About the position
The Department of Data Science at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), within the Faculty of Science and Technology(REALTEK), invites applications for a PhD position in Applied Causal Machine Learning. The position is affiliated with aiD, one of Norway’s national AI research centers focused on trustworthy, data-driven AI systems for critical industries.
The PhD position is for a period of 3 years, with a desired start date of 1st of October 2026.
aiD is a national flagship AI centre established to develop AI systems that humans can audit, understand, and trust. The centre works with applications in domains such as energy systems, health and medicine, logistics, infrastructure, and industrial operations.
The PhD project will focus on the intersection of machine learning, causal inference, and classical statistical methods. A central objective is to develop methods that move beyond correlation-based prediction toward causal reasoning, intervention-aware modelling, and interpretable AI systems. This transition from correlation to causation is considered a key challenge for trustworthy AI, particularly in settings where models support actions, interventions, and high-stakes decision-making.
The candidate will work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment with opportunities for collaboration across academia and industry partners nationally and internationally
Main tasks
- Pursue and complete doctoral training leading to the award of a PhD degree.
- Undertake innovative and rigorous research on causal machine learning.
- Disseminate research outcomes through scholarly publications and public engagement activities.
- Collaborate with researchers and practitioners through the aiD network and related national initiatives.
- Contribute to the scientific development and collaborative activities of the Data Science research group.
- Participate in international research collaborations, conferences, and academic exchange opportunities.
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD contract period
Competence
Required qualifications
- A Master's degree or equivalent in in statistics, machine learning, computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, cybernetics, economics, data science, or a related field. Foreign degrees must correspond with the admission criteria for the PhD program.
- In the Master’s degree, both the average grade point and grade on the Master’s thesis must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system. Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference.
- Proficiency in both written and oral English in correspondence with the admission criteria for the PhD program.
- Solid mathematics, including multi-dimensional calculus, linear algebra, probability theory, (Bayesian) statistics, optimization and elementary graph theory
- Familiar with machine learning and deep learning
- Programming experience (Python or Julia) and their ecosystems (numpy, scipy, matplotlib)
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills
- Personal suitability and motivation for the position.
Qualifications considered an advantage
- Experience with research on causality
- Experience with advanced Bayesian statistics, optimization or graph theory
- Experience with modern DeepLearning
- Domain knowledge in one or more application field of aiD
Personal qualities
- Curiosity
- Ability to both work in groups and independent
- Good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities
- Good communicative skills
Remuneration and further information
Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017, 550 800 NOK. For exceptionally well qualified candidates a higher salary may be considered.
By applying, the candidate confirms that information and documentation submitted via the job application may also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process to the PhD program. Admission to a PhD program is a prerequisite for appointment to the PhD position.
For professional and social interactions, the candidate is expected to be physically present at NMBU on a daily basis.
Employment is to be made in accordance with
Regulations to the Universities and University Colleges Act and
Regulations for the PhD degree at the Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU) , and in accordance with the Civil Servant Act, the Security Act, and the Export Control Act.
For further information, please contact Associate Professor Alexander Stasik, (e-mail: alexander.johannes.stasik@nmbu.no).
Application
Send application electronically via the link "Apply for this job" at the top of this page. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Application Deadline: 31.08.2026
Your CV must be entered in Jobbnorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is in order to be able to comply with the regulations to the Public Administration Act §15.
Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.
The following documents must be attached to the application:
- Motivation letter
- CV
- Certified copies of relevant academic diplomas and certificates. Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
- Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
- Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with Forskrift for graden philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) ved Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet - Lovdata
- Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.
About The Faculty of Science and Technology
REALTEK is NMBU’s Faculty of Science and Technology, with strong interdisciplinary research environments spanning data science, machine learning, engineering, robotics, physics, mathematics, and sustainable technology development. The faculty emphasizes applied, solution-oriented research connected to societal and industrial challenges, particularly within sustainability, infrastructure, energy, and digital transformation.
The Department of Data Science is one of Norway’s early dedicated academic environments in data science and applied machine learning. The department combines expertise in machine learning, statistical modelling, scientific computing, optimization, and data management, with close collaboration across engineering and applied sciences at NMBU. Research activities are strongly application-driven and connected to real-world domains including healthcare, environmental systems, robotics, industrial processes, and sensor data analytics.
What is it really like to work at the Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) at NMBU?