Job description

A 3-4 year PhD Research fellowship in psychology is available at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo.

The fellowship is devoted to investigating the life-course health and psychosocial outcomes of personality pathology. The fellow will analyse genetically informative data from two prior waves of interviews of twins from the 1967-79 cohort, as well as a data from an extended twin sample, planned to be collected spring 2023. Long term outcomes of psychopathology will be assessed using data from national health and population registries.

The position will offer opportunities to develop high-quality research competence, and to work with leading experts in the field. The fellow is expected to develop strong skills in advanced statistical methods and finalize three articles within the project period. Associate Professor Nikolai Czajkowski leads the project in collaboration with researchers at the PROMENTA Research Center.

PROMENTA carries out interdisciplinary research on mental health and well-being in a holistic perspective – from genetics and biology to local communities and policy. We are concerned with examining determinants of good and poor mental health, understanding how social inequalities emerge, and designing and evaluating effective interventions to promote well-being.

We strive to provide our candidates with opportunities to develop high-quality research competence, across disciplines, working alongside leading experts in our fields. While working for us, you will be part of a dynamic and interdisciplinary work environment, with ample opportunities for scientific and social input throughout the academic year.

The PROMENTA Research Center with more than 50 scientific staff is funded by the Research Council of Norway, and hosted by the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo (UiO).

Colourbox

More about the position

The PhD Research position is linked to the project “Causes, consequences, and life-course trajectories of personality pathology – a longitudinal extended children-of-twins study” funded by a grant from the Norwegian Research Council. The aim of the project is to study the etiology of personality pathology over a 25 year period from early to middle adulthood, to determine how risk of personality pathology is transmitted within families, and assess long-term outcomes.

The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three years. A fourth year can be considered with the addition of 25% teaching duties, usually in the form of teaching activities, depending on the competence of the applicant and the needs of the department. The fellowship is planned to begin January 1st 2023.

For more information about the position and for a detailed project description, please contact Associate Professor. Nikolai Czajkowski (email: n.o.czajkowski@psykologi.uio.no, phone: +47- 22845163).

Qualification requirements

  • A Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in psychology, medicine, other social science disciplines or related field. Only applicants with a grade point average of A, B or C on the ECTS scale in their Master’s degree will be qualified for admission to the Ph.D. program.
  • Strong skills in quantitative data analysis.
  • Excellent English skills, orally and in writing.
  • A strong interest in understanding the life-course consequences of psychopathology.
  • Ambition for high-quality research within the project, as evidenced by the required letter of application, explaining the motivation for applying and how own qualifications are suitable for the announced position.
  • Personal suitability, motivation and willingness to collaborate with academics from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred additional qualifications

  • Experience with research on personality, personality disorders, or psychopathology.
  • Familiarity with the software platforms R or Python.
  • Research experience or training in analysing longitudinal data.
  • Familiarity with quantitative genetic designs and analyses, such twin and adoption studies.
  • An ability to work independently.

We offer

  • A salary of NOK 501 200  – 544 400 per annum depending on qualifications. 
  • A professionally stimulating work environment and collaboration with a newly established research center (PROMENTA) at the Department of Psychology.
  • Opportunities for extensive collaboration with our national and international collaborators.
  • Attractive pension and social welfare benefits.
  • 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, summarizing scientific work and research interest and how own qualifications match the announced position), max. 3 pages.
  • CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity) and a complete list of publications.
  • Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only).
  • Copies of publications/academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee.
  • Names and contact details of two-three references (name, relation, e-mail, and phone number).

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. International 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, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

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.

This is a project funded by the Research Council of Norway and applicants with a previous PhD degree cannot be appointed for this position.

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

Project manager Nikolai Czajkowski, e-mail: n.o.czajkowski@psykologi.uio.no

Senior HR officer Linn Berg Salvesen: e-mail: l.b.salvesen@psykologi.uio.no

About the University of Oslo 

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.

The Department of Psychology is one of seven units of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and has 75 permanent and 70 temporary members of scientific staff. Degrees are offered at bachelor and master level, plus a clinical training programme, and the PhD programme has 140 students.

Apply for this job

Leave a Reply