Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in remote robotic avatars for embodied interactions

A Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is available at Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering (SimulaMet), within the Department of Signal and Information Processing for Intelligent Systems (SIGIPRO), for highly-motivated and self-driven researchers with strong intellectual curiosity and interest in research.

This position is part of the DRIVE project, funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) (2026-2030), focusing on brain-driven remote robotic avatars for remote collaborative physical work. The DRIVE project also involves the University of Oslo and University of Texas at Austin, USA, as partners. In addition, the Postdoctoral Researcher will participate and exploit synergies with the National AI Centre Sustainable, Risk-averse and Ethical AI (SURE-AI), led by Simula, and the National AI Centre for AI and Creativity (MishMash), led by University of Oslo, both funded by the RCN (2025-2030).

Simula Research Laboratory (Simula) is a leading Norwegian research institute known for its excellence in cutting-edge ICT with a strong track record of top evaluations, active international collaborations, and successful in significant funding initiatives, including European and National RCN grants. SimulaMet is a research centre jointly owned by Simula and Oslo Metropolitan University. It is the home of Simula’s research activities on networks and communications, artificial intelligence and IT management, and it is OsloMet’s strategic partner in digital engineering. SimulaMet supports talent development through PhD and postdoctoral programs and provides also valuable research infrastructure, such as the national HPC facility, eX3, and network testbeds.

The Postdoctoral researcher will join a research environment that is firmly committed to excellence (see section below for excellence and personal growth) in both cutting-edge research and training of outstanding young researchers, The appointed candidate is expected to actively contribute and participate in all relevant projects’ activities.

Research Statement: Applicants are required to prepare a (max) 2-page research statement providing a personal view about the main research questions they are interested in, their relevance to this position, as well as about the key theoretical and methodological approaches to be followed. Applicants are encouraged to propose research ideas that combine rigorous ML designs, underlying mathematical methods, with exploratory, or unconventional problem formulations.

Job Description

The postdoctoral researcher position will be working on Machine Learning (ML) algorithms for both inference and control in the context of embodied remote physical interactions mediated by robotic avatars, covering these two topics:

• Design of novel continual online Machine Learning (ML) algorithms in the context of embodied physical interactions mediated by remote robotic avatars. The main goal is to build models that can predict accurately both forward human action and multimodal sensory (visual, haptic) feedback (from the robotic avatar) to guarantee cognitive consonance so that spatial or temporal discrepancies between the humans are within their tolerable perceptual thresholds. These models will learn a representation that integrates: a) Electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain anticipatory potentials to constrain timing and spatial direction of upcoming operator’s action, and brain Error potentials to detect mispredictions; b) motion tracking sensors, such as Electromyography (EMG) being and motion capture sensors; c) robotic avatar actions; and d) multimodal sensory feedback through the robotic controllers.
• Cognition- and network-aware multimodal feedback modulation and robotic control, investigating how sensory feedback modulation, intra-synchronization, and inter-location of sensory channels, influence cognitive processes of the human operators and the interaction dynamics. Metrics such as movement smoothness, synchrony in the dynamics and perceptual thresholds, will be complemented by the cognitive state estimation obtained from Brain-Machine Interfaces and physiological measurements,, tracking also breaches of embodiment and the interaction stability. Controllers will exploit the prediction models to plan state-action sequences, disruption anticipation and adaptation.

The application scenarios considered include remote industrial collaboration, exploring human agency and embodiment in mediated interaction.

We are looking for a Postdoctoral researcher who will be part of an interdisciplinary and high-quality research environment, including both national (University of Oslo) and international collaborators (University of Texas at Austin, USA, and Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy).

More about the position

The position is available for a period of 3 years. Given the availability of additional funding and a good match with the SimulaMet needs, the position may be extended to a maximum of 4 years, including other duties and/or research stays. In particular, research stays will be promoted at University of Texas at Austin (Clinical Neuroprosthetics and Brain Interaction Lab), and Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (Institute of Mechanical Intelligence).

The purpose of a postdoctoral position is for the employee to develop a research profile and competence that qualifies them to apply for a Research Scientist or Associate Professor position. SimulaMet shall facilitate the acquisition of such competence during the employment period. A career plan shall be developed for the Postdoctoral Fellow, specifying the competencies the Postdoctoral Fellow should acquire. SimulaMet is responsible for following up on the career plan and ensuring that the Postdoctoral Fellow has access to career guidance throughout the postdoctoral term. The position may also provide other competencies relevant to the postdoctoral fellow's future career. In addition, for the professional career development of postdoctoral researchers, research stays abroad as well as presentation of the research findings at international/national conferences are facilitated and highly encouraged. In addition, training opportunities and support for writing grant proposals are also provided throughout the postdoc period.

Selection criteria

We will consider candidates who have a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics or other related relevant discipline. The applicant is required to demonstrate how the degree corresponds to the profile of the post. Other required qualifications include:

• A strong background in machine learning, data science, multimodal signal processing, robotic control and optimization, proven by a high-quality publication record.
• Previous experience in the following will be a plus: neuroscience/neurotechnology, haptics, human motion tracking, physiological sensing and prediction methods.

Previous experience in both designing novel data-driven learning and control methods and applying them to real data, as proved by publicly released code and publications.

• Excellent software development skills demonstrated by previously released software packages, fluency in Python and/or Matlab.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and a record of previous talks at international conferences.
• Ambition to carry out interdisciplinary research and willingness to work as part of an international team.

Interest in and ability to collaborate across disciplines and institutions.

• Sharing Simula’s core values: excellence, impact, curiosity, ambition and respect.

The doctoral dissertation must be (at least) submitted for evaluation by the application deadline. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.

