Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in ICT

UiA CoLAB; Västernorrlands län; On-site; SEK 627,000 - 679,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Publication training

International collaborations

Diversity & inclusion

Public Service Pension Fund

Job summary

University of Agder in Grimstad invites applications for a fixed-term Post-doctoral Research Fellow in cybersecurity for electrical smart grid. The role focuses on information and cyber-physical security in energy infrastructure, using HIL testbeds and cloud-enabled platforms.

Three-year appointment with international collaboration opportunities. The candidate should hold a PhD in engineering/computing and demonstrate strong programming skills (Python, MATLAB, C/C++), plus English proficiency.

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, computer and control systems engineering or related field.
• Simulation and modeling for industrial systems.
• Written and spoken English proficiency; international candidates may need TOEFL/IELTS.
• Technical expertise in CPS security, Python/MATLAB/C/C++ programming, physics-informed methods.
• Experience with anomaly detection, stealthy attacks, code/data/command injection.

Responsibilities

• Protect energy infrastructure from cyber attacks in CPS environments.
• Develop robust cyber-defense solutions using HIL testbeds.
• Utilize cloud, IoT, and AI for scalable, secure grid operations.
• Collaborate with international partners and research teams.

Skills

CPS security

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Anomaly detection

Stealthy attacks

Code injection

Data injection

Simulation & modeling

Education

PhD in engineering/computing

Job description

5th November 2026

Languages

English

English

About The Position

A fixed-term 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow in cybersecurity for Electrical Smart Grid, affiliated to the Department of Information and Communication Technology for a period of three years. The position is located at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is as soon as possible or by agreement with the university.

Responsibilities

The energy infrastructure is one of the most complex and critical infrastructures, as other sectors depend upon it to deliver their essential services. Therefore, unavailability in supply of energy has a high potential impact on the economy and proper functioning of the civil society that can last longer than the time of the incident itself. The criticality of the energy sector and the possible high impact of cyber incidents and attacks are well understood and agreed among stakeholders. Consequently, there is an urgent need to protect energy systems to have secure energy supply. Since the energy sector is under continuous change digital technologies are playing an increasingly important role in the sector. A smarter energy system can provide power generation, transmission, network management and market-related tasks with better precision and faster response times than a human-dependent system.

Cloud-based Operation systems or digitized transformer stations are forms of emerging solutions to support efficient electrical grid operations that utilize cloud technology. Use of IoT and AI to build a scalable platform will provide flexibility for both service providers and operational staff with incorporated security, testing capabilities and improved reliability. However, the increased efficiency resulting from digitalization of the electrical grid infrastructure comes with a price: increased exposure to cyber incidents and attacks. These threats apply to all - generation, transmission, distribution and process technologies, and to energy market services.

Unlike IT systems, a control system in the energy sector that is under attack cannot be easily disconnected from the network as this could potentially result in safety issues, and blackouts. Therefore, the anticipated Post-doctoral research focus areas will be information and cyber physical system (CPS) security and operational safety in the energy sector to support reliability and resilience of electrical grid infrastructure against cyber-attacks, such as false data injection. By utilizing advanced monitoring and detection systems and hardware in the loop (HIL) testbeds, the candidate will work to develop robust cyber-defense solutions for critical infrastructure protection.

Required Qualifications

• PhD degree in engineering & sciences, computer and control systems engineering, or a similar/related field.
• Simulation and modeling for industrial systems.
• Written and spoken English proficiency. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
  • TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paper-based Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
  • IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5
• Technical expertise in the following areas:
  • Background in CPS systems’ security
  • Strong programming skills, especially in Python, MATLAB, and/or C/C++.
  • Physics-informed methods
  • Anomaly detection in CPS
  • Stealthy attacks
  • Code, data, or command injection

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in operational technology, e.g., SCADA systems, autonomous systems.
• Experience in electric power engineering (elkraft).
• Experience in cybersecurity incident management.
• Experience in machine learning/artificial intelligence methods.
• Experience in simulation and modeling.
• Prior experience in project managing.
• Prior experience in writing research proposals.
• Reviewer in conferences/journals in engineering & sciences, computer and control systems engineering, ICT, computer science or a similar/related field.

Personal qualities

Personal suitability, good teamwork and communication skills, inventiveness, and a proactive approach will be emphasized in the evaluation as well as relevant practical experience. The Post-doctoral Research Fellow will be expected to contribute to an active research community that promotes the personal and professional growth of the doctoral candidate. The position places great demands on the applicant’s capacity for independent goal-oriented work, ability to concentrate and attention to detail.

We offer

• Training to publish in the top journals and conferences in the covered areas.
• Professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organization
• International collaborations with industrial partners
• A positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
• Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
• Membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.510, code 1352 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, NOK 600000 – 650 000 gross salary per year. Higher salary grades may be considered for particularly well-qualified applicants. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically.

The Following Documentation Must Be Uploaded Electronically

• Motivation letter.
• Complete post-secondary transcript of all academic degrees. When attaching a non-Norwegian academic transcript that does not include a description of the grading system (e.g. maximum grade and minimum passing grade) used by the issuing institution, a (preferably official) description should also be attached. The description may simply contain a link to an official website where the grading system is explained.
• Updated CV with a complete list of scientific publications
• PhD thesis or link
• Up to 5 representative publications or links
• A description of the applicant’s research interests the relevance of your expertise to the advertised position and a preliminary work plan
• Applicants who are required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date)

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in English or in a Scandinavian language.

Application deadline: 05.11.26

Contact

• Professor Vladimir Oleshchuk, tel. [phone] , email: [e-mail]
• Dr. Nadia Noori, tel. [phone], email: [e-mail]
• Head of Department Folke Haugland, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]

For Questions About The Application Process

• HR-adviser Linda H. Kristiansen, tel. [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]

University of Agder

The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.

Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?

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The University of Agder has more than 1500 employees and almost 14 000 students, making us one of Southern Norway's largest workplaces. Our dedicated staff engage in research, teaching and dissemination across a diverse range of fields.

The university is located on two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad.

Deadline

5th November 2026

Employer

University of Agder

Municipality

Grimstad

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service

Jon Lilletunsvei 9, 4879 Grimstad