documented knowledge of relevant methodologies, both quantitative and/or qualitative, at master's level
• Weighted average grade of B or higher on the master's degree and thesis
• The master’s thesis must have been submitted for assessment by the application deadline for the position and approved before starting in the position
• Knowledge of systems engineering and/or business model innovation is preferred
• Knowledge of competency frameworks, engineering education, workplace learning or learning analytics is preferred
• Understanding of AI in engineering is preferred
• Industrial experience from Norwegian industry and or teaching, is preferred
• Proficiency in a Scandinavian language, or Norwegian at level B2, is preferred
• Excellent written and oral English language skills
• Meet the formal requirements for admission to USN's doctoral programmes and the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences' doctoral programme in Technology , with the topic of Systems Engineering, no later than three months after starting in the position

Personal qualities

In order to be able to complete a doctoral degree, you need to be able to:

• demonstrate motivation and potential for research in the field
• work independently, but also participate in teamwork
• work in a structured way, set goals, and make plans to achieve them
• present and discuss your research with other academics
• get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
• show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject area
• analyse data, assess different perspectives, and draw well-founded conclusions
• work collaboratively in an industrial setting with the CELECT partners
• be flexible and open to adjusting the project plan as necessary
• have the academic skills and personal qualities to be able to complete the doctoral programme within the employment period

When assessing applications, particular importance will be attached to

• Formal qualifications
• The personal qualities mentioned above
• Motivation letter
• Work experience from Norwegian industry
• Qualifications and experience in systems engineering, competence development and/or engineering education/teaching

Requirements for proficiency in English

This position requires good English language skills. International applicants must document this with a valid certificate from one of the following tests. Specific requirements regarding grades can be found on our webpage English requirement for programmes and subjects taught in English at USN .

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT)
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic

The following applicants are exempt from the requirements listed above:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK or USA
• Applicants who have completed a master’s degree with English as the language of instruction in an EU or EEA country
• Applicants who are exempt based on the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir)’s GSU list (Higher Education Entrance Qualification for foreign applicants)

Applicants from Norway can confirm their English language skills by submitting their upper secondary school diploma.

Requirements for proficiency in Norwegian

The position has no formal requirement for proficiency in Norwegian. Proficiency in a Scandinavian language, or Norwegian at level B2 ( language levels as defined by HK-dir ), is preferred.

Applicants who wish this to be taken into account must document their language skills in the application (see How to apply).

Requirements regarding a licence and/or security clearance

The applicant must meet the requirements for authorization for restricted. You can read more about security clearance on the websites of the National Security Authority and the Civil Clearance Authority . For the position, an export licence is also required, and the applicant must meet the requirements for this. You can read more about export licences on DEKSA's website .

Motivation letter

Applicants must submit a motivation letter with the application. This should be short and concise, maximum 500 words.

The final project description and work plan will be prepared in consultation with the supervisor(s) during the first three months of the employment period. It is a prerequisite that you complete the project during the employment period.

What we offer

• Organised research training in a large undertaking with an important social mission
• Careers advice and guidance throughout the entire doctoral programme. Together we will draw up a career plan that includes the skills and knowledge you will acquire
• An inclusive working environment with ambitious colleagues
• The opportunity to take Norwegian language courses
• Salary in accordance with the Norwegian State salary scale for PhD research fellows (position code 1017) NOK 550,800. In special cases, code 1378 may be used. Any further increases in pay grade will be based on length of service in the position
• Deductions will be made from your salary in order to make statutory contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund on your behalf
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund , ensuring favourable pension, insurance and loan schemes

Diversity

We believe that diversity is a resource in our work and learning environment. Different experiences and backgrounds contribute to different perspectives and better solutions to challenges that need to be solved.

We are committed to respecting each other's differences and will facilitate employees with disabilities. We take into account your needs and your situation in different phases of life.

If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CV or an immigrant background, we will call at least one applicant in each of these groups for an interview. If you recognize yourself in one of these categories, you can tick the box in our job search portal.

The university aims to recruit more women to PhD positions within the field. If multiple applicants are considered to have equivalent qualifications, a woman will be given priority over a man.

General information

The Appointment Committee for Fellowship Positions (TUS) is the appointing authority for this position. Your competence for the position will be assessed by an expert committee. The expert committee will assess your competence for the position based on the documentation you have registered in Jobbnorge.

Based on the expert committee’s assessment, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview and to hold a trial lecture. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates.

Employment at USN is carried out in accordance with the principles set out in the Norwegian Civil Service Act , and the legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation, it will be rejected without further consideration.

The University's Guidelines for Recruitment Positions provide a more detailed description of the criteria for appointment as a PhD research fellow.

As an employee of USN, you must at all times adapt to changes in the field and all organisational changes that are adopted.

Contact information

For more information about the position, please contact:

Head of Department Professor Aida Omerovic, [e-mail] , [phone]

Professor Kristin Falk, [e-mail] , [phone]

Professor Satyanarayana (Satya) Kokkula, [e-mail] , [phone]

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:

Advisor Tonje Holt Vøllestad, [e-mail]

About us

The University of Southwestern Norway (USN) ranks as the country's fourth largest higher education institution. We are a vibrant community of approximately 18,000 students and 1,900 employees.

About the Faculty and Department

Department of Science and Industry Systems – University of South-Eastern Norway:

Institutt for realfag og industrisystemer - Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge

Video: https://vimeo.com/898549899/60305e2540

At USN you’ll contribute to a mission that matters.The University of Southwestern Norway was established in 2018, following the merger of several smaller university colleges, some with historical roots dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. We are committed to collaborative problem-solving, aiming to provide solutions that benefit our communities – locally as well as globally.
Our diverse campuses are located from the beautiful fjords to the snow-covered mountains. USN spans three Norwegian counties, with campuses in Bø, Drammen, Horten, Kongsberg, Notodden, Porsgrunn, Ringerike, and Rauland.
Wherever you’re located, you will engage in meaningful work amidst a thriving student culture and innovative research environments. Our university offers a wide range of high-quality and internationally recognized academic programs.With a strong emphasis on profession-oriented and socially relevant education, we prepare our students for the workforce and equip them with the necessary skills to make a positive impact on society.
At USN, we deeply value and cultivate our relationships with local communities. Our staff and students are actively engaged in a variety of projects that address societal challenges, driving change and innovation. We place a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, and we strive to shape future leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
Read more about working for us: (link to) Work for us - Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge

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