In addition, we will also evaluate the following personal skills:

• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.
• Strong ability to work purposefully, systematically, and independently.
• Time management and ability to carry out tasks within the allotted time frame.
• Very good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities.

The research statement will also be an important selection criterion based on: a) the candidate’s engagement with the areas in DRIVE associated to this position, b) the awareness of the state-of-the-art in the areas mentioned above in the selection criteria, c) the suitability of their proposed methods, and the innovativeness and scientific merit of their research ideas.

Simula offers

• Excellent opportunities for performing high-quality research, as part of a highly competent and motivated team of international researchers and engineers.
• An informal and inclusive international working environment.
• Generous support for travel and opportunities to build international networks, through established collaboration with industry, exchange programs and research visits with other universities, and funding to attend conferences.

• Modern office facilities located in downtown Oslo
• A competitive salary. Starting salary from NOK 595 000.
• Numerous benefits: access to a company cabin, sponsored social events, generous equipment budgets (e.g., computer, phone and subscription), subsidized canteen meals, comprehensive travel/group life insurance policy, etc.
• Relocation assistance: accommodation, visas, complimentary Norwegian language courses, etc.
• Administrative research support: e.g., quality assurance process for grant proposals (including RCN and EU programs).
• Wellness and work-life balance. Our employees’ health and well-being are a priority, and we encourage them to make use of our flexible work arrangements to help balance their work and home lives efficiently.

Excellence and personal growth

We target excellence research and high-impact results, which we think are the product of a supportive and inclusive environment where the ambition of the researcher is matched by our commitment to success. When joining our teams, the researcher is stepping into an environment and a partnership designed to help them grow, by promoting:

• Creative Autonomy: We value your motivation to make a difference. You will be encouraged to move beyond following instructions to shaping your own original research ideas. Our goal is to guide you through this process, helping you evolve from a collaborative team member into a confident and successful independent researcher.
• Comprehensive Professional Development: Your growth extends beyond technical expertise. We provide dedicated opportunities to develop vital skills—including grant writing, public speaking (research, industry and outreach forums), and project management—ensuring you are fully prepared for a leadership career in either academia or industry.
• World-Class Collaboration: You will not be working alone. You will collaborate closely with world-leading experts who are eager to refine your ideas and help you navigate your career path.
• State-of-the-Art Resources: We provide access to advanced high-performance computational power, laboratories, and software tools necessary to turn your research vision into reality.
• A Healthy Balance: We champion the Nordic model of work-life balance. We offer flexible working arrangements and a supportive social atmosphere, ensuring you have the time and energy to stay inspired.

Application

Interested applicants are requested to submit the following:

• Curriculum vitae showing your educational background, working experience (in particular, any relevant academic or industrial work), a list of scientific publications and talks.
• Cover letter: outline your motivation for applying, relevant experience and qualifications, research interests and how/why you are qualified for the position.
• Transcripts from Bachelor, MS and PhD degrees.
• Contact information of three references including the main PhD supervisor.
• Research statement (max. two pages).

Please note that all documents must be in English language.

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system, click "Go to application form".

Do not submit other certificates, articles, and the like unless specifically requested. If further documentation is wanted for assessment, you will be asked to submit it later.

Deadline: April 1st, 2026

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview. Applications will be screened continuously and a decision will be made as soon as we find the right candidate.

General Information

About SimulaMet, Simula Research Laboratory and Norway

Simula is organised as a group of legal units which together perform Simula's activities in research, education and innovation. The name “Simula” often refers to this group of companies. SimulaMet is part of the Simula group, and performs high quality research in the fields of machine learning and data science, IT management and communication systems.

Simula Research Laboratory AS is a publicly owned research lab. Simula conducts Information and Communication Technology (ICT) research in the fields of scientific computing, machine learning, software engineering, communication systems, and cybersecurity. SimulaMet and Simula Research Laboratory are both located centrally in Oslo, Norway,

Simula's main objective is to create knowledge about fundamental scientific challenges that are of genuine value for society. This is achieved through high quality research, education of graduate students, industry collaboration, technology transfer, and commercialization. Since 2001, scientific evaluations conducted by the Research Council of Norway have repeatedly placed Simula at the forefront of international research in ICT. The most recent in-depth evaluation was published in 2025, grading our full range of research as excellent, ranking SIMULA the highest of all Norwegian research institutions regarding impact and publication quality (p14. in National EVALMIT report).

Simula appreciates diversity. We currently employ approximately 200 individuals from 35 countries and strive to create a family-friendly working environment. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourages women to apply

Simula has a close collaboration with leading universities in Norway and abroad, both in terms of research and education, and facilitates extended research stays abroad. Our Master's and PhD students conduct their research at Simula and attend courses and receive their degrees from university partners.

Norway is famous for its epic outdoor scenery, with wonderful fjords, gorgeous waterfalls and majestic mountain ranges. Moreover, Norway is a safe and peaceful country with a thriving economy, offering a high standard of living and all the benefits of a social-democratic welfare state, such as social security and universal public healthcare.

Learn more about Norway: Official travel guide to Norway

Simula: solving problems, making a difference.

Simula’s mission is to solve important and fundamental problems of science and engineering, with the main goal of improving society. We do this by concentrating on five select research areas in ICT and performing excellent research, by developing our people, and by spinning out applicable results into profitable startups.

Learn more about: working at Simula and careers at Simula

Simula uses Semac´s background check in our recruitment process.

If you have been funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) in a previous position, you cannot apply for this job. RCN funding can only be granted for one period.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Employment for this position will be made according to the Security Act and the Act relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and any attachments are considered to be in conflict with these regulations will not qualify for this position.

Questions about the position

Baltasar Beferull-Lozano

Professor and Chief Research Scientist

Director of SURE-AI Centre

Head of SIGIPRO Department

SIMULA Metropolitan