Scholarships

Fully Funded PhD in AI & Energy Informatics at University of Oslo 2026

Faseeh Sultan

July 9, 2026
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Fully Funded PhD in AI & Energy Informatics at University of Oslo 2026

If you have a master’s degree in computer science or a related field and want to spend the next three to four years doing cutting-edge AI research — while earning a full salary in one of the world’s most livable countries — this position deserves your full attention. The University of Oslo (UiO) is currently advertising a fully funded PhD Research Fellowship in computer science and AI for energy informatics at its Department of Informatics. The application deadline is August 15, 2026, and this is one of the most competitive yet accessible fully funded research positions currently open in Europe for international applicants.

Detail	Information
University	University of Oslo (UiO)
Country	Norway
Department	Department of Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Degree Level	PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Position Type	Fully Funded Research Fellowship — paid employment
Duration	3 years (extendable to 4 with teaching duties)
Deadline	Saturday, August 15, 2026
Open To	International applicants worldwide
Official Link	PhD Research Fellow in computer science/AI for energy informatics — Jobbnorge

🎓 About This Opportunity

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest-ranked institution of research and education, with over 26,500 students and 7,200 employees. It consistently appears among Europe’s leading universities in research output and academic quality. The Department of Informatics (IFI) is Norway’s largest university department for computer science and related disciplines, hosting over 240 PhD students and postdocs, and more than 1,800 students at bachelor level.

What makes this position particularly significant is its research home: the Energy Informatics group at IFI — one of the very few dedicated academic research groups in the world combining computer science, artificial intelligence, and sustainable energy systems under one roof. The group was established in 2016 with backing from UiO:Energy and Equinor (formerly Statoil), and has since built a strong track record in smart grid research, AI-driven energy management, electric vehicles, blockchain for energy, and green computing.

This is not a scholarship in the traditional sense. In Norway, PhD positions are employment contracts — you are hired as a researcher, receive a monthly salary, and pay no tuition fees. This is a genuinely different model from most countries, and it means the financial support here is robust and unconditional for the duration of the contract.

🎓 Benefits / Funding

This position is fully funded through UiO employment. Here is what is confirmed:

Monthly salary: Position code 1017 (PhD Research Fellow), in the range of NOK 550,800 – 595,000 per year gross, depending on qualifications and experience (verify exact figure on the official posting at time of application)
No tuition fees: PhD positions in Norway carry zero tuition costs — none at all
Pension: 2% of gross salary is deducted as a statutory contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund — one of the strongest pension schemes in the world
Health insurance: Full membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, providing access to public healthcare
Welfare benefits: Family allowances, parental leave provisions, and generous public benefits apply as per Norwegian employment law
Research environment: Access to state-of-the-art computing infrastructure, international collaboration networks, and a highly active interdisciplinary research community
Duration: 3 years full-time research; extendable to 4 years if the candidate takes on teaching and supervision duties (averaging 25% of workload in year 4)

What makes this position genuinely stand out from many European PhD positions is that the monthly salary is sufficient to live comfortably in Oslo — a city that, while expensive by global standards, becomes very manageable on a Norwegian research salary with access to subsidised housing through student welfare organisations like SiO.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

Degree requirement: A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Informatics, or a closely related field is required. Candidates completing their master’s degree this year who have submitted their thesis by the deadline may also apply
Academic standing: Candidates are expected to be in the upper segment of their class — UiO selects for academic excellence and research potential
English language: The position and all work is conducted in English. Candidates from countries where English is not the primary language of instruction must typically document proficiency. No Norwegian language knowledge is required for this position (verify exact language requirements on the official posting)
Research focus: Background in or strong interest in AI/machine learning, smart energy systems, distributed computing, or closely related areas is highly desirable
Restrictions: No one can hold more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Candidates who already hold a PhD are not eligible

🎓 Who Should Apply / Who Shouldn’t

✅ Strong fit if:

You have a master’s in computer science, informatics, AI, or a related field with excellent academic results
You are genuinely interested in applying AI and machine learning to real-world energy and sustainability challenges
You want a paid research position with full employment benefits rather than a traditional scholarship stipend
You are comfortable working independently in an international research environment
You want a PhD from one of Europe’s most respected universities with strong industry links (Equinor, Nordic energy sector)

❌ This may not suit you if:

You do not have a master’s degree in a relevant computer science or engineering field
You are looking for a humanities, social science, or non-technical research direction
You already hold a PhD degree — UiO explicitly does not consider such applicants for fellowship positions
You are looking for a position with a guaranteed 4-year contract from the start — the 4th year here is conditional on departmental teaching needs

🎓 Research Area — What You Will Work On

The Energy Informatics group at UiO sits at the intersection of computer science and the global energy transition. Research topics within the group span a wide range, and the AI focus of this position connects directly to these themes:

Smart grid optimisation — applying AI to manage electricity supply and demand in real time
Renewable energy integration — machine learning for solar, wind, and energy storage forecasting
Electric vehicles and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) — communication and computing for EV charging networks
Green data centres and green computing — energy-efficient computing infrastructure
Smart cities — AI-driven urban energy management systems
Privacy-preserving energy management — secure, decentralised approaches to transactive energy

This is one of the few research environments in Europe where a computer scientist can work on AI problems that have direct, measurable impact on climate goals — supported by a team with strong ties to Norway’s energy industry and the Nordic power grid.

