PhD Candidate in Health Economic Evaluation

Job description

Applications are invited for a 3-year position in a Research Fellowship as a PhD Candidate in Health Economic Evaluation to be based at the Department of Health Management and Health Economics, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo.

The PhD Fellowship is devoted to carrying out specific tasks related to the project entitled Holistic and sustainable lung cancer control strategies (LC-CONTROL), which is a 4-year project starting in January 2025 and is funded by the Norwegian Cancer Society. The overarching objective of LC-CONTROL is to identify a set of coordinated lung cancer control programs (i.e., tobacco control, screening, and cancer treatment) that sustainably and efficiently reduce the burden of lung cancer. LC-CONTROL will generate the first holistic policy evaluation framework to quantify the long-term outcomes of novel lung cancer control strategies, including health impacts on lung cancer as well as diseases detected by low-dose CT that extend beyond lung cancer. The project will involve the development and adaptation of complex natural history lung cancer microsimulation models to Norwegian data on disease burden, costs, and quality of life. The model will be expanded to include a two-stage genomic risk assessment and potentially artificial intelligence-assisted imaging. Using data from the Norwegian TIDL pilot screening trial, HUNT studies and linked registries, the project will evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the TIDL protocol, 2-stage eligibility criteria, and screening algorithms incorporating novel technologies. The project is conducted in collaboration with researchers and clinicians at Ahus, NTNU, University of Tromsø, Drammen hospital, University of York and Harvard Medical School/MGH. Place of work is Oslo, but international travel will likely be required during the project period. 

The PhD fellowship involves adapting the microsimulation models to Norwegian data, including comprehensive calibration and validation to the Norwegian context, as well as expanding the model to allow evaluation of novel screening approaches. As part of this, the candidate will synthesize Norwegian economic and health-related quality of life data related to lung cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment. Following model adaption, the PhD candidate will conduct a series of lung cancer screening policy evaluations. 

User involvement is an important part of the project and LC-CONTROL has affiliated user representatives. The PhD candidate is expected to participate in all activities related to user involvement. 

More about the position

The research fellow must take part in the Medical Faculty’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period of 3 years. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The applicant must, in collaboration with her/his supervisor, within 3 months after employment, have worked out a complete project description to be attached to the application for admission to the doctoral program. For more information, please see our web site Doctoral degree: PhD in medicine and health sciences - Faculty of Medicine

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Health Economics and Health Policy, or equivalent degrees. A Master’s degree (120 ECTS) minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS
• Have experience developing decision-analytic microsimulation models in a programming language such as R, C++ or similar
• Have experience with individual-level data analyses (as inputs into simulation models)
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

In addition, the following qualifications are beneficial for the position:

• Knowledge of lung cancer natural history
• Knowledge of evaluation of cancer screening programs
• Knowledge of healthcare priority setting criteria in Norway
• Experience with evidence sythesis, e.g., scoping reivews, systematic reivews
• Experience with research dissemination, .e.g., conferences, etc.

We offer

• Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017)
• 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

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• Documentation of english proficiency (if degrees were in non-English-speaking programs)
• A complete list of publications and academic works
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. 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).

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

Associate Professor Kine Pedersen, e-post: kine.pedersen@medisin.uio.no