Postdoctoral fellow in occupational cancer epidemiology

Applications are invited for a 2-year position as a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology to be based at the Cancer Registry of Norway, Department of Research, Section for Epidemiology and Prevention.

The Cancer Registry of Norway, part of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, is a governmental agency with nationwide responsibilities. It collects data, controls data quality, prepares statistics on cancer incidence in Norway, and manages screening programs for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers, and employs around 220 people. The Department of Research at the Cancer Registry comprises 16 researchers, 9 postdocs, and 6 PhD students, forming a group of over 30 scientists, supplemented by a research support section. Ongoing research at other parts at the Cancer Registry covers a wide range of topics, including cancer etiology, biomolecular research, and projects focused on screening, early detection, and prognosis.

About the research project

The position is funded by the Norwegian Cancer Society, and it is part of the project, "Chemical Exposures, Night Shift Work and Cancer Risk in Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers". The project is led by Dr. Jo S Stenehjem at the Cancer Registry of Norway who will serve as main supervisor for the postdoctoral fellow. Co-PI Dr. Tom K Grimsrud will co-supervise the postdoctoral fellow. The postdoctoral fellow will join a highly active research group that is currently investigating health effects of the offshore work environment. The project collaborates closely with Professor Marit B Veierød at the Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), University of Oslo (UiO) who will co-supervise the postdoctoral fellow.

The project group also has a long-lasting collaboration with the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch at the National Cancer Institute (MD, USA). Other collaborating partners include the Faculty of Mathematics (UiO), the University of Bergen, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine (NY, USA).

The present project will make use of two cohorts of offshore workers: the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Worker (NOPW) cohort and the Heliport cohort which in combination include ca. 100,000 workers. The postdoctoral fellow will study cancer risk among offshore workers in comparison to background rates for the Norwegian population, or between subgroups according to exposure, and conduct etiological studies of hydrocarbon exposure and/or night shift work in relation to lymphohematopoietic, colorectal, and prostate cancer. See the projects webpage for further information.

Qualifications and personal skills

We are looking for a motivated and competent candidate with experience or interest in occupational epidemiology.

Applicants must

• Hold a PhD in epidemiology, biostatistics, or related fields*
• Have documented experience with epidemiological study designs and statistical methods beyond the basic level
• Have experience in coding beyond the basic level using statistical software like Stata or R
• Exhibit documented academic track record, evidenced by successful publishing in scientific journals
• Show an interest in and motivation for occupational health and prevention
• Be able to work effectively as part of a team, but also to work independently
• Manage to conduct research at a high international level
• Be fluent in English both orally and in academic writing and preferably in a Scandinavian language
  
  *Candidates may apply after submission of their PhD-thesis, but the fellowship can not commence until the PhD-thesis has been formally presented, defended and approved.

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, academic/teaching/administrative experiences, and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications
• Up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered
• List of reference persons: 2–3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail
  and phone number)

The application with attachments must be submitted through our electronic recruiting system. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language). In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications as well as the candidate's motivation and personal suitability. Interviews, and possibly a case study or test of skills, will be arranged with the best qualified candidates.
Questions about the content of the position can be addressed to project leader Jo S Stenehjem, whilst questions regarding the employment process can be directed to HR advisor Synne Hennum Andersen.

We offer

• Salary to be agreed depending on qualifications in position as postdoctoral fellow
• Dedicated supervision and a professionally stimulating working environment
• A formalized career development plan for postdocs
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Colleagues and leaders intending concerned to facilitate a good balance between work and leisure time, and offer exercise during working hours and the possibility of partial work from home.