Our partners at the Department of Mathematics at the University of Oslo are recruiting one or two PhD research fellows and one or two postdoctoral research fellow:
PhD Research Fellow in fluid mechanics
Deadline: 10 February 2026
Employer: University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
See advertisement and apply here: PhD Research Fellow in fluid mechanics (293755) | University of Oslo
About the position
One or two position as a PhD Research Fellow in Mechanics: Viscous flow coupled with elastic deformations linking flow control and soft robotics is/are available at the Mechanics at the Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo.
Starting date as soon as possible, latest by August 15, 2026.
The fellowship period is three years.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
Job description
A PhD Research Fellow is available at the Department of Mathematics in the research group of Prof. Andreas Carlson at the University of Oslo (UiO).
The positions are part of two projects funded by the Research Council of Norway for the development of a soft hairy surfaces for droplet flow control and vibration-based soft robot. The project has an ambitious aim to demonstrate how physical principles from a new understanding of the coupling between viscous flow and elastic deformation of solids to inspire new technological developments.
The project will provide a fundamental understanding of the physical processes at play when droplets interact with soft hairy surfaces and when actively driving a soft sheet near a wall. Essential to the projects is developing a new understanding of the fluid-structure interactions, that is to say, the coupling between hair’s/sheet’s elastic deformations and the fluid flow. The project aims to develop a contactless soft robot relying on these operating principles (guided by our physical understanding of the processes) and using hairy surfaces for flow control. The projects requires detailed measurements of the dynamic soft elastic interface and the fluid flow, as well as theoretical and numerical developments. The project provides opportunities to collaborate with both national and international collaborators, as well as exploring sustainability aspects of the technology.
The PhD student will:
- Develop experiments and/or numerical simulations of (droplet) flow coupled with elastic deformations.
- Be directly involved in integrating experiments and theoretical prediction.
- Develop independence and be self-driven to advance with their research project.
- Work in an interdisciplinary team with expertise in mechanics, complex fluids, physics and biophysics and sustainability thinking.
- Follow our PhD program that include an educational component.
This is the right position if you are highly motivated about fundamental science and excited about questions related to fluid-structure interactions (elastohydrodynamics) and interfacial fluid mechanics in the context of soft robotics.
The PhD Research Fellow will join an international and interdisciplinary research group lead by Prof. Andreas Carlson, which hosts other projects including an ERC Consolidator Grant.
What skills are important in this role?
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
Qualification requirements:
- Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in mechanics, fluid mechanics, physics or applied mathematics.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills (English).
- Earlier involvement in research projects in fluid mechanics or droplets will also be considered positively, as well as experience with programming or experiments.
- A strong theoretical educational background in mathematics, continuum mechanics and fluid mechanics.
Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 15. August, 2026 to complete the final exam.
Language requirement:
- Good oral and written communication skills in English
- English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8
Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:
- The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
- The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
- The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/
All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.
Postdoctoral Research Fellows in viscous flow coupled with elastic deformation
Deadline: 10 February 2026
Employer: University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
See advertisement and apply here: Postdoctoral Research Fellows in viscous flow coupled with elastic deformation (293760) | University of Oslo
About the position
One or two Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in viscous flow coupled with elastic deformations for flow control with hairs and soft robotics is/are available at the Mechanics Division, Department of Mathematics at the University of Oslo.
Starting date as soon as possible, latest by August 15, 2026.
The appointment is a fulltime position and is for a period of three years (10% of which is devoted to other career promoting work, usually in the form of teaching activities).
No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.
Project description
One or two three-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is available at the Department of Mathematics in the research group of Prof. Andreas Carlson at the University of Oslo (UiO).
The positions are part of two projects funded by the Research Council of Norway for the development of a soft hairy surfaces for droplet flow control and vibration-based soft robot. The project has an ambitious aim to demonstrate how physical principles from a new understanding of the coupling between viscous flow and elastic deformation of solids to inspire new technological developments.
The project will provide a fundamental understanding of the physical processes at play when droplets interact with soft hairy surfaces and when actively driving a soft sheet near a wall. Essential to the projects is developing a new understanding of the fluid-structure interactions, that is to say, the coupling between hair’s/sheet’s elastic deformations and the fluid flow. The project aims to develop a contactless soft robot relying on these operating principles (guided by our physical understanding of the processes) and using hairy surfaces for flow control. The projects requires detailed measurements of the dynamic soft elastic interface and the fluid flow, as well as theoretical and numerical developments.
The project provides oportunities to collaborate with both national and international collaborators, as well as exploring sustainability aspects of the technology. This is the right position if you are highly motivated about fundamental science and excited about questions related to fluid-structure interactions (elastohydrodynamics) and interfacial fluid mechanics in the context of soft robotics. The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship will join an international and interdisciplinary research group lead by Prof. Andreas Carlson, which hosts other projects including an ERC Consolidator Grant.
The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.
What skills are important in this role?
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
Qualification requirements:
- Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in mechanics, physics, applied mathematics or similar. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defense are eligible for appointment.
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
- A strong track record in fundamental research in fluid mechanics, soft matter physics or (soft) robotics or within elastic materials.
- Experience within fluid mechanics, elastohydrodynamics and/or complex materials will also be considered beneficial.
- A strong experimental background in developing and performing experiments in soft matter physics, elastohydrodynamics, robotics, solid mechanics and/or a strong background in theoretical developments and numerical simulations coupling fluid-solid/fluid-interface-solid dynamics.
All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.