Daniel Nordgård

The University of Agder (UiA) is offering two full-time PhD Research Fellowships in AI in the Creative and Cultural Industries at the Faculty of Fine Arts, located at Campus Kristiansand, Norway. These three-year positions are part of MishMash – Center for AI and Creativity, a major Norwegian AI center funded by the Research Council of Norway (2025–2030), involving over 200 professionals from higher education institutions and public/private sector partners. MishMash aims to create, explore, and reflect on artificial intelligence for and within creative practices, with a focus on the impact of AI on creative processes, co-creative AI systems, educational strategies, and the ethical, legal, cultural, and societal implications of AI in creative fields. The PhD positions are linked to Work Package 5 in MishMash, focusing on AI in the Creative and Cultural Industries. Candidates will investigate how AI is reshaping these industries at a systemic level, with particular encouragement for projects exploring power structures, economic models, legal frameworks, ethics, and sustainability. Collaboration with MishMash network partners is encouraged to strengthen research projects. The successful candidate will participate in MishMash work packages, collaborate across the network, and engage in all relevant activities. The Faculty of Fine Arts at UiA comprises the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, the Department of Classical Music and Music Education, and the Department of Popular Music, supporting research in popular music, classical music, visual arts, and performing arts. The PhD program in Fine Arts offers two dissertation formats: scientific and combined artistic-scientific. Applicants must specify their intended format in their application and ensure their proposed research aligns with MishMash’s goals. Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, with high proficiency in spoken and written English. While Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is advantageous, it is not required. Applicants in the final phase of their master’s degree may apply, provided the degree is completed before employment. Candidates must meet the PhD program’s admission requirements and demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, and independent research skills. Personal suitability and motivation are key selection criteria. The position offers academic development in a large, inclusive, and diverse organization, with modern facilities and welfare services. The annual gross salary is NOK 550,800, with statutory contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. UiA encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds and is committed to diversity and inclusion. Applications must be submitted electronically via the provided link, including diplomas, master’s thesis, certificates, scientific work, cover letter, and a detailed project description. All documentation must be in a Scandinavian language or English. The application deadline is 1 February 2026. For further information, contact Professor Daniel Nordgård (Vice Director in MishMash) or Professor Anne Haugland Balsnes (Chair of the Doctoral Program). For application process queries, contact Clare Hildebrandt, PhD Coordinator. Join UiA and MishMash to explore the intersection of AI and the creative and cultural industries, contribute to innovative research, and be part of a vibrant academic community in Southern Norway.

The University of Agder (UiA) invites applications for two full-time PhD Research Fellowships in the creative use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, based at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Campus Kristiansand, Norway. These three-year positions are part of the MishMash – Center for AI and Creativity, a major Norwegian AI center funded by the Research Council of Norway (2025–2030), involving over 200 professionals from higher education, public actors, and industry partners. MishMash aims to create, explore, and reflect on AI for, through, and in creative practices, with a strong interdisciplinary and collaborative ethos. The successful candidates will join Work Package 4 (WP4) of MishMash, focusing on the integration of AI into creative and artistic subjects to enhance human creativity, learning, and formation. Research topics may include the ethical considerations of AI in the arts, the creative use of AI in formal, non-formal, and informal learning contexts, and interdisciplinary projects spanning multiple creative disciplines. Collaboration with MishMash network partners from public and private sectors is encouraged to strengthen research impact. The Faculty of Fine Arts at UiA comprises the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, the Department of Classical Music and Music Education, and the Department of Popular Music, supporting vibrant research environments in music, visual arts, and performing arts. The PhD program in Fine Arts offers both scientific and combined artistic-scientific dissertation formats, and applicants must specify their intended format in their application. The position is closely tied to the academic fields of art and artificial intelligence, and applications will be assessed for relevance to MishMash’s goals and objectives. Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, with documentation that the degree aligns with the position’s profile. Good English skills, both written and spoken, are required, and proficiency may be assessed during the interview. Applicants in the final phase of their master’s degree may also apply, provided the degree is completed before employment. Admission to the PhD program in Fine Arts at UiA is a prerequisite, and knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage but not required. Preferred qualifications include a relevant master’s thesis topic, experience or practice in related fields, and strong communication and collaboration skills. Personal suitability and motivation for the position will be emphasized. The position offers academic development in a large, inclusive, and diverse organization, with modern facilities and a wide range of welfare services. The annual gross salary is NOK 550,800, with statutory contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund deducted. UiA is committed to diversity and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, age, cultural background, disability, or gaps in their CV. Applications must be submitted electronically via the provided application link, including diplomas with grades, master’s thesis, certificates, scientific work and R&D activities, cover letter, and a project description (max. 12,000 characters plus reference list). All documentation must be in a Scandinavian language or English. The application deadline is 1 February 2026. For further information, contact Professor Daniel Nordgård (Vice Director in MishMash, [email protected]), Professor Anne Haugland Balsnes (Chair of the Doctoral Program, [email protected]), or Clare Hildebrandt (PhD Coordinator, [email protected]). Join UiA’s dynamic research community and contribute to innovative research at the intersection of AI, creativity, and education. For more details about MishMash, visit mishmash.no .

The University of Agder (UiA) invites applications for a Post-doctoral Research Fellow in AI and Cultural Heritage, based at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Popular Music. This fixed-term position is for three years, with the possibility of extension to four years including teaching and administrative duties. The role is located at UiA’s Kristiansand campus and is affiliated with MishMash - Center for AI and Creativity, a Norwegian AI center funded by the Research Council of Norway and Cultiva foundation. The postdoc will join WP6 (AI for cultural heritage) within MishMash, focusing on advancing AI integration in the discovery, organization, and distribution of Nordic cultural heritage. This includes archives, libraries, museums, and commercial entities. Projects may explore innovative AI systems for showcasing cultural works, interlinking systems for rights management, and highlighting the impact of cultural heritage on contemporary creativity. Special attention is given to minority cultural expressions such as Norwegian folk music, Sámi joik, and world chant cultures. The Department of Popular Music is recognized for its research and education in music, creativity, and new technologies, holding Centre for Excellence in Education status (CreaTeME) and serving as a central partner in MishMash. The successful candidate will collaborate across the MishMash network, participate in relevant activities, and contribute to external grant applications (e.g., Horizon Europe). Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant subject area, with thesis approved by the application deadline. Fluency in English is required, and strong academic writing skills are expected. Knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is advantageous but not mandatory. Desired qualifications include interest in AI and creativity, understanding of creative and cultural industries, experience collaborating with non-academic partners, grant application experience, and practical or academic knowledge of creative and cultural industries. The position offers a gross annual salary of NOK 600,000 – 650,000, with compulsory pension contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. Higher salary grades may be considered for particularly well-qualified applicants. UiA provides a positive, inclusive, and diverse working environment, modern facilities, and comprehensive welfare benefits. Applications must be submitted electronically via the provided link, including a research proposal (3-5 pages), CV, list of publications, certificates with grades, and all documentation in a Scandinavian language or English. The deadline for applications is August 9, 2026. Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview, and background checks may be conducted with consent. For questions about the position, contact Professor Daniel Nordgård ([email protected]). For application process inquiries, contact Tone Elisabeth Furre ([email protected]). UiA encourages qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and aspires to engage more women in top artistic and scientific positions. The university combines the warmth of Southern Norway with first-class expertise in science, technology, and the arts, offering a unique environment for research and collaboration.