PhD fellowship 

spring
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Job description

One PhD fellowship is available at the PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. The PhD fellow will be working in the project Tracing sex-specific pathways to adolescent depression (TRACE) funded by Stiftelsen DAM.

The project will increase knowledge about the causes of depression in girls. While it is established that gender can be a predictor for depression, the underlying reasons remain unclear. The aim of this PhD project is to investigate the interplay between epigenetic and genetic factors as well as environmental risk factors to understand the underlying processes contributing to girls' increased susceptibility to depression. Furthermore, we will analyze the interconnectedness of depressive symptoms, assessing the associations and patterns between individual symptoms in both genders.

The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three years. The employment period can be considered to be up to 4 years given addition of teaching and administrative duties (up to 25 %), depending on the competence of the successful applicant and the needs of the department. The research fellow must take part in the Department’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. The fellowship is planned to begin in the spring of 2024.

For more information about the positions please see contact information below.


More about the project

Depression is a prevalent, costly, and disabling mental disorder worldwide. Worryingly, rates of depression among adolescents have increased substantially over the past decades, and disproportionally so in girls. In close collaboration with user representatives, the PhD fellowship will a) generate a deeper understanding of sex-specific developmental processes in depression, b) progress towards a novel model of biological and environmental risks for depression in girls, c) identify interconnectedness of sub symptoms that may differ for girls and boys, and d) identify characteristics that reduce individual risks and provide a foundation for evidence-based interventions to reduce depression among adolescent girls.

TRACE will use data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child cohort study (MoBa), advanced genetically informative longitudinal methods, combined with diagnoses from the national registries. MoBa is ongoing and administered by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and following 114,000 pregnancies recruited between 1998 and 2008. Currently, twelve waves of questionnaires have been collected in MoBa from mothers and twice from fathers. In addition, adolescents have provided self-reported data from age 14 and 16. High quality controlled genetic data is available for 240,000 individuals, along with epigenetic data at birth and registry data.

The PhD fellow will be collaborating with The Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association and will together with the PI plan and carry out user involvement workshops with High-school students and health nurses during the duration of the project.


The PROMENTA Research Center

The PROMENTA Research Center 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. This includes training in both social science and genetic methods, and the possibility teaching and educational courses.

The PROMENTA Research Center with more than 50 scientific staff was established based on funding from the Research Council of Norway, and hosted by the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo (UiO). Read more about working at PROMENTA.


Qualification requirements

  • A Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in psychology, medicine, pedagogy, epidemiology, or other related fields. 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.
  • Previous experience with relevant programming tools (e.g., R, Mplus) and strong statistical skills (e.g., multilevel modelling, structural equation modelling).
  • Proficient oral and written communication skills in English.
  • Excellent communication and collaborative skills.
  • Enjoys working within an interdisciplinary team.

Favourable qualifications (not requirements, but give applicants an advantage):

  • Experience with developmental research is an advantage.
  • Experience with research using Polygenic scores, genetic or epigenetic data is an advantage.
  • Experience working with administrative register data or other types of big data is an advantage.
  • Experience with working with adolescents, or experience in research on adolescents is an advantage.
  • Fluency in a Scandinavian language is an advantage.
  • High ambitions and independency.

We offer

  • A salary of NOK 532 200 - 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017).
  • 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

  • A well written motivation letter relating to your interests and qualifications in the position (maximum 1 page).
  • Complete CV.
  • Copies of academic diplomas and certificates, diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in a Scandinavian language or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
  • Copies of any publications that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee.
  • Names and contact details for two references, one of them the supervisor on master thesis.

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 a Scandinavian language or English.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, 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.

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.

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

All e-mails must have the term “TRACE” included in the subject line or text.