PhD position (3 years)

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

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At the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, a PhD-position (100 %) is available for a period of three (3) years. The position is part of the Research Council of Norway financed project: Reporting in context: An interdisciplinary initiative to strengthen maternal health services and surveillance in Ethiopia and Tanzania (MATRISET)

A number of medical and technical interventions have been introduced into health systems to reduce persistently high global maternal mortality rates. The Maternal Death Surveillance and Response System (MDSR) is one such intervention and constitutes a comprehensive WHO-promoted tool to enhance maternal mortality reporting globally. In overburdened health systems substantial underreporting has been documented. This has implications for the knowledge base generated and the relevance of policy initiatives to address weaknesses in maternal health services. Based in medicine/public health/health science, social science and law, the overall project initiative (MATRISET) explores institutional reporting routines, legal frameworks and accountability processes in maternal death surveillance in Ethiopia and Tanzania. The primary project objective is to improve the quality of maternal mortality reporting to strengthen the knowledge on which to base actions to reduce maternal deaths.

The announced PhD position is linked to the community component in the MATRISET project, and focuses on perceptions of facility birth care. Central to the investigation is the experience with maternal complications or death; how health personnel have responded and communicated in such events; and the extent to which communities have been involved in death review processes. Central research questions are; What are community members’ perceptions/experiences of safety in facility birth? How is trust and/or distrust between health services providers and community members expressed and negotiated? What are the community members’ experiences with birth calamities at health facilities and with potential reviews of maternal complications and death? How do community members perceive accountability mechanisms in maternal health and how are potential conflicts of interest handled?

Work tasks:

• conduct fieldwork for 6-12 months in Tanzania to map experiences with facility birth, complications and deaths from a commnuity perspective
• work in interdisciplinary cross-country teams with scholars from the medical and health sciences, social sciences and law
• participate in project activities including workshops and conferences
• complete the organized research training at the Faculty of Medicine, UiB
• submit a PhD thesis including 3 research articles within the third year

• the applicant must hold a master`s degree or equivalent in anthropology, sociology, development studies, health sciences/medicine or public health
• interest in (and preferably experience with) long term fieldwork and / or relevant research experience from the Global South
• ability to work independently, in a structured manner and in collaboration with others
• fluency in oral and written English is a must
• strong academic record (B or better) is a must

Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant enclose a review from NOKUT whether the education (bachelor and master degree) in question is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see www.nokut.no/en  for more information about NOKUT’s general recognition. The review from NOKUT may take some time and the application should be sent to NOKUT as soon as you have decided to apply for the position. If no answer within the application deadline, you may enclose documentation from NOKUT that they have received your application.

Language qualifications: English language requirements for PhD admission | Faculty of Medicine | UiB

Organized research training (PhD program): The candidate must take part in the University of Bergen approved PhD programme leading to the degree within a time limit of 3 years. You must have admission to the organized research training (PhD program) at the Faculty in order to qualify for the position. Application for admission to the PhD programme, including a project plan outline for the training plan must be submitted no later than three months after the date of commencement.

The PhD-position: PhD-positions are fixed term positions. You cannot be employed in a PhD-position for more than one fixed term period at the same institution or have had similar employment at an institution in the region.

• an interesting inter disciplinary research environment with core engagement in the MATRISET- and research group activities
• salary at pay grade 54 (code 1017/pay framework 20.10) NKR 491 200 before taxes, in the state scale. Further increases in salary will be based on seniority in the position. For applicants with at least one year of employment in a position as a General Practitioner or Dentist, salary level 56 NKR 507 600. Medical specialist start on wage level 59 NKR 534 400
• enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• good welfare benefits

• a brief project sketch (maximum 1500 words + references)
• a brief account of the applicant`s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• certified copies of diplomas and transcripts of grades. Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant enclose a review from NOKUT (both bachelor and master degree) whether the education in question is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see www.nokut.no/en  for more information about NOKUT’s general recognition. This may take some time and we recommend you to apply as soon as you know you will apply for this position. If no answer within the application deadline, please enclose documentation from NOKUT that they have received your application
• documentation of language skills (English) http://www.uib.no/en/med/115526/englishlanguage-requirements-phd-admission
• complete list of publications and scientific work you want to be evaluated
• any publication in your name
• two referees (name and contact information)

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: professor Astrid Blystad e-mail: [email protected]  phone +47 48185096)

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here .

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB (YouTube)

The University of Bergen (UiB) is an internationally recognised research university with more than 14,000 students and close to 3,500 employees at six faculties. The university is located in the heart of Bergen.

Our main contribution to society is excellent basic research and education across a wide range of disciplines.