Motivated candidates for Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Creative Human-AI Interaction

About the position

A Post-doctoral Research Fellowship in Creative Human-AI Interaction is available at the Faculty of Computer Science, Engineering and Economics at Østfold University College (ØUC). This is a full time (100%) fixed-term position for 3 years funded by Østfold University College and the Research Council of Norway. The candidate will be employed at Department of Computer Science and Communication at Østfold University College. 

The post-doctoral position is part of the Mish Mash Centre for AI and Creativity (https://www.mishmash.no/), a Norwegian AI centre funded by the Research Council of Norway (2025-2030). It comprises more than 200 faculty members from many higher education institutions in Norway, in collaboration with numerous public and private sector partners. 

The primary objective of MishMash is to create, explore, and reflect on AI for, through, and in creative practices. MishMash researchers will investigate AI's impact on creative processes, develop innovative CoCreative AI systems and educational strategies, and address AI's ethical, cultural, legal, and societal implications in creative domains. See mishmash.no (https://www.mishmash.no) for more information.

Application Deadline: 01.03.2026

Estimated starting date: 01.09.2026 (flexible)

Project description 

The position is part of project Work Package 1 (WP1) which focuses on how real-time interaction with AI transforms the creative process. For this position, the emphasis is on interfacing with AI and in particular designing, implementing, and evaluating novel human-AI interaction techniques. The intention is to support the performance of live, dynamic, and interactive activities by providing synchronous, rich, continuous, and multimodal feedback that unfolds naturally and does not obstruct user activities. We are specifically interested in interaction with embodied AI systems that can sense, act, and behave in a way that is intuitively understood by humans and offer opportunities for spontaneous co-creation. Our primary focus is on artistic performance in music and the sonic arts.

The post-doctoral researcher will have the possibility to perform basic research on human-AI interaction and contribute to ongoing research activities in AI and Human-Computer Interaction. The candidate is expected to work towards embedding AI in novel interfaces to complex systems supporting real-time performative interactions. This will involve integrating multimodal input from human activity (gesture, physiological signals, video, and audio) to infer the user state, interface with different types of systems, and coordinate multimodal output to support co-creative activities. Use cases from sound and music computing are most relevant but it is possible to work more broadly towards problems in interaction design, multimedia, gaming and beyond through interdisciplinary collaborations. 

The researcher will  join the Sound and Interaction Laboratory (https://www.hiof.no/iio/itk/english/about/laboratories/sound-and-interaction-laboratory/) and is expected to actively participate in the laboratory activities. The researcher is expected to coordinate activities with two doctoral candidates locally and with doctoral and post-doctoral researchers in WP1 at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo and the Norwegian Academy of Music. The post-doctoral researcher is expected to actively participate in the relevant activities of the MishMash centre and collaborate with the wider MishMash network which extends over institutions all over Norway and internationally.

Qualification requirements

The successful candidate is required to have: 

• completed the doctoral degree (PhD) within the fields of Computer Science or related disciplines, such as Human Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence, Music Technology, Sound Engineering, Audio and Signal Processing, Psychology, or other fields relevant for the position, before the date of employment. Candidates that are close to completion may also be evaluated. Any appointment is conditional upon submission of documentation confirming completion of the PhD degree.
• solid programming skills applied to machine learning algorithms, interactive systems, audio and/or music.
• research design, quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills 
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Personal qualifications

• motivation and potential in the field of research
• ability to work independently and in collaboration with other researchers
• ability to supervise students and coordinate activities 
• innovative and creative personality with attention to detail 
• positive and enthusiastic attitude, even in challenging situations
• ability to collaborate with artists and scientists in interdisciplinary teams 

Emphasis 
In the evaluation of the applicants, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the following:

• relevance of submitted research outline to MishMash's WP1 aims and objectives
• prior academic and/or research experience, relevant publications, and their quality 
• experience with machine learning algorithms especially in relation to multimodal signals, physiological computing, emotion recognition, and biofeedback
• experience in music technology and/or sound and music computing 
• experience with user-centred design, human-ai interaction, and explainable AI 
• good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic and artistic communities 

