He was appointed professor at the University of Oslo from 1963 to 1971. As researcher he has contributed to the fields of Aurora Borealis and cosmic physics. He had a leading position at Norges Industriforbund from 1971 to 1977, and was director of the research council Norges almenvitenskapelige forskningsråd from 1978 to 1988.
He is a fellow of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.
He resides at Eiksmarka.