Researcher/Senior Researcher – Center for Modeling Social Systems

Job title:

Researcher/Senior Researcher – Center for Modeling Social Systems

Company

NORCE

Job description

Researcher/Senior Researcher – Center for Modeling Social SystemsAbout NORCENORCE is a forward-looking research institute, with expertise in a wide range of fields and strong communities of knowledge. We deliver research and innovation in energy, health care, climate, the environment, society and technology.Our solutions address key challenges for society and contribute to value creation on the local, national and global levels.About the Center for Modeling Social SystemsThe Center for Modeling Social Systems (CMSS) is a passionate, interdisciplinary research group at the intersection of cognitive, social, and computational sciences that works with subject matter experts and policy professionals to co-create conceptual and computational models for analyzing and predicting societal change. We use a variety of computational methods, but our favorite approach is agent-based modelling (ABM). As part of several multinational consortia, CMSS has been developing computational models on topics related to sustainable development and peaceful societal transitions. Our aim is to provide meaningful scientific contributions to solving present-day societal challenges, often by working together with stakeholders. In the foreseeable future, we will focus on consolidating our pioneering position in the Norwegian research landscape and strengthen our presence on international arenas. Our aim is that one day MIT is going to want to be us.About the positionThe selected candidate will be appointed a full-time position (1,0 fte) as a Forsker III/Researcher or a Forsker II/Senior researcher in the NORCE Kristiansand office. The working language is English, although knowledge of or willingness to learn Norwegian will be an additional advantage.We are looking for a researcher(s) who can enhance the CMSS team, especially in upcoming projects where programming, GUI development, and data visualization play a central role. The successful candidate(s) will initially focus on developing crucial components (incl. user interfaces and advanced data visualization) for internal strategic infrastructures and EU HORIZON projects.There are no teaching obligations. Members of the CMSS team are expected to pursue grant applications and represent NORCE at dissemination events.Who are we looking for?We invite candidates eager to build their career in a leading computational research team, contributing significantly to both methodological innovation and real-world applications. You should be able to work independently and collaborate effectively with local and international teams. In particular, you will develop simulation models and user-friendly interfaces, ensuring stakeholder engagement.The responsibilities for a Forsker II/Senior Researcher position include leading task and work packages, publishing high-impact research, and overseeing project deliverables. All team members are also expected to produce high-quality work, write scientific articles, and present results in international contexts.The successful candidate(s) is(are) expected to start in September/October 2025 and eventually move to Norway.Required qualifications & competences

• We currently deem the following aspects as a priority:
• An academic degree (MA for Forsker III/Researcher; PhD for Forsker II/Senior Researcher) in a relevant discipline (we take a broad approach to relevance, the disciplines can include but are not limited to Computational Social Science, Mathematical Modeling, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, or another related field),
• Excellent programming skills,
• Experience in modeling and simulation of human behavior (e.g., agent-based modeling, microsimulation, system dynamics),
• Experience in proposal writing and leading collaborative tasks (for Forsker II/Senior Researcher),
• Proven ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and to operate independently (for Forsker II/Senior Researcher),
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desired qualifications & competencesYou may also shine in other important and related fields, including but not limited to:

• Developing interactive applications and user interfaces (e.g., relevant frameworks, libraries and platforms such as Unity, Django, Flask, matplotlib, Plotly, d3.js, or relevant GIS platforms),
• Creating dashboards, visual analytics, or interactive web front-ends for data, esp. research results,
• Data stewardship and using data to inform and validate simulation models,
• Familiarity with widely used ABM simulation platforms (NetLogo, AnyLogic, GAMA, Repast) and frameworks for handling large datasets,
• Social quantitative (e.g., surveys, (quasi-)experiments, SNA, registries) and/or qualitative (e.g., in-depth interviews, focus group interviews ) data collection and analysis methods and techniques,
• Working in transdisciplinary teams and/or in engagement of stakeholders (e.g., public administration, industry, NGOs, or communities) in participatory settings (methods used in co-design, co-creation, co-assessment),
• Synthesizing and conceptualizing information, transforming qualitative/quantitative input into structured outputs such as flow diagrams, causal loop diagrams, etc. relevant for model specifications,
• Interest in socially relevant modeling, with a sensitivity to ethical, political, or cultural dimensions of stakeholder interaction,
• Write or contributing to successful grant applications,
• Scientific project management,
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate between technical and non-technical audiences,
• Very good academic writing skills reflected in publications in quality peer-reviewed journals.

We offer:

• Joining a highly motivated team of people who like one another, love what they do and take great joy in it,
• A creative, interdisciplinary, multicultural NORCE environment with excellent development and networking possibilities,
• An opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the pioneering methodological work of a fast-growing research institution,
• Working on stimulating projects that aim to bring about positive changes in complex social systems,
• Support in advancing social simulation related skills,
• Links with other national and international (research) centers,
• Access to innovative infrastructure and resources,
• The chance of developing a solid and stable research career,
• Work in Norway that offers a predictive and stable environment with high-quality social services and benefits,
• Support in learning Norwegian,
• Competitive salary,
• Good pension and insurance schemes.

How to applyApply electronically by registering your application at jobbnorge.noThe application must include:

• Motivation letter,
• CV,
• Copies of relevant diplomas and certificates,
• 1-2 research outputs (e.g., journal articles, book chapters, scientific reports),
• 2 references (incl. names and contact information (email, phone number) of the referees); reference letters can be included if already available.

Motivation letter and CV together should clearly refer to required and desired qualifications and competences.Application deadline: 8th of June 2025.Candidates are expected to openly offer all relevant information about themselves during the recruitment process. Furthermore, one can expect that background checks can be conducted on all final candidates who may be checked against relevant lists to ensure compliance with applicable export control and sanctions rules. Candidates will be asked to provide information about affiliation to high-risk countries for a security assessment.

Expected salary

Location

Kristiansand, Agder

Job date

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 22:45:48 GMT

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