PhD Candidate in Global Health

About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate at the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine

The PhD candidate will complete required academic training/coursework at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway and carry out the research activities at Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital (DH-KUSMS) in Nepal. The originally planned research scheme for the PhD candidate is approximately divided as 3 years in Nepal and 1 year in Norway. This position is a fixed term, 65/100 % position, for 4 years, starting in January 2024. This position is meant to contribute to the faculty development of DH/KUSMS

The position is tied to the project "A randomized controlled trial in Nepal: Implementing point-of-care-tests and identifying barriers to reduce antibiotics for vaginal discharge POCT-BRA study"  funded by the Department of clinical and molecular medicine and the Norwegian Research Council and the  and led by research fellow Risa Lonnee-Hoffmann and professor Eszther Vanky in Norway and associated profesor Sunila Shakya in Nepal.

The primary aim of the POCT-BRA project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of POCTs in reducing overtreatment of AVD with antibiotics in an LLMIC setting. The secondary objectives are to examine the diagnostic accuracy of these POCTs and their feasibility for patients and health practitioners, highlighting the benefits of patient education and addressing of psychosocial vulnerabilities.

Duties of the position

• to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) inclusive a follow up at Dhulikhel Hospital and six of its outreach centers to test the effectivenss of the POCTs with and without an educational intervention as well as addressing the patients psychosocial vulnerability
• to perform appropriate statistical analysis and interpretation of the results and present these in three academic works for peer review

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions.

Required selection criteria

The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in medicine, nursing or midwifery, alternative in public health or epidemiology or an equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant 

• Excellent English and Nepali skills, spoken and written
• The candidate must currently be employed at Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences I Dhulikhel Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital (DH-KUSMS)

Preferred selection criteria

• Background as a medical doctor, nurse, midwife or other health professional with experience within the field of women's health
• Prior written, scientific output (for example, master's thesis of high quality on a topic related to women's health
• Demonstrated ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated command of research skills, particularly quantitative, including data management

Personal characteristics

• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in a cross-disciplinary team.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 4 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Medicine and Health Sciences within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include: 

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 15 works)
• Name and address of three referees

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Risa Lonnee-Hoffmann, telephone +47 73597570, email: risa.lonnee-hoffmann@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor, e-mail: vebjorn.andreassen@ntnu.no 

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 24.9.2023

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM):

The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM) is NTNU’s largest department, with 450 employees. Our research and teaching help to improve treatment and health.

IKOM has expertise in basic, clinical and translational research within broad disciplinary areas. We study children’s and women’s health, cancers, blood disorders and infectious diseases, gastroenterology, inflammation, metabolic disorders, laboratory sciences and medical ethics. The Department offers teaching in medicine at master’s and PhD level. We also offer continuing education for employees in the health services.

Deadline 24th September 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Engagement
Place of service Adresse mangler, 7491 Trondheim