Job description

At the Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, there is a Researcher 80% position available. The Centre runs a series of multidisciplinary studies involving hospital departments in Oslo and several research groups at the University of Oslo. The main goal is to develop tools and knowledge for precision medicine in psychiatry, building on advanced statistical methods for analysis of large-scale human genetic and neuroimaging data, to better understand how biological, psychological, and environmental factors contribute to severe mental and neuropsychiatric disorders, their treatment, and outcomes. The Centre has access to a large database of biomarkers, clinical, and cognitive variables, genotyping and sequencing data, and MRI brain imaging data on patients with neuropsychiatric and severe mental disorders. In addition, we work closely with national population cohorts (MoBa, HUSK, HUNT), and collaborate with Nordic partners to leverage the registry and biobank information across countries, as well as large international consortia, including the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) and the ENIGMA consortium.

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More about the position

The current position is part of the REALMENT project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. Using real-world big data from eHealth, biobanks and national registries integrated with clinical trial data, the project aims at optimizing the treatment of mental disorders through novel precision medicine strategies based on current pharmaceutical options. To contribute to this goal, the Research Fellow hired for the current position will be involved in multivariate data analysis of big data on genotyped population samples with registry data. The research will involve statistical genetics, bioinformatics, and molecular genetics, applying novel biostatistical methods. The goal is to quantitatively characterize pharmacogenetic aspects of psychiatric treatment, using datasets from biobank and genetics studies, and develop precision medicine approaches, with a focus on psychiatric disorders. The Researcher will work in a multidisciplinary team with clinicians as well as with experts in statistics, applied mathematics, big data analysis, and computer science. The fellow will work with the Centre’s datasets, analytical methodology, and computational tools, including state-of-the-art data storage and research infrastructure, hosted at the USIT TSD service.

The goal is to quantitatively characterize pharmacogenetic aspects of psychiatric treatment, using datasets from biobank and genetics studies, and develop precision medicine approaches, with a focus on psychiatric disorders. The Researcher will work in a multidisciplinary team with clinicians as well as with experts in statistics, applied mathematics, big data analysis, and computer science. The fellow will work