SINTEF is one of Europe’s largest independent research organisations, known for bridging cutting-edge science with industrial innovation and societal needs.
Through the Norway Mobility Program, data science talents from the Helmholtz Association can embark on a research stay of up to three months at SINTEF – collaborating hands-on with interdisciplinary teams and contributing to real-world projects in areas ranging from energy and healthcare to digital transformation, advanced materials, and marine and environmental technologies.
Über NORA
NORA - Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium
Die Western Norway University for Applied Science ist ein Partner von NORA, der Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium. Dieses Programm zielt darauf ab, die norwegische Forschung, Ausbildung und Innovation im Bereich der künstlichen Intelligenz, des maschinellen Lernens und der Robotik sowie andere relevante Forschungsarbeiten zu stärken, die die Entwicklung von Anwendungen der künstlichen Intelligenz unterstützen.
Gemeinsam mit HIDA organisiert NORA das Norway Mobility Program, das Promovierenden und Postdocs aus der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft und den NORA-Partnerinstitutionen die Möglichkeit zu einem Forschungsaufenthalt eröffnet.
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As an independent research institute, SINTEF offers a unique environment for researchers who want to work at the interface of science, technology, and implementation. Guest researchers are integrated into interdisciplinary teams and gain experience with real-world data, industrial systems, and scalable technological solutions.
Research at SINTEF is strongly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and national innovation priorities.
Research priorities
SINTEF consists of several specialised institutes, each with distinct thematic expertise:
- SINTEF Digital – Focused on AI, robotics, software engineering, and digital infrastructure
- SINTEF Industry – Materials, manufacturing, and process technology
- SINTEF Ocean – Marine technology, aquaculture, and ocean space research
- SINTEF Energy Research – Renewable energy, power systems, and energy efficiency
- SINTEF Community – Sustainable cities, construction, and social systems
- SINTEF Manufacturing – Manufacturing technologies, automation, and industrial production
SINTEF employs approximately 2,200 researchers and engineers, and collaborates with a wide network of academic and industrial partners across Europe and beyond.
The sites
The sites
SINTEF operates across multiple sites in Norway, forming one of the country’s most extensive research infrastructures.
The main locations include:
- Headquarters in Trondheim – the core of SINTEF’s operations, with approximately 1,400 employees based here.
- Oslo – the second-largest site, home to around 400 employees, including research divisions such as SINTEF Digital and offices in Forskningsveien
Additional locations across Norway:
- Bergen
- Stavanger
- Ålesund
- Tromsø
- Porsgrunn
- Raufoss
These sites are often associated with specific institutes, such as SINTEF Industry, SINTEF Manufacturing, or SINTEF Nord.
SINTEF also operates a research station in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.
SINTEF's Expertise in Data Science & AI
At SINTEF, data science and artificial intelligence are central to advancing applied research across key societal and industrial domains. SINTEF Digital, the institute’s dedicated division for ICT and computational technologies, plays a leading role in developing robust, ethical, and industry-relevant AI solutions.
Its researchers work on everything from machine learning algorithms to sensor systems, simulation platforms, and digital infrastructures. As part of the Norway Mobility Programme, SINTEF offers PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers from the Helmholtz Association the opportunity to collaborate on cutting-edge projects in areas such as:
- Industrial AI and Smart Manufacturing
- Development of predictive maintenance systems, real-time monitoring, and automation solutions — including AI-driven control in robotics and production environments.
- AI for Energy Systems
- Forecasting and optimisation tools for renewable integration, power grids, and energy efficiency, using machine learning and digital twin models.
- AI in Health Technology and Welfare Services
- Algorithms for early diagnostics, decision support, and patient safety in e-health systems — with particular attention to explainability, bias, and regulatory standards.
- Secure and Trustworthy AI
- Research into explainable AI, algorithmic transparency, privacy-preserving analytics, and certification of safety-critical systems, e.g. in autonomous vehicles and maritime technology.
- AI for Climate and Environmental Monitoring
- Application of satellite data, remote sensing, and geospatial analytics to monitor environmental change, biodiversity, and emissions — including work on data fusion and model validation.
- Simulation and Digital Twin Technologies
- SINTEF Digital leads work on advanced simulation frameworks and digital twins for infrastructure, maritime operations, and industrial processes, integrating real-time sensor data and predictive analytics.
How to Apply
- Step 1: Contact a research group at one of the NORA member institutions to discuss the possibility of a three-month research stay.
- Step 2: Apply through this link.
- Step 3: Applications are reviewed by a selection committee, and you will be notified shortly thereafter.
You can find more details about the application process [here]
The selection of candidates for the scholarship is primarily based on the applicant’s motivation, the quality and originality of the project, and the overall feasibility within the proposed research stay. In addition, a clear connection to the field of Information & Data Science and added value for the Helmholtz Association’s research portfolio must be evident. The final decision on funding will be made in coordination with the respective Helmholtz Centers.
Please note that the program is open to doctoral researchers and postdocs with an employment contract at a Helmholtz Center, as well as Helmholtz-affiliated doctoral researchers and postdocs. If you are affiliated with a Helmholtz Center but employed elsewhere, please contact us before submitting your application.
As part of this exchange, HIDA acts as a liaison between hosts and participants and covers travel and material costs for Helmholtz participants. For specific questions regarding contractual and employment matters, please contact the program officers at your Helmholtz Center or the host institution.
More information about the program regulations can be found [here]
Contact
Stefanie Gruber-Sliva
Networks & Mobility Program Manager
Contact
