Associate Professor in Behavioural Data Science

The position aims to strengthen the department’s core teaching and research capacity through computational and data-driven analysis of information behaviour. The research focus is on behavioural data derived from digital platforms, information systems, and media environments, combining strong foundational competence in data science with applied and theoretically informed perspectives on user behaviour at scale.

The position will be organisationally and academically embedded in the Data Analytics and Recommender Systems (DARS) research group at the Department of Information Science and Media Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Bergen. The successful candidate is expected to strengthen and broaden the department’s behavioural data science profile. While the position is not primarily focused on recommender systems, the candidate should have expertise that complements and interfaces with ongoing research in areas such as user modelling, behavioural analysis, evaluation methodologies, or responsible and transparent data-driven systems.

The position should also contribute to the department’s engagement in externally funded research and innovation initiatives (for example MediaFutures – Research Centre for Responsible Media Technology & Innovation). This will involve collaboration with industry partners and participation in interdisciplinary research and innovation projects addressing real-world challenges related to media use, information consumption, and societal impact.

Desired research and teaching profile

The position targets an internationally recognized researcher with an established research profile beyond the postdoctoral level within behavioural data science, and with strong expertise in computational methods for modelling and understanding information behaviour. The successful candidate should demonstrate the ability and ambition to further develop an internationally visible research agenda at the department, with relevance for the design, evaluation, and improvement of digital technologies and information systems.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute substantially to core teaching in information science at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. This may include courses in data science foundations (e.g., data analysis, statistics, behavioural modelling), programming and computational methods (e.g., Python and/or R, data processing pipelines), and methodological courses. In addition, the candidate is expected to contribute to curriculum development, including the integration of applied, project-based, and industry-relevant perspectives, and to support long-term teaching continuity within the department’s study programmes.

Work tasks & responsibilities:

• Conduct high-quality international research
• Teach courses at both the BSc and MSc levels of relevant programs at the department
• Participate in further development of the academic field and teaching
• Participating in the department’s strategic scientific policy
• Take on responsibility for administrative tasks
• Supervise BSc, MSc and PhD candidates and examinate work on all levels
• Apply for external funding of research projects on national and international level

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• A PhD in information science, data science, computer science, computational social science, or a closely related field
• A documented strong research record within data science with publications in field-relevant internationally recognised venues (e.g., ACM SIGIR, ACM WSDM, ACM UMAP, AAAI ICWSM, The Web Conference) at a level expected for an associate professor position
• A teaching portfolio that aligns with and complements the department’s teaching activities, including documented teaching experience at university level and/or documented pedagogical competence (or a demonstrated willingness to complete UiB’s pedagogical training requirements)
• Fluency in English (minimum B2) and the ability to teach and supervise students in English (and eventually Norwegian after 3 years)
• Experience with initiating, applying for, and managing external research funding, preferably at the European (EU) level
• Experience in participating in and leading industry-oriented research and innovation projects, including collaboration on system development or applied solutions

The successful candidate will be required to have proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language at level B2 within three years of appointment. The University of Bergen offers Norwegian language courses and will facilitate the fulfilment of the language requirement. The workplace is in Bergen at the Department of Information Science and Media Studies. Remote appointments are not possible. Personal suitability will be given significant weight in the assessment.

Educational competence:

Basic teaching training and experience in the supervision of students at university level is a requirement for the position as associate professor (link). This implies completed formal pedagogical training, as well as basic skills in planning, implementation, evaluation and development of teaching and supervision. Should the successful applicant not have such competence at the time of appointment, he/she will be required to document such training within two years of the date of appointment.

Educational competence must be documented in a pedagogical portfolio which should include a documented overview of practical experience and competence as well as a brief reflection statement. The statement should primarily describe the applicant’s own teaching philosophy and an evaluation of own teaching in relation to his/her knowledge of students’ learning at a higher education level.

We can offer:

• An excellent and professional working environment.
• Gross annual salary as Associate Professor, code 1011, of NOK 757 600 – 797 000. Further increase in salary will depend on seniority. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well qualified applicant.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund and good welfare benefits.
• The city of Bergen – a welcoming and well-connected European city with a unique mix of vibrant life and extraordinary nature.

Your application must include:

• A cover-letter showing motivation for applying as well as a summary of planned research activities and initiatives.
• CV
• Five publications to be considered in the assessment, with information about where this work was published. The evaluation of the applicant’s scientific work will focus primarily on research published in the last five years.
• Co-author declarations where necessary to clarify your contribution
• Complete list of publications
• Teaching portfolio - please fill out this form (to be uploaded with your application)
• Teaching statement (to be uploaded with your application)
• Research statement (to be uploaded with your application)
• Copies of diplomas and certificates
• The contact details of two references

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge. Applications sent by email or without the requested documents will not be assessed.

The closing date is April 24th, 2026.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Head of Department Prof. Bjørnar Tessem - Bjornar.Tessem@uib.no.

Practical questions about the application process should be directed to HR Advisor Gudrun Horvei, gudrun.horvei@uib.no.

Questions regarding the research group can be directed to Prof. Mehdi Elahi – mehdi.elahi@uib.no.