Postdoctoral Fellow in Unconventional Close-to-Physics Computation

Gunnar Tufte; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 600,000 - 734,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Norwegian language training

Career guidance

Pension fund participation

Job summary

NTNU in Trondheim seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow in computer science focused on unconventional computing and nanoscale metamaterials. The role spans research, proposal work, and outreach, with supervision of students and collaboration across international partners.

The successful candidate will publish in leading venues, engage in HPC/experimental work, and contribute to future computational paradigms within a multidisciplinary Symbiotic computing group.

Qualifications

• Must have completed a doctoral degree in Computer Science.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality foundational research in unconventional computing and nanoscale metamaterial substrates.
• Publish in top-tier venues and disseminate results publicly.
• Engage in international collaboration and proposal writing for funding.
• Supervise students and contribute to teaching activities.
• Participate in experiments and research infrastructures internationally.

Skills

Good programming skills

Independent & collaborative

English communication

Education

Doctoral degree in Computer Science

Tools

Unknown tools

Job description

This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here .

Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0

About the position

Fundamental research in the cross section between computer science (unconventional computation) and close-to-physics computing (magnetic metamaterials) defines the aim and direction of the sought research. The candidate will be part of our multidiscipline Symbiotic computing group . Symbiotic is a dedicated research group with strong internal (and external) collaboration, focusing on a multidisciplinary approach as to define what future computers can be and do. Our mission is to realize a new computational paradigm that combines the versatility of the digital computer with the efficiency of close-to-physics computing. The group targets the full computational stack, from materials to computational models. The group has a leading role in European within the fields of unconventional computing, our Comet initiative , and Computer Architecture, our CAL initiative . The position will be part of an international environment with strong international collaboration.

Are you ready to take your research career to the next level? We offer an exciting 4-year postdoctoral position that gives you the opportunity to develop a strong profile as researcher. You will also gain valuable experience that might be relevant for your further career.

The purpose of a postdoctoral position is to build up a researcher profile that qualifies for a position as associate professor. The position may also offer additional skills that are relevant to the postdoctoral fellow's future career.

Your immediate leader will be the head of the computing unit.

About the project

The key work of the position will be within our current project portfolio, as well as defining and establishing future projects. The posit will be defined within our close-to-physic sub-research direction to explore the reservoir computing unconventional computing models (non-von Neumann architectures) as a Methode for quantifying computational properties based on emergence and complex dynamics in nanomagnet systems. Nanomagnet metamaterials, Artificial Spin Ices, are the main substrates of interest. Intermediate the research focus is toward basic computational properties of such nanomagnet ASI systems with a transition to laboratory prove of principles to be able to move toward computational devices (HPC-simulations, and Synchrotron, MOKE and MFM experiments) based on nanomagnetic metamaterials. Intermediate the research focus is toward basic computational properties of such nanomagnet ASI systems with a transition to laboratory prove of principles to be able to move toward computational devices based on nanomagnetic metamaterials. However, the research group and hence the research focus may change with discoveries of other materials or computing models.

The position also includes research proposal work, dissemination and outreach activities together with student related work, e.g. supervision.

Duties of the position

• Research at an excellent level
• Academic publications at top-tier venues and popular science dissemination
• Participating in the Symbiotic computing groups , daily operations and strategic work
• Apply for research funding and write applications and report on progress to funding sources
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Supervision of students and contribute to relevant teaching activities
• Mentoring PhD students, helping them with their research projects
• Participating in relevant experimental work at international research infrastructures
• Other career-promoting work

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a doctoral degree in Computer Science
• Good programming skills
• Documented experience in unconventional computing systems (e.g., publications)
• Documented experience with nanoscale metamaterial computational substrates (e.g., publications and/or experimental experience)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English.
• Strong relevant publication track record, e.g., n ature portfolio , Artificial Life (Artificial life Journal/Alife conference), Physical Review . Other relevant top-tier venues.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge of in Norwegian/Scandinavian language
• Experience with GPU based systems
• Experience with HPC based simulations
• Knowledge of bio-inspired computation
• International research collaboration
• International outreach, e.g., key notes, conference presentations

Personal characteristics

Working as a Postdoctoral fellow requires that you:

• Work independently
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
• Are flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An international leading research environment
• An environment with an excellent track record
• Excellent possibilities for international collaboration
• An inclusive and social work environment
• A department, and group, with sound financial resources
• An exciting job with an important social mission
• Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program where together with you we will prepare a career plan, which contains the skills and knowledge you will acquire
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a Postdoctoral Fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits .

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful . We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 667 000,- per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 4 years including career promotion work / teaching duties.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act , and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation . You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Gunnar Tufte [e-mail].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR at the computer science department at [e-mail]

Application deadline: 23.09.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.