Professor in Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences has a vacancy for a position as Professor in Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning

About the position
Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) invites applications for a full-time, permanent position as Professor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) at the Faculty of Technology, Environmental and Social Sciences, Campus Bergen.
 

The position is part of the Department of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Mathematical Sciences, which consists of more than 90 permanent academic staff and an active environment of PhD researchers and master's students. The department offers bachelor's, master's, and PhD programmes. The position is based in Bergen.

Computer science is a strategic research area at HVL, with established groups in software engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning, sensor networks, and computational engineering. The AI/ML group has a strong international network and works on both fundamental and applied research in collaboration with academia, industry, and the public sector.
We are seeking an experienced researcher who is enthusiastic about contributing to the long-term development of AI/ML research and education at HVL. We particularly welcome applicants who enjoy collaborating across disciplines, mentoring colleagues, and supporting an inclusive and dynamic research environment.

Artificial intelligence is a growing institutional priority at HVL, with initiatives across several faculties and research units. The successful candidate will contribute to strengthening AI-focused activities across the institution and support interdisciplinary collaboration connecting multiple academic communities. Teaching is also an important part of the position. At HVL, good teaching means creating learning situations where students feel included, engaged, and able to connect theory with practical use. Professors are expected to contribute to developing courses, use teaching methods that support active learning, and ensure that students understand both the foundations and the real-world relevance of AI and machine learning.

HVL particularly welcomes applications from aspiring senior researchers who wish to continue their academic careers in a supportive and collaborative setting.

HVL offers strong institutional support for developing research activities, establishing collaborations across faculties, and contributing to the strategic development of AI and data science...

Responsibilities and duties

The successful candidate will:

• Contribute to strengthening applied and interdisciplinary research in AI and software engineering.
• Play an active role in developing research groups and supporting the strategic development of the department and faculty.
• Supervise PhD candidates and provide guidance to early-career researchers.
• Participate in externally funded research projects and help initiate new collaborative initiatives with
  industry, the public sector, and international partners.
• Teach and supervise students at bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels.
• Contribute to curriculum development and educational innovation.
• Disseminate research results to academic and societal audiences.

Qualification requirements

The criteria for appointment to the position of Professor are stated in Section 3‑6 of the Regulations to the Act on Universities and Colleges (https://lovdata.no/SF/forskrift/2024-06-28-1392).

Required qualifications:

• PhD in computer science or a closely related field, with strong research competence in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or software engineering.
• Extensive research output of international quality.
• Experience supervising PhD candidates to completion.
• Documented ability to secure external research funding.
• Experience contributing to the development of research environments or large research activities.
• University-level teaching and supervision experience.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with interdisciplinary or applied research projects.
• Experience developing and delivering AI/ML or data science curricula.
• Experience building international collaborations.

Language requirements
Teaching is conducted in Norwegian and English. Applicants who do not speak a Scandinavian language must reach B2-level Norwegian within three years. Excellent English proficiency is required.

Educational competence
Pedagogical competence must be documented. Applicants without formal qualifications must complete HVL's pedagogical training programme within two years.

For the position of Professor, educational competence must be documented with a teaching portfolio and a pedagogical CV, in accordance with the Qualification Requirements for Educational Basic Competence for Appointment, Promotion and Transition at HVL - Western Norway University of Applied Science (https://www.hvl.no/om/sentrale-dokument/reglar/kvalifikasjonskrav-til-utdanningsfaglig-basiskompetanse-for-ansettelse-opprykk-og-overgang-ved-hvl/)s.

Personal qualities
We are seeking a colleague who:

• Enjoys contributing to shared research goals and academic community development
• Values collaboration, mentoring, and inclusive academic practices
• Contributes to a positive, innovative, and diverse working environment
• Shows academic curiosity, initiative, and integrity

Evaluation of applicants
Emphasis will be placed on:

• Quality and relevance of research (past 5 years)
• Experience contributing to strong research environments
• Documented success with external funding
• Pedagogical competence and teaching experience
• Communication skills and personal suitability

Application procedure:

Submit your application and CV by clicking the button labeled “Apply for this position" on this page.

