SimulaMet welcomes its new director, Klas Pettersen
Published:
On Wednesday, April 9th, it was announced that Klas Pettersen will take over as Director of SimulaMet from August 1st, 2025. Pettersen comes from the position as leader of NORA (Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium).
“We welcome Klas as the new Director of SimulaMet, and are confident that he is an engaged and resourceful leader. Someone who will guide SimulaMet effectively and facilitate the continuation of excellent research that benefits society,” says Lillian Røstad, Chair of the SimulaMet board of directors.
Klas Pettersen will assume the position of Director at SimulaMet from August 1st, 2025.
“The research being done at SimulaMet is at the highest international level, and their research areas are of high importance both nationally and internationally”, says Pettersen.
“I know the organisation well, and am impressed by the excellent research and the opportunities within SimulaMet.”
He comes from his position as CEO of NORA (Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium), a national network for research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. Through his leadership of NORA, he has been a key contributor to the strategic development of Norway's national artificial intelligence initiatives, strengthening Norwegian research, education, and innovation in the field.
Pettersen originally holds a Master’s degree in physics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), where he studied quantum mechanics and relativity theory. After a brief period in the consulting industry, he began his doctoral studies and completed his PhD in theoretical neuroscience at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).
Much of Pettersen's research career has focused on applying methods from physics, mathematics, computer science, and artificial intelligence to understand brain mechanisms. His experience includes research positions at NMBU (2008-2013) and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Oslo (2014-2019), as well as consulting work in a multinational consulting firm.
He spent part of his doctoral period at Harvard Medical School in Boston, and later conducted research stays at the University of California San Diego.
Image source: Maria Louise Reichardt/norden.org