PhD Research Fellow in Vision-Language Models in Remote Sensing

About the positionA fixed-term 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in Vision-Language Models in Remote Sensing, affiliated to the Department of Information and Communication Technology, for a period of three years. The position is located, at the present, at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.

ResponsibilitiesVision-language models achieve outstanding performances in recognizing objects in an image, inferring their relationships, and generating image descriptions in natural languages. They're ideal for tasks like image captioning, text-based image retrieval, and visual question answering. Their application in remote sensing for semantic understanding of objects and relationships is a growing research field. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of new vision-language models at the frontiers of remote sensing. Research topics for the PhD Research Fellow include, but are not limited to the following:

The ideal candidate will have expertise in five or more of the following:

Vision-Language Models (VLMs), multimodal AI, or transformersImage segmentation, object detection, or scene understandingFamiliarity with remote sensing data (satellite, aerial, hyperspectral, SAR, LiDAR)Computer Vision Natural Language ProcessingRemote SensingMachine Learening and Deep LearningReinforcement LearningLarge Language ModelsProficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow)On top the candidate with two or more of the following will be an added advantage:

Ability to conduct independent research and publish in top-tier venues Good written and oral communication skills in English Prior publications or research experience in AI, remote sensing, or multimodal learning are beneficial 
Required qualificationsMaster’s degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Computer Science, Artificail Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a similar/related field and documented competence in areas relevant to the position. Candidates who are in the final stage of the master’s education within the relevant field may also be considered, given that a master’s degree is to be achieved before the enrollment of this position. Applications from applicants who already hold a PhD will normally not be considered.Strong academic credentialsThe ideal candidate will have technical expertise in five or more of the following areas:Vision-Language Models (VLMs), multimodal AI, or transformersImage segmentation, object detection, or scene understandingFamiliarity with remote sensing data (satellite, aerial, hyperspectral, SAR, LiDAR)Computer Vision Natural Language ProcessingRemote SensingMachine Learening and Deep LearningReinforcement LearningLarge Language ModelsProficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow)Written and spoken English proficiency. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic background and results, attainment, and any previous research and development work.

Criteria for positions as PhD Research Fellow (in Norwegian). 

Desired qualificationsPublication track record in Q1 journals specialising on Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence 
Personal qualitiesAbility to work independently and proactively for goal-oriented research.Have good teamwork skills and inventiveness. Close working relationships with both the industrial and academic partners.Good analytical skills. Good written and verbal communication skills in an academic setting.Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised. 

We offerProfessional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation A positive, inclusive and diverse working environment Modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers Membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund More about working at UiA. 

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 550 800 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions. 

General informationUiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply for the position. 

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology.  

Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. A background check may be conducted to verify information that appears in available documents. Background checks are always done with the applicant's consent, and employment in the position requires an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information. 

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process. 

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.   

ApplicationThe application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically: 

Certificates with gradesMaster’s thesis/ Summary (approximately 1-2 pages) of the master's thesis; For those who are in the final stage of the Master’s education but without a Master’s degree yet, the transcripts without the results of thesis can be provided; The evaluation result of the thesis can be provided later.Applicants with a foreign higher education must attach an official description of the grading system used at the issuing institution;Academic work and R&D projects, as well as a list of theseSummary or links to the applicant's scientific publications (if any);Project description with a maximum scope of 10 pages, including reference list. The outline should present the state-of-the-art and discuss 3 to 5 research questions with targetted key performance metrics, theory perspectives, material, a progress plan, and methods within the given framework;Applicants who are required to document their English proficiency must submit their TOEFL or IELTS test results (these may be forwarded after the closing date);References with the contact email addresses and phone numbersThe applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in English or in a Scandinavian language.

Application deadline: 01.08.26.

ContactFor questions about the position: 

Professor Turgay Celik, tel. +47 37 23 33 35, e-mail: turgay.celik@uia.noProfessor Linga Reddy Cenkeramaddi, tel. +47 37 23 34 36, e-mail: linga.cenkeramaddi@uia.no For questions about the application process:

HR Advisor Linda H. Kristiansen, tel. +47 48 14 06 09, e-mail linda.h.kristiansen@uia.no
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