The Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering conducts research in several areas, including smart manufacturing, composite materials, sustainable built environment, information technology for built environment (BIM,  geospatial digital twin,  AI), wood mechanics and industrial wireless and sensor systems. The department aims to be the leading academic research institution in Norway within its disciplines. It has a large portfolio of Horizon Europa and Research Council of Norway (RCN) projects within these selected areas and has a strategic collaboration with relevant SMEs at Raufoss Industrial Park as well as the region's county council.

Knowledge of high international standards relevant to Norwegian industry and the public sector is generated through the department’s research activities.