The University of Agder (UiA) invites applications for a PhD Research Fellow in ICT, focusing on Multimodal Agentic AI for a Virtual Coaching Assistant. This full-time position is based at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Information and Communication Technology, and is affiliated with the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR). The role is for three years, or four years with 25% career-promoting work, and is located at Campus Grimstad, Norway, with substantial collaboration expected with project partners, especially Initial Force in Trondheim.

This PhD position is part of the Research Council of Norway Innovation Project, 'Virtual Coaching Assistant: Towards a Sustainable Coaching Industry,' where UiA is a core research partner. The research will contribute to the development of personalized AI agents and their interactions, combining theoretical understanding, methodological development, and practical experimentation. The project is conducted in close collaboration with industry and research partners, including Initial Force AS and NTNU, and involves applied research in realistic, data-intensive environments.

Key research activities include designing and implementing benchmarking pipelines for multimodal agentic AI systems, focusing on robustness, reliability, and trustworthiness; developing evaluation methodologies that combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert assessment; investigating model behavior, failure modes, and uncertainty in AI systems operating on complex, heterogeneous data; and contributing to open, reproducible research practices within CAIR. The research sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, multimodal data, and real-world deployment within sports and health science.

Applicants must have a master's degree in Computer Science, ICT, Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related field. Candidates in the final stages of their master's degree may also apply. Required skills include a solid background in AI and machine learning (including deep neural networks), programming proficiency in Python, and experience or strong interest in language models (SLMs/LLMs), agentic AI systems, deep learning architectures, multimodal AI (text, time-series, sensor data, video), explainable and trustworthy AI, and model deployment in real-world settings. Familiarity with collaborative software development, data and machine-learning frameworks, language model customization, agentic AI frameworks, and cloud platforms is expected. Written and spoken English proficiency is required; international candidates must document English proficiency via TOEFL (minimum 600 PBT or 92 iBT) or IELTS (minimum 6.5).

Desired qualifications include hands-on experience with AI-based workflows and generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude Code), benchmarking and evaluation of complex AI systems, robustness and uncertainty estimation, deployment in high-stakes environments, and interest or background in sport science, movement analysis, coaching, biomechanics, or related applied domains. Prior research experience and familiarity with open, reproducible research practices are advantageous. Personal qualities sought include a research-oriented mindset, strong motivation, independence, analytical skills, communication skills, inventiveness, curiosity, and willingness to engage in an international research environment and industry collaboration.

The position offers professional development in a large, exciting, and socially influential organization, a positive, inclusive, and diverse working environment, modern facilities, and comprehensive welfare offers. Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is included. The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, with a gross annual salary of NOK 550,800. A compulsory pension contribution is deducted from the pay according to statutory provisions.

UiA encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, age, cultural background, disability, or incomplete CV. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with current regulations, and organizational changes and changes in duties and responsibilities must be expected. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview, and reference checks may be conducted with the applicant’s permission.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the provided link. Required documentation includes certificates with grades, master's thesis, references, academic work and R&D projects, project description (including research questions, theory perspectives, material, progress plan, and methods), and any other relevant documentation. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English. The application deadline is 25 February 2026.

For questions about the position, contact Professor Morten Goodwin ([email protected]), Daniel Groos ([email protected]), or Head of Department Folke Haugland ([email protected]). For questions about the application process, contact HR-advisor Linda H. Kristiansen ([email protected]).

UiA is one of Southern Norway's largest workplaces, with more than 1,500 employees and almost 14,000 students. The university is located on two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad, offering a vibrant research, teaching, and dissemination environment across diverse fields.