Please note that applications will be assessed based on the information entered in www.jobbnorge.no at the application deadline. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all relevant attachments are uploaded before the deadline, including:

• Scientific works (up to 15 items)
• Complete publication list
• Certificates and diplomas
• Documentation of educational competence. For the position of Associate Professor, educational competence must be documented with a teaching portfolio and a pedagogical CV in accordance with the Qualification Requirements for Educational Basic Competence for Appointment, Promotion and Transition at HVL - Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (https://www.hvl.no/om/sentrale-dokument/reglar/kvalifikasjonskrav-til-utdanningsfaglig-basiskompetanse-for-ansettelse-opprykk-og-overgang-ved-hvl/).

If diplomas, transcripts, or other documentation are not in a Scandinavian language or English, the applicant must upload certified translations. If attachments exceed 25 MB, they must be compressed before uploading or provided as a link.

Applicants with a degree from a country other than Norway, need to attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcripts of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, in addition to the original documents, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant encloses a recognition document showing that their degree is equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD. You can read more about applying for recognition of foreign higher education here. (https://hkdir.no/utdanning-fra-utlandet/jeg-har-utdanning-fra-utlandet/sok-godkjenning-av-hoyere-utdanning-bachelor-master-ph-d)

The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) offers an automatic recognition document for certain degrees from selected countries. If the applicant's degree is covered by the automatic recognition, it will be sufficient to attach this document. Read more about automatic recognition here. (https://hkdir.no/utdanning-fra-utlandet/jeg-har-utdanning-fra-utlandet/sok-godkjenning-av-hoyere-utdanning-bachelor-master-ph-d/automatisk-godkjenning-et-raskere-alternativ)

As the HK-dir application process may take some time it is recommended to apply to HK-dir as soon as possible. If you have not received a recognition document from HK- dir within the  application deadline, please enclose documentation from HK-dir showing that they have received your application.

Applications are submitted electronically to the expert committee. Based on the committee's recommendation, selected applicants will be invited for an interview and a trial lecture.

Applications cannot be sent by email to individual staff members at the university college.

We offer:

• A large and diverse academic environment in development
• Opportunities to help shape research directions and academic priorities
• Collegial support and strong institutional frameworks for research
• A workplace that values work-life balance
• Flexible working arrangements and excellent welfare benefits
• Strong opportunities for collaboration with external partners

The position of Professor is remunerated according to the Norwegian State Salary Scale, in position code 1013 - Professor.

There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time..

General Information:

Please note that, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to be listed on the public applicant list. Applicants will be notified if such a request cannot be accommodated.

The state workforce should, as far as possible, reflect the diversity of the population. Therefore, it is a personnel policy objective to achieve a balanced age and gender composition and to recruit individuals with minority backgrounds, reduced functional ability, and gaps in their CV.

Inkludere, utfordre og samhandle

Les mer på våre hjemmesider. (http://www.hvl.no)

With about 17,500 students, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest higher education institutions in Norway. A broad range of academic programmes are offered at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels, spread out on five campuses Førde, Sogndal, Bergen, Stord og Haugesund.

Our ambition is to build stronger and more solid academic and research environments that will interact nationally and internationally. The aim is to become a recognized actor on the international higher education arena. Increased international cooperation and engagement in externally funded projects will work towards this goal.

 The Faculty of Engineering and Science has approximately 370 employees and approximately 3,260 students. The faculty has a broad educational offer at both bachelor's and master's level in engineering and science, as well as PhD education in computer technology. The Mohns Center for Innovation and Regional Development researches innovation and offers master's education in innovation and entrepreneurship. The diving education offers a one-year vocational school education.

The main part of the faculty's activities are in Haugesund, Bergen, Sogndal and Førde, but we also offer decentralized education in Florø, Kristiansund and Stord.
The faculty's activities are internationally based and take place in close collaboration with regional companies, clusters, health trusts and the public sector, including other institutions in the university and college sector. This applies to research, development, innovation and not least education with student projects at all levels.