Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with 23,000 students and over 2,600 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.
The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) offers higher education and research and development (R&D) activities within technical subjects, arts and design. The Faculty has approximately 4.000 students and 400 staff members and is situated at Pilestredet Campus in downtown Oslo and at Kjeller Campus in Viken.
The Department of Computer Science offers three bachelor’s degree programmes, a master’s degree programme, and is part of a cross-departmental PhD program. Academic staff at the department are pursuing research in a wide range of areas including computer science, the natural sciences, and innovation and management. Both students and researchers are also involved in an increasing number of interdisciplinary initiatives across the university.
Department of Computer Science has an available 100% temporary position as Phd fellow in assistive technology and social innovation for older adults.
Your main duties and areas of responsibility
Utilizing smart TVs as assistive technology and social innovation for the elderly
Population aging is a global societal challenge, resulting in greater care needs, social isolation, and lower digital literacy among older adults. Many older adults experience loneliness that negatively affects their quality of life and health, and at the same time they face challenges in adopting new technology. This project addresses these challenges by developing an innovative social assistive technology called ViKom (which stands for We Communicate and We Come in Norwegian). ViKom leverages the widespread use of smart TVs in Norwegian households as an accessible platform for social contact. Through principles of social innovation, ViKom integrates technology, collaboration and community engagement to develop inclusive and sustainable solutions that promote communication and social participation among older adults. Through participation and co-creation with older adults, their families, municipalities and other social innovation actors, we develop ViKom into solutions that are scalable, culturally relevant and adapted to different needs.
- The project seeks to answer the following research questions:How can social assistive technology be utilized in a social innovation context to address the unmet social needs of older people?
- How can social innovation principles be integrated into the design of ViKom to ensure usability, social relevance and sustainability?
- What impact does ViKom have on key outcomes such as social connection, loneliness and quality of life among older people living at home?
- What are the most important barriers and opportunities for long-term implementation of ViKom as a socially innovative assistive technology within the elderly care ecosystem?
The doctoral project will use qualitative and quantitative methods through systematic literature reviews, co-creation workshops and a longitudinal study.
This research area builds on interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks within social innovation, social connection and quality of life, as well as the Senior Technology Acceptance Model (STAM). The project will contribute to the development of age-friendly technology, strengthen digital inclusion and promote healthy aging, in line with global sustainability goals.
The position is advertised as a 3-year position with 100% research, or a 4-year position with 75% research and 25% other career-advancing work. The goal must be to complete the PhD program/degree within the decided time frame. The decision on a 3- or 4-year position will be discussed as part of the interviews in the hiring process.
As a PhD Fellow at OsloMet, you have the opportunity to apply for funding for extended research stays abroad.
Qualification requirements
- Master's degree in computer science or equivalent related disciplines. The degree must normally include 120 credits (ECTS). If the master’s degree includes fewer than 120 ECTS credits, the applicant must, by the application deadline, submit documentation confirming that the master’s degree qualifies for admission to doctoral studies in the country where it was awarded. All exams for the master's degree must be completed by 30 June 2026.
- An academic profile aligned with the needs of the research group and the department.
- For appointment to the position, the following grade requirements normally apply:
- Minimum average grade B on subjects included in the master's degree.
- Minimum grade B on the master's thesis.
- Exceptions to the grade requirements are provided on the doctoral programme’s website (Innovation for Sustainability - OsloMet).
- Written and oral proficiency in English (Language requirements for employees at OsloMet)
Admission to the PhD programme Innovation for Sustainability (Innovation for Sustainability - OsloMet) at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design is a prerequisite for employment in the position. An application for admission to the PhD programme must be submitted within three months of the start date.
General criteria for appointment to teaching and research positions are set out in the Regulations relating to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.
It will be an advantage if you have
- Documented experience with programming languages for Android, like Kotlin
- Documented experience with frameworks/libraries like Native Android, Supabase Kotlin sdk and WebRTC
Personal qualities
- Strong interest in programming, software development and research within elderly care and innovation
- Ability to work interdisciplinary and independently
- Ability and interest in communicating research within elderly care and innovation
- Ability to work systematically, also under pressure, and to complete tasks
- Strong analytical skills
Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.
It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavors to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.
We offer
- Engaging work assignments within Norway's third largest university
- Participation in research groups and a creative and inspiring academic community
- Opportunities for academic development
- Good welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
- Loan and pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- A workplace in the center of Oslo
The salary for the position is in accordance with the Basic Collective Agreement for state employees and OsloMets pay policy for PhD Candidate in code 1017, corresponding to 550 800 NOK per year. From the salary, 2% will be deducted in pension contributions for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK).
The current workplace for the position is at the Pilestredet campus in Oslo. In connection with the establishment of the new campus in Lillestrøm, a change of workplace may become relevant at a later stage.
Application Process
If you wish to apply for the position, you must do so through our recruitment system.
- Please upload the following documents together by the application deadline:application letter describing your motivation for the position
- CV, reference letters, and all pages of certificates/diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Foreign education should be pre-approved, and a letter of approval must be attached. Information is available via the following link: Recognition of foreign education - to work in Norway | HK-dir
- If you have not completed your master’s degree at the time of application, you must upload a provisional transcript in English or a Scandinavian language from your university by the application deadline. It is desirable that you also include an overview of the courses/exams you plan to complete during spring 2026. Relevant candidates must submit an official confirmation from the educational institution by 30 June 2026 stating that all examinations for the master’s degree have been completed, including the master’s thesis. The official diploma and transcript must be submitted before taking up the position, no later than 1 October 2026. If your educational institution does not issue the official diploma by this deadline, you must submit documentation from the institution confirming that the master’s degree has been awarded by the same deadline.
- master’s thesis
- scientific works or a link to the full article, if relevant
- a list of publications and presentations at international seminars/conferences, if relevant
- preferably two references with contact information
We only consider applications submitted through our electronic recruitment system, and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be considered. The documents must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Translations must be authorized, and you will be asked to present originals if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet verifies documents to give candidates a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For relevant positions, OsloMet conducts background checks of applicants in cooperation with an external provider, in order to verify information contained in available documents. Background checks are always carried out with the candidate’s consent, and employment in these positions is conditional upon an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information about this.
Other information
If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:
- Førsteamanuensis Way Kiat Bong, wayki@oslomet.no, +4767236743
- Head of Group Siri Fagernes, sirifa@oslomet.no, +4767238663
- For administrative inquiries, please contact hrtkd@oslomet.no
Deadline for application: May 4th, 2026
Ref: 26/05912
OsloMet holds the EU certification HR Center of Excellence for Charter & Code supporting researchers in career development, mobility and employee rights.
OsloMet has signed The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognizes the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated.
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 are seen to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter law will not be considered for the position.
