PhD Student

About the position

The Center for Resilient Networks and Applications (CRNA) at Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering in Oslo, Norway, is seeking a highly motivated candidate to join as a Research Fellow and pursue a PhD thesis in agentic AI communications within resilient critical network systems.

Simula’s mission is to solve fundamental problems in science and engineering with the goal of improving society. The research focuses on five select areas in ICT (Information and Communication Technology), with an emphasis on developing people and spinning out applicable results into profitable startups.

Job description

As society increasingly relies on data communications and AI-driven services, ensuring the resilience, security, and efficiency of the underlying ICT infrastructure becomes increasingly important. The emergence of autonomous AI agents that communicate, coordinate, and collaborate across distributed environments introduces new networking challenges, including reliable agent-to-agent communication, low-latency coordination, resource-aware information exchange, and resilience to network disruptions, congestion, and security threats.

CRNA combines world-class theoretical and empirical research on the robustness and security of ICT infrastructures with real-world critical applications that keep society running. The research is structured around two main pillars: network resilience and sovereignty, and artificial intelligence and networking.

A key research direction is AI communications, focusing on the communication, coordination, and resilience requirements of distributed AI agents. This includes investigating mechanisms for agent discovery and communication, network-aware coordination, adaptive resource allocation, and reliable collaboration across cloud, edge, IoT, and cellular environments. The goal is to develop networking solutions that allow autonomous agents to operate efficiently and securely despite dynamic network conditions and partial failures.

CRNA operates advanced laboratory and experimental facilities, including cellular network testbeds, IoT infrastructure, satellite communication systems, and data center facilities. These resources enable research and evaluation of networking mechanisms under realistic conditions.

What we offer

Simula offers excellent opportunities for performing high-quality research as part of a highly competent and motivated team of international researchers and engineers. The working environment is informal and inclusive, with generous support for travel and opportunities to build international networks through established collaborations with industry, exchange programs, and research visits with other universities.

Modern office facilities are located in downtown Oslo, with a competitive salary and numerous benefits, including access to a company cabin, sponsored social events, generous equipment budgets, subsidized canteen meals, comprehensive travel/health insurance, and relocation assistance (accommodation, visas, and complimentary Norwegian language courses).

Administrative research support includes quality assurance processes for grant proposals (including RCN and EU programs), and wellness and work-life balance initiatives are prioritized, with flexible work arrangements to help balance work and home life efficiently.

Application requirements

Interested applicants are requested to submit the following: a CV showing your educational background and working experience, transcripts for both Bachelor and MS degrees, a list of scientific publications and talks (if applicable), the DOI of any publications you authored, and a cover letter outlining your motivation, relevant experience, qualifications, research interests, and why you are qualified for the position.

Applications can only be submitted via the online application system; applications submitted by email will not be considered. For more information, contact Tarik Cicic.