Department Manager - Humans and Automation

We are looking for a motivational, structured, and research-oriented manager to lead our department Humans and Automation.

The department investigates how technology shapes the world around us, and how developments in technology can change the way humans interact with the world. Our focus is the interaction between humans and automation, robotics, and advanced technologies, especially in highly digital and complex environments. We are curious about how automation and robotics work; what effect they have on people in those environments; and how interactions between people and automation/robotics can be improved. The aim is to support the design and development of future digital, highly automated with the underlying goal of optimizing performance and safety.

The department is an international team of scientists conducting applied research in human-automation collaboration.? Our research is focused on empirical studies on multi-unit and remote operations, on human-automation collaboration, on human-robot interaction, and on human sensing and biometrics. The background and skills of the team include cognitive psychology, experimental psychology, and human factors. Our current project portfolio covers Nuclear, Healthcare and Transport.

We have a strong collaboration network throughout Norway, Europe, North America, and Asia. This is facilitated by our involvement in the OECD Halden Human Technology Organisation (HTO) Project and research projects funded by the Research Council of Norway.

The manager role involves developing and managing the department and creating an inspiring environment for the employees. The department manager reports to the director of the sector and participates in the sector's management team. Candidates should demonstrate excellent administrative, interpersonal and communication skills, and must have the ability to build strong relationships throughout the organisation.

Main responsibilities and work tasks:
-Develop and execute strategic plans for the department
-Financial and personnel responsibility for the department
-Responsibility for professional development of the employees
-Responsible?of the department?research capabilities and in its?recruitment
-Plan, ensure and manage utilisation of resources
-Initiate and contribute to research proposals and sales initiatives
-Ensure visibility and market the department capabilities
-Networking and establishing connections with funding agencies and potential clients
-Develop necessary competence in the department to meet customer needs
-Conduct research (write?papers and?proposals, conduct?research?work)

Additional tasks?

-Contribute to a positive economy for IFE
-Strive for a?unified sector strategy
-Facilitate to?collaborative projects across our organisation?? ? ?

Required qualifications and skills:
-Education level: PhD or M.Sc. - in an area relevant to the department's research topics (e.g., Psychology, Human Factors)?
-Research experience in Human Factors
-Leadership experience from research-based?organisations
-Coordination and leadership of large research projects
-Successful experience from marketing and selling research projects
-Fluency in English oral and written and basic understanding in Norwegian

Personal characteristics:
-A motivational leader (a good leader that motivates and manages staff?effectively, and?builds a positive working?environment)
-Structured, thorough and systematic approach to administrative tasks
-Customer and sales oriented with an understanding for customer needs
-Result focused with an ability to deliver on expectations
-Team player that brings out the best in our people
-Ability to find innovative solutions

We offer:
-An exciting management position within applied research
-A stimulating work environment with skilful, experienced, and creative colleagues
-A job where applied research is put to practical use
-Challenging research projects based on industry applications
-Plentiful opportunities for collaboration with ongoing projects in other research groups
-Well-established national and international scientific and industrial networks
-Competitive salary (subject to qualifications)
-A large degree of autonomy and flexible working hours

We place great emphasis on your personal suitability for the position. IFE is subject to the National Security Act, and the candidate must be able to pass a background check and must be able to obtain security clearance and authorization.

We view diversity as a strength in our work. We therefore encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion and ethnic background.

Contact information:
Stine Strand, Research Director, +47 416 04 120, stine.strand@ife.no
Sizarta Sarshar, Department Head, + 47 976 84 378, Sizarta.Sarshar@ife.no

About the employer:
Research for a better future.
IFE is an independent research foundation based in Norway at Kjeller and in Halden. We are in the forefront internationally in several fields within renewable digital technologies, material and process technology, flow and analysis technologies, radiopharmaceutical technology and nuclear technology. IFE develops new solutions for the industry and public sector in over 30 countries. IFE is host to the international OECD Halden Project. We are about 600 employees and the annual turnover is about NOK 1 billion. Read more about IFE at www.ife.no/en

Division Digital Systems.

IFE Digital Systems conduct research in complex, safety-critical, environments. Our eight departments focus on intelligent systems, risk, safety and security, visual computing, software engineering, 3D modeling, design for safety-critical systems and working environments, human-automation interaction, human-technology interaction, human-systems performance analysis and evaluation. Our division is very large and active in the international Halden Reactor Project.