🎓 Required Documents

The following are typically required for a UiO PhD Research Fellowship application (verify the complete list on the official Jobbnorge posting):

Cover letter / application letter — explaining your motivation, research interests, and why you are suited for this specific position
CV — academic and professional background
Certified copies of academic transcripts and diplomas (bachelor’s and master’s)
Master’s thesis — or an extended abstract if not yet finalised
List of publications (if any)
Contact details of 2–3 academic references
English language proficiency documentation (if applicable)

🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process

Read the full job posting on Jobbnorge: PhD Research Fellow in computer science/AI for energy informatics
Confirm your eligibility — master’s degree in a relevant field, in the upper segment of your class, no prior UiO fellowship held
Prepare your documents — especially your cover letter, which should clearly connect your research interests to the energy informatics and AI focus of this position
Apply through Jobbnorge — UiO uses the Jobbnorge portal for all applications; create an account and submit all documents electronically before the deadline
Application deadline: August 15, 2026 — late applications are not considered
Selection: A committee reviews applications; shortlisted candidates are contacted for interviews
Admission to PhD programme: Once appointed, you must apply for formal admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences within 2 months of starting

Practical tip: Your cover letter is the most important document in this application. Norwegian academic hiring committees look for clarity of research motivation and a genuine connection between your background and the specific position — generic letters perform poorly. Spend at least as much time on your letter as on your CV.

🎓 Important Dates

Event	Date
Application Deadline	Saturday, August 15, 2026
Expected Start Date	To be confirmed — typically 1–3 months after selection
PhD Programme Admission Deadline	Within 2 months of starting the position

Bookmark this page and check back for updates: University of Oslo Vacancies

🎓 Why Apply — Why UiO and Why Norway

Norway’s PhD model is genuinely different from what most international students experience. You are not a student receiving a stipend — you are an employee. That means full employment rights, a proper salary, pension contributions, healthcare, and legal protections under Norwegian labour law. The distinction matters practically: it means financial security for the full duration of your contract.

Oslo itself is consistently ranked among the world’s most livable cities. The cost of living is high, but on a UiO PhD salary of NOK 550,000+ per year, it is very manageable — especially with access to affordable SiO student housing (NOK 4,500–7,000 per month). The city offers a remarkable quality of life: outdoor culture, excellent public transport, safety, and a genuinely international social environment.

From a career perspective, a PhD from the University of Oslo carries real weight in both academia and industry across Europe and globally. The Energy Informatics group’s connections to Equinor and the Nordic energy sector mean strong industry exposure throughout the programme. Norway is also actively building its AI and green tech ecosystem, which creates post-PhD opportunities that didn’t exist a decade ago.

This is one of the few places where your computer science PhD can sit at the direct intersection of AI research and one of the most urgent problems of our time — energy transition.

🎓 FAQ

Q: Is this position open to non-European (non-EU/EEA) applicants? A: Yes. UiO PhD Research Fellowships are open to international applicants worldwide. Non-EU/EEA candidates will need to arrange a work/residence permit for Norway, which UiO typically assists with as your employer.

Q: Do I need to speak Norwegian? A: No. This position is conducted entirely in English. Norwegian language knowledge is not required, though basic Norwegian is helpful for daily life in Oslo.

Q: Is there a defined research project or do I propose my own? A: This position sits within the Energy Informatics group’s AI research focus. The specific research direction will be developed in collaboration with your supervisors. Review the Energy Informatics group page for the group’s current themes before applying.

Q: Can I apply if I am still completing my master’s degree? A: Yes, provided your master’s thesis has been submitted for assessment by the deadline and your degree is formally approved within a reasonable period after the deadline. Check exact conditions on the official posting.

Q: What is the difference between a 3-year and 4-year fellowship? A: The 3-year fellowship is dedicated purely to research. The 4-year version adds 25% teaching and supervision duties spread across the contract period. The 4th year is offered at the time of appointment depending on departmental needs and candidate qualifications.

Q: Will my name appear on a public applicant list? A: In accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act regulations, applicant names may appear on a public list. You can request exemption from this list, though UiO will decide whether to grant it.

🎓 Official Source

Job posting: PhD Research Fellow in computer science/AI for energy informatics — Jobbnorge
Energy Informatics group: mn.uio.no/ifi/english/research/groups/nd/energy-informatics/
UiO Department of Informatics: mn.uio.no/ifi/english/
UiO Academic Vacancies: uio.no/english/about/vacancies/academic/

🎓 Summary Table

Detail	Information
University	University of Oslo (UiO)
Country	Norway
Department	Department of Informatics (IFI)
Research Group	Energy Informatics / Network and Distributed Systems
Degree	PhD in Computer Science
Duration	3 years (up to 4 with teaching)
Funding	Full salary — NOK 550,800–595,000/year (verify on official posting)
Tuition	None — zero tuition fees
Degree Required	Master’s in computer science or related field
Language	English (no Norwegian required)
Open To	International applicants worldwide
Deadline	August 15, 2026
Apply Via	Jobbnorge portal