About the Position

A fixed-term 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science, as a PhD Research Fellow in Vision-Language Models in Remote Sensing, affiliated with the Department of Information and Communication Technology, for a period of three years. The position is currently located at Campus Grimstad, with a negotiable starting date.

Responsibilities

Vision-language models excel in recognizing objects in images, inferring their relationships, and generating image descriptions in natural languages. They are ideal for tasks like image captioning, text-based image retrieval, and visual question answering. Their application in remote sensing for semantic understanding of objects and relationships is a growing research field. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of new vision-language models at the frontiers of remote sensing. Research topics for the PhD Research Fellow include, but are not limited to:

The ideal candidate will have expertise in one or more of the following:

• Computer Vision
• Natural Language Processing
• Remote Sensing
• Deep Learning
• Reinforcement Learning
• Large Language Models
• Vision-Language Models

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in ICT, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a related field with documented competence in relevant areas. Candidates in the final stage of their master’s education may also be considered, provided they obtain their degree before enrollment. Applications from those already holding a PhD are typically not considered.
• Strong academic credentials
• Technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Computer Vision
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Remote Sensing
  • Deep Learning
  • Reinforcement Learning
  • Large Language Models
  • Vision-Language Models
• Proficiency in written and spoken English. International candidates must document their proficiency 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 (PBT) or 92 (iBT)
  • IELTS - International English Language Testing System with a minimum score of 6.5

Applicants will be assessed based on academic background, results, and any previous research and development work. A prerequisite for employment is admission to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Specialisation in Engineering Sciences.

Desired Qualifications

• Publication track record in Q1 journals specializing in Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence

Personal Qualities

• Ability to work independently and proactively towards research goals
• Good teamwork skills and inventiveness
• Strong working relationships with both industrial and academic partners
• Good analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in an academic setting

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasized.

We Offer

• Professional development in a large, exciting, and socially influential organization
• 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 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 532,200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay as per current statutory provisions.

General Information

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

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with current regulations for the position. Organizational changes and changes in duties and responsibilities must be expected. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University reserves the right to publish the names of applicants and will advise them of this intention.

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) must be sent electronically using the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:

• Certificates with grades
• Master’s thesis/Summary (approximately 1-2 pages) of the master's thesis; for those in the final stage of their Master’s education without a degree, transcripts without thesis results can be provided, with the evaluation result of the thesis submitted later.
• Applicants with a foreign higher education must attach an official description of the grading system used at the issuing institution
• Academic work and R&D projects, along with a list of these
• Summary or links to the applicant's scientific publications (if any)
• Project description (maximum x pages) including reference list, presenting and discussing possible research questions, theory perspectives, material, progress plan, and methods within the given framework
• Applicants required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date)
• References

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

Application deadline: 24.09.24.

Contact

For questions about the position:

• Professor Turgay Celik, tel. +47 37 23 33 35, e-mail: turgay.celik@uia.no

For questions about the application process:

• HR Advisor Linda H. Kristiansen, tel. +47 48 14 06 09, e-mail: linda.h.kristiansen@uia.no

Creating Knowledge Together

When committed individuals come together to further knowledge, anything is possible. 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?

University of Agder

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.