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Norwegian Centres of Excellence

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences hosts three Norwegian Centres of Excellence (SFF). The Faculty also plays an active part in four SFF hosted by other faculties at University of Oslo or other institutions. The SFF title is obtained in strong competition and is assigned for a period of up to ten years, with a minimum of five years.

The Research Council of Norway has initiated a Centres of Excellence (CoE) scheme with the intention of bringing more Norwegian researchers and research groups up to a high international standard. The centres are affiliated with Norway's top universities and premier independent research institutes.


Centers hosted by the MN faculty:

Norwegian Centre for Knowledge-driven Machine Learning (Integreat)

Integreat is a Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway, hosted by University of Oslo, and with partners UiT The Arctic University of Norway and Norwegian Computing Center. Our research  makes machine learning more sustainable, accurate, trustworthy, and ethical.

With world-leading researchers, young talents, and prominent international scientists, Integreat will shape the new field of knowledge-driven machine learning in Norway from the centre's start in 2023 and for the next ten years.

Centre for Planetary Habitability (PHAB)

Earth is the only planet on which life is known to have originated. Earth has abundant surface water, a large moon, a long-lived magnetic field, and plate tectonics. Yet, which of these and other characteristics are essential for long-term habitability? How have Earth’s physical and chemical attributes, and thus our planet’s proclivity for life, evolved? How can we recognize distant worlds around other stars that have been or could be habitable?

The Centre for Planetary Habitability is the first research centre of its kind in Norway and will explore these questions that have captivated scientists for centuries.

Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics (RoCS)

The Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics is hosted by the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics at the University of Oslo. The centre aims to understand how the Earths closest star actually works. RoCs was established in 2017.

Hylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular Sciences

The centre aims to give important contributions to the understanding of the biology, chemistry and physics of the molecules. The centre is shared equally between the University of Oslo and the University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway, with the University of Oslo as project owner. The Hylleraas Centre was established in 2017. 


Sentre som koordineres ved andre fakulteter ved UiO:

Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming (CanCell) 

The research centre is located at the Oslo University Hospital with participants from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The aim is to reprogram cancer cells in order to make ways for new kinds of cancer treatment. 

Developing an integrated open access organ on chip platform for drug discovery

The centre is developing a new technology which aims to make a new understanding of the organs of the body and how different types of treatments work. Developing an integrated open access organ on chip platform for drug discovery is located at the Faculty of Medicine with participants from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion (RITMO)

Rythm is essential when we walk, dance and play, tell stories or we are trying to predict the future. Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion is located at the Department of Musicology with participants from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.


Eksterne sentre som har MN-fakultetet som partner:

Porous Media Laboratory (PoreLab)

PoreLab is a Norwegian Center of Excellence created in 2017. It is situated at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim and the University of Oslo (UiO) with participants from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. It focuses on the physics of porous media using experimental, theoretical and computational methods. It is led by five principal scientists from physics, chemistry and reservoir engineering.


Closed centers:

The Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED)

The Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED) is hosted by the Department of Geosciences at the University of Oslo, Norway. CEED aims to explore the mechanisms that link volcanism and near-surface deformation with deep Earth processes. CEED was established in 2013 and is directed by Professor Trond Torsvik.

Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES)

Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES) integrates interdisciplinary scientific fields to study ecological and evolutionary processes. Understanding how living organisms respond and adapt to environmental changes remains a major and urgent scientific challenge. CEES was established in 2007 and completed as a SFF in 2017. The centre continues its work as a centre without SFF status. 

Centre for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (CTCC) 

Centre for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (CTCC) was split between the Universities of Oslo and Tromsø. CTCC aimed at being an internationally reknown contributor to the development and application of quantum-mechanical modeling in chemistry and materials science. CTCC was established in 2007 and completed in 2017.

Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR)

Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) was a research centre located at the University of Oslo and the Oslo University Hospital. The scientific goal of the centre was to identify mechanisms of immune dysregulation that contribute to autoimmune disease and allergy. CIR was established in 2007.

Centre for cancer biomedicine (CCB)

Centre for cancer biomedicine (CCB) at University of Oslo aimed towards a better understanding of the complex dynamics of cancer evolution, more accurate prediction of cancer prognosis and response to treatment, more powerful molecular based treatment – for the future benefit of the individual cancer patient. CCB was established in 2007.

Centre for Biomedical Computing (CBC) 

Centre for Biomedical Computing (CBC) at Simula Research Laboratoryaims to develop and apply novel simulation technologies to reach new understanding of complex physical processes affecting human health. The center target selected medical problems where insight from mathematical modeling can contribute to changing clinical practice. CBC was established in 2007.

  • Centre leader: Professor Hans Petter Langtangen, Simula Research Laboratory.

Physics of Geological Processes (PGP)

Physics of Geological Processes (PGP) was hosted by the MN Faculty at the University of Oslo. It was a cross-disciplinary research centre, involving numerous physicists and Earth scientists. The objective of PGP was to obtain a fundamental and quantitative understanding of the complex patterns and processes of the earth. PGP was established in 2003 and completed in 2013.

Centre of Mathematics for Applications (CMA)

Centre of Mathematics for Applications (CMA) was hosted by the MN Faculty at the University of Oslo. It was a cross-disciplinary research centre, involving mathematicians and computer scientists, but also scientists in physics, astronomy and economy. A main principal of CMA was that ground-breaking research depends on strong links between theory and applications. Classical theorists and numerical analysts with a strong commitment to theory were merged in the centre, the main focus being on topics which can lead to the future development of computational mathematics. CMA was established in 2003 and completed in 2013. 

International Centre of Geohazards (ICG)

International Centre of Geohazards (ICG) was hosted by Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI). ICG carried out research on the assessment, prevention and mitigation of geohazards, including risk of landslide in soil and rock due to rainfall, flooding, earthquakes and human intervention, and the geological risks in deep waters, especially underwater slides. ICG was established in 2003 and completed in 2013.

  • Centre leader: Senior Scientist Farrokh Nadim, NGI.

Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience (CMBN)

Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience (CMBN) was a research centre located at the University of Oslo and Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital. CMBN aimed to take on a leading role in elucidating the role of DNA repair and genome maintenance mechanisms in preventing neurological disease and brain ageing. CMBN was established in 2003 and completed in 2013.


See also

Published Mar. 10, 2011 4:17 PM - Last modified Sep. 7, 2023 11:57 AM