PhD Research Fellow in Epidemiology

Job description

Applications are invited for a 100% 3-year position as PhD Research Fellow in epidemiology based at the Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo (UiO), Norway.

 

We are looking for a candidate interested in epidemiology and use of registry data, and with an educational background that enables understanding of the interplay between occupational hygiene, biological pathways of exposure and disease development in an occupational setting.

The OCBE is a joint centre of the UiO and Oslo University Hospital. OCBE has expanded considerably during the last decade, becoming one of Europe's most active biostatistics and epidemiology research groups. Currently, OCBE includes ten tenured professors and associate professors, 15 tenured researchers, and many postdoctoral fellows, PhD research fellows and visiting scientists, constituting a group of about 70 researchers. OCBE’s research is internationally recognized, particularly in the areas of time-to-event models and causal inference; epidemiology of lifestyle, occupation, chronic and infectious disease; methods for high-dimensional models and data integration (especially in molecular medicine); mathematical modelling of cancer; probabilistic modelling and Bayesian inference, stochastic algorithms and simulation-based inference; and statistical machine learning.

More about the position

The position is part of the project "Cardiovascular disease risk among Norwegian offshore petroleum workers: The impact of night shift work and benzene exposure", led by PI Dr. Jo S Stenehjem and co- PI Dr. Niki Marjerrison at OCBE, UiO and the Cancer Registry of Norway, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (CRN-NIPH) The candidate will be co-supervised by Dr. Leon Berge and the leader of the EpiStat group Prof. Marit B Veierød. The project is funded by the Norwegian Health Association and has several renowned national and international collaborating partners with expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, mathematics, biology, exposure assessment and occupational medicine.

The candidate will examine the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Norwegian offshore petroleum workers in relation to night shift work (NSW) and exposure to benzene, a volatile organic hydrocarbon in the petroleum stream, and the combination of both exposures in two cohorts of offshore petroleum workers. The Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers cohort was established in 1998 and includes work histories for the period 1965–1998 (n≈28 000 workers). A new cohort (Heliport) was recently established and is based on transport records from onshore Heliports to offshore platforms and back. The Heliport cohort includes Norwegian petroleum workers (n≈83 000) from the period 1980–2023. Both cohorts have been linked to several national health registries for data on CVD incidence and mortality. The candidate is expected to take an active part in the harmonization of the acquired data, in collaboration with a data manager. Utilizing a stratified case- cohort design and a full cohort design, CVD risk will be investigated in both cohorts according to job exposure matrices for benzene and NSW data.

We are looking for a motivated and competent candidate interested in statistical applications and epidemiological research. The candidate will join a highly active and international research group with PhD students and postdocs both at the OCBE and CRN-NIPH. The candidate will be expected to spend a part of their time at the CRN-NIPH (also based in Oslo, Norway).

The OCBE provides advising services for bio-medical research projects at the Faculty of Medicine, UiO and the regional hospitals. The candidate is expected to take part in this, often leading to valuable

 

learning-experiences, and further to co-authorships. The extent and type of involvement will be adapted to the candidate’s background and decided on together with the supervisory team.

Qualification requirements

• The ideal candidate should meet the following qualifications requirements:
• A masters’ degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, medicine, public health, biology or a related field (with documented knowledge in statistics) with the average grade of B or above and fulfill the admission requirements of the PhD programme at the Faculty of Medicine, UiO: Link here. 
• Experience with statistical methods for cohort studies is an advantage, but not necessary
• Good and documented programming skills, preferably with Stata or R.
• Capacity to develop and apply innovative research methods.
• Strong communication skills in English (written and oral).

Personal skills

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Strong motivation for research in occupational health and disease prevention

Why should you choose us?

• Dedicated mentoring and a professionally stimulating working environment.
• Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.
• Good welfare schemes.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Doctoral Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 536 200 - 575 400, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

 

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

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.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter (with a statement of motivation, summarizing educational background and scientific interests).
• CV (summarizing education, work experiences and other qualifying activity).
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only).
• A list of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number).

The application, with attachments, must be delivered 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 with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews. 

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian),  Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.