PhD Candidate in Dermatology/Biostatistics

About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate in dermatology/biostatistics at the K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology , Department of Public Health and Nursing , NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.

The PhD candidate will work in a project where we aim to understand and improve outcomes for inflammatory skin diseases, with a main focus on psoriasis and eczema . For this purpose, we are utilizing data from large population-based cohorts, including the HUNT Study . The HUNT Study has four repeated health surveys since the 1980s, and contains detailed questionnaire data and biological materials, including serum metabolomic data available for 20 000 participants.

For further information about The Department of Public Health and Nursing (ISM): ISM video

The aim of the PhD project is to identify serum metabolites associated with inflammatory skin diseases, and to understand and predict the development of comorbidities based on metabolomic profiling. Metabolomic data could also be combined with other available -omics data within the project period, such as genomics for analysis of causal effects. 

The PhD candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary research environment at the K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology. The K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology is a large research group consisting of scientists with a diverse scientific background. The group works with world leading international collaborators to better understand human health and disease by studying variation in populations.

For further information about The K.G. Jebsen Center: The K.G. Jebsen video

The PhD position has a duration of three years (100%). The PhD candidate should start no later than December 31, 2022.

Duties of the position

The position offers challenging and varied tasks in an environment characterised by active, committed and skilled employees. Information about the PhD programme in Medicine and Health Sciences is available here: www.ntnu.edu/studies/phmedhv .

Required selection criteria

• A master’s degree or equivalent education within medicine or another relevant field, with a weighted-average grade of B or higher, in accordance with NTNU’s grading system
• Basic knowledge within statistics and quantitative research methods
• Excellent written and oral English language skills

The appointment is to be made in accordance with  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  

Preferred selection criteria

• Clinical experience within medicine and dermatology
• Prior experience within metabolomics
• Programming skills in Matlab, R, Phyton or equivalent

Personal characteristics

• Has the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Has good communication skills and ability to collaborate across academic disciplines
• Shows high motivation for the research field

Emphasis will be placed on motivation and personal aptitude for the position. Relevant candidates will be invited for an interview.

We offer

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 491 200 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 3 years

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in medicine and health science  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 follow 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: 

• Motivational letter of application (max. one page)
• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Name and address of two referees

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 project leader Dr. Mari Løset , e-mail: [email protected] , telephone 00 47 90799117. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-advisor Anne-Britt Hofstad , e-mail: [email protected] .

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

Application deadline: 31.08.2022

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 Public Health and Nursing (ISM) is responsible for research, teaching, innovation and dissemination in community medicine, nursing, primary health care and public health. The Department’s activities in both research and education focus on the needs of the primary health service.

ISM is one of eight departments at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and has about 350 employees in permanent and temporary positions. For more information on ISM, see:  www.ntnu.edu/ism .   

Deadline 31st August 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Håkon Jarls gate 11