We offer

• an exciting job opportunity at Østfold University College (Norway) with working locations at Halden and shared office spaces in Fredrikstad and Oslo
• a gross annual salary NOK 680 000 - 780 000, depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352).  In addition to taxes, a further 2% is deducted for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 
• good employee welfare arrangements
• membership in the MishMash Centre for AI and Creativity (https://www.mishmash.no/)
• access to the Sound and Interaction Laboratory (https://www.hiof.no/iio/itk/english/about/laboratories/sound-and-interaction-laboratory/) featuring surround sound, motion tracking, and advanced recording and playback capabilities 
• access to a Maker Space, Digital Fabrication facilities, a Machine Learning Cluster and Virtual Reality infrastructure
• a vibrant AI community (https://www.hiof.no/english/research/ai-hub/)

Submitting an application

Please submit your application electronically via our recruitment system Jobbnorge.no. All attached documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language. All attachments should be included electronically within the application deadline. Other documentation may be claimed at a later stage, e.g., proof of claimed English proficiency. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application must include the following: 

• Letter of motivation: A short (1-2 page) cover letter describing your motivation, your suitability, relevant qualifications, and research interests for this position.
• A research outline presenting the activities you would like to pursue providing relevant research questions, short description of activities, and a rough timeline (up to three A4 pages, 11pt, excluding references) 
• Curriculum Vitae: please use the CV template in Jobbnorge. Your CV must clearly demonstrate that the academic requirements are met.
• List of publications: Include a short description of your contribution in multi-authored publications. Highlight publications you consider relevant for the position.
• Degree certificates and transcripts of academic records. Higher education taken outside the Scandinavian countries must be documented by the submission of a dated and signed diploma/certificate and a transcript of grades in the original language. If the original language is not English or a Scandinavian language, you must also enclose an official translation.  Foreign applicants must attach an official description of the grading system issued by the university where the degree was obtained, if not included in the Diploma Supplement.
• Relevant english proficiency documentation: approved TOEFL English proficiency test with min. score 90 or IELTS test with min. score 7.5 (for international candidates outside of EU/EEA area or candidates whose mother tongue is not English)
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number). 

Documents to be sent as hard copies by post

Applicants with degrees from: Cameroon, Canada, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria, the Philippines and the USA must send their transcripts and diploma of phd's master's and bachelor's education as hard copies directly from the relevant college/university, in addition to uploading them online. The hard copies must be received by us within 4 weeks after the application deadline expires. 
To send hard copies to HiØ, please use the following address:

Høgskolen i Østfold
HR-section
Postboks 700
1757 HALDEN

Contact details

You are strongly encouraged to contact the main supervisor for a discussion about the position, relevant references and the project. For other information, please contact the Head of the Institute or the advisors:

• Main supervisor: Dr. Georgios Marentakis, e-mail: +47 69 60 83 98, georgios.marentakis@hiof.no
• Head of Department: Dr. Monica Kristiansen Holone, +47 69 60 83 44, e-mail: monica.kristiansen@hiof.no
• HR Senior Advisor: Hilde Gunn Avløyp,  +47 69 60 82 97, e-mail: hildegav@hiof.no 

Admission and appointment

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the State Employees law, the act relating to Universities and Universities Colleges and the national guidelines for appointment as a PhD student, a postdoctoral fellow or a research assistant. 

Other information

The university college is committed to fostering a diverse and gender-balanced workforce. We seek employees with diverse skills, academic backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CVs, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups for an interview.

In accordance with the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25, paragraph 2, information about the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not to be included on the list of applicants.

If you disclose that you have an immigrant background, disability, or gaps in your CV, this information, in anonymized form, may be used for statistical purposes.

Through education and research of national and international quality and relevance, and through our contribution to public discourse and knowledge dissemination, we create a better and more sustainable society. We aim to have international engagement while also strengthening our visibility and focus on the local community. Through interaction and dialogue with regional businesses and society, we take an active role as a societal developer. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about their field and who want to contribute to the development of Østfold University College, building an attractive, competent, and forward-thinking institution. Become one of us! 

The Digital Society is our largest priority area of research, where we explore the interaction between digitalisation and society from various theoretical perspectives and develop new responsible digital technology. 

Our other priority area of research is Language in Learning, which aims to enhance collaboration across language disciplines and create conditions for a diverse research and teaching environment.