About the position 

We have a vacancy for a PostDoc position at the Department of Computer Science (IDI) that is linked to one of the strategic areas at the department (eXtended Reality – XR-net). XR-net will act as a virtual lab and will be a joint initiative that brings together all groups at IDI that have active research related to XR (VR, AR and MR) or are interested in XR at an application level.

The main partners of IDI XR-net are VisLab: The Motion Capture and Visualization Laboratory, ColourLab: The Norwegian Colour and Visual Computing Laboratory, Visual Computing Laboratory (COMP/IDI) and the Information systems and software engineering group (ISSE). The four nodes represent unique and complimentary competence, all with knowledge and projects within XR and computer vision at an international level.

The main topics of interest range from XR hardware and software frameworks, motion tracking for XR, as well as human perceptual comfort and quality of experience of the XR environment. At an application level, teaching tools using XR, visualization of data in a digital twin context or medical applications are highly interesting for the group. 

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions.

You will report to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

Research activity: robust visualization of digital twins on XR devices 

• Explore the possibilities of combining digital twins with XR related technologies and as such provide a framework to overlay intelligent decision making onto the real world. Practical applications such as design based on Building Information Modelling (BIM) Technology as well as healthcare will be considered.  
• Process data streamed from sensors/simulators and present a dynamic, virtual, representation of the entity being modelled. Implement the communication between the XR device and a cloud representation of the digital twin system, which will allow to explore various scenarios. 
• Conduct research related to individual comfort in the context of XR applications, investigate observer discomfort when using an XR device. Identify device characteristics, users’ physiological characteristics, which may contribute to discomfort. Conduct subjective experiments to measure QoE in relation to discomfort parameters, identified previously. 
• Supervise some of the master students that are connected to the lab. 

Management, coordination, and dissemination activities 

• Setup the management infrastructure and communicate with members of the involved labs.  
• Setup an internal/external web site and a dissemination plan.  
• Research stays at all groups involved in the lab, both in Trondheim and Gjøvik.  
• Organize workshops at the different sites, these are envisaged as lunch-to-lunch meetings that will allow the group members to get to know each other. 
• Liaise/interact/participate in NTNU, national and international networks.
• Writing proposals for new collaborative projects.

Required selection criteria

• You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree in computer science or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

Preferred selection criteria

• The applicant should have a solid background in research methods and software engineering. 
• Candidates having experience with extended reality, computer graphics, computer vision, image processing and visualization will be prioritized.
• Good research skills, literature review analysis and data analysis are preferred.
• The candidate should have prior publications that are published in international journals.
• Good English and preferably Norwegian language skills (written and oral).
• Willingness to visit the lab in Gjøvik for several research stays during the PostDoc period.
• Willingness to guide master students and research assistants.

Personal characteristics

• Good communication skills and writing skills, writing proposal is part of the job.
• Willing to work as part of a team, collaborate and bring together the various research groups working on XR.
• Enthusiasm and commitment, willing to conduct research related to XR and digital twins.

We offer 

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment 
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues 
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 
• employee benefits 

Salary and conditions

Postdoctoral candidates are placed in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 545 300 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 employment period is 3 years, one of which is dedicated for compulsory work (‘pliktarbeid’).

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application 

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English or Norwegian.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas.
• Research plan related to XR / digital twins (max 3 pages).
• works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 works).
• Name, phone number and address of three referees.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. 

General information 

Working at NTNU 
 

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation 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.  

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

According to the Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Gabriel Hanssen Kiss, telephone 91 89 79 45, email gabriel.kiss@ntnu.no, or the Head of Department Professor John Krogstie, email john.krogstie@ntnu.no. 

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).  

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 2021/35956 when applying. 

Application deadline: 15.08.2021.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life. 

Department of Computer Science

We are the leading academic IT environment in Norway, and offer a wide range of theoretical and applied IT programmes of study at all levels. Our subject areas include hardware, algorithms, visual computing, AI, databases, software engineering, information systems, learning technology, HCI, CSCW, IT operations and applied data processing. The Department has groups in both Trondheim and Gjøvik. The Department of Computer Science is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline 15th August 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Campus Gløshaugen