Job description
Applications are invited for a three-year PhD position at the Institute of Health and Society as part of a larger project analyzing effects of primary and municipal care in patients with chronic diseases funded by the Research Council of Norway. The position is within a work package focusing on musculoskeletal diseases led by Professor Nina Vøllestad. Starting date is January 1st 2021.  

The project will use large-scale register data covering the MSD population in Oslo and Trondheim to investigate the relationship between primary and municipal care services, multimorbidity and outcomes employment, functioning and hospital use for MSD patients. The project group will apply various regression methods to identify patterns of multimorbidity and health care services associated with particularly poor and good outcomes: i.e. long-term use of welfare benefits or quick return to employment, poor or good functioning, and high and low use of hospital services. Data are linked at the individual level, giving complete health care and outcome histories for each patient. The project is part of a larger project, including collaboration with national and international colleagues. The successful candidate will work in a team of health care professionals, academics and statisticians.

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More about the position 
The fellowship period is for a period of 3 years. The purpose of the fellowship is research training, leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. The fellowship requires admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Medicine. For more information see: https://www.med.uio.no/english/research/phd/index.html

The applicant must, in collaboration with her/his supervisor, within three 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 https://www.med.uio.no/english/research/phd/index.html 

Qualification requirements 

• Applicants must hold a Master degree or equivalent, preferably in epidemiology, medicine/health related sciences, statistics or social sciences and have a strong interest in quantitative methods. The Master's Degree must have been obtained by the starting date January 1st 2021. Only applicants with grade points A or B on the ECTS scale will be qualified for admission to the PhD program. The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language
• Education or experience from the health sector will be an advantage
• Experience in statistical programs such as STATA, SPSS or R is required
• Experience in analyses of registries or large databases is an advantage 

Personal skills 
You should be highly motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work with a diverse range of individuals and organizations. 

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 542 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017)
• Academically stimulating working environment including the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment
• 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, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be given to the documented qualifications and the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged, either in person in Oslo or via Skype.   

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment. 

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.

Contact information
Questions regarding the project and position: Professor Nina Vøllestad, Phone number: +47 22845377 E-mail: n.k.vollestad@medisin.uio.no

Practical information regarding the application process: HR Advisor Susan Rockwell, E-mail: susan.rockwell@medisin.uio.no