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.
About the position
The Department of Built Environment (BE) at Oslo Metropolitan University has a vacancy for a PhD candidate available in bridge assessment, monitoring, and prioritization of maintenance. The project aims to develop an integrated decision-support framework that combines inspection images, sensor data, and engineering interpretation to enable more transparent, evidence-based maintenance decisions.
Your main duties and areas of responsibility will be to
A large portion of existing infrastructure is aging, creating an increasing need for a new generation of repair materials with superior strength and durability, while meeting sustainability requirements. The project addresses challenges related to structural degradation, performance loss, and reduced load-bearing capacity. For this purpose, new repair materials and methods will be developed, along with supporting sensing systems.
The work will include studies of sources of structural deterioration, performance requirements for repair materials, and interactions between existing structures and new material solutions. The project will also explore the use of emerging monitoring technologies and sensor systems to improve the understanding of structural condition before and after repair. The research will contribute to the development of a new generation of adaptive repair solutions that capitalize on the capabilities of advanced construction materials, including ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), and sensing systems that complement them. This will minimize human intervention while ensuring extended service life for various civil infrastructures.
There will be opportunities to test and implement the developed repair solutions in real-world settings via selected case studies. This will be through the unique capabilities offered by SmartMet Lab at OsloMet. The outlined investigations will be carried out in a multidisciplinary research environment focusing on sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
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 civil engineering with a specialization in structural engineering, materials engineering, construction engineering, or equivalent related disciplines. The degree must normally contain 120 credits (ECTS). Applicants whose master’s degree contain less than 120 ECTS credits must, by the application deadline, provide documentation that the degree qualifies for admission to doctoral studies in the country where the master’s degree was obtained.
- 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.
- Minimum average grade C on the subjects included in the bachelor's degree. If you have an integrated master's degree, the grades from the first three standard years of the degree will be assessed.
- Exceptions to the grade requirements are provided on the doctoral programme’s website (Engineering Science - OsloMet).
- Written and oral proficiency in English (Language requirements for employees at OsloMet)
Admission to the PhD programme in Engineering Science (Engineering Science - 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
- Background in construction materials and sensing systems for civil engineering applications, with familiarity with strength and durability tests on conventional construction materials
- Interest in experimental work, numerical modelling, and field investigation
- Experience with data processing and the analysis of material and structural response
- Experience with field implementation and on-site monitoring activities
Personal qualities
- strong ability to follow through on tasks and projects
- motivation for the academic and research field
- good communication and collaboration skills
- strong analytical skills
- ability to think innovatively and contribute to development
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
- exciting job tasks at Norway’s third largest university
- participation in research groups and a creative and inspiring academic community
- opportunities for academic development
- loan and pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- a workplace in the center of Oslo
- good welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
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).
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. 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
- 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
If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:
- Head of Research Marit Sandvik, marsan@oslomet.no
- Professor Mahdi Kioumarsi, mahdi.kioumarsi@oslomet.no
- For administrative inquiries, please contact hrtkd@oslomet.no
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.
Oslo Metropolitan University
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.
For over 200 years, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University has contributed to building knowledge and competence for the Norwegian welfare society. Today, OsloMet is a modern and urban university known for its large and robust academic environments in teacher education, health and social sciences, social research, design, and technology.
The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) constitutes a strong and diverse academic environment with a distinct international profile. The work is carried out within a professional organization that is at the forefront of adopting new technologies and innovative solutions, and is highly advanced in interdisciplinary and external collaboration. The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design is experiencing strong growth and recruits highly qualified staff from around the world.
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 Built Environment offers bachelors and master’s degree programs in engineering, in addition to research and development activities. The department has approximately 60 staff members and 850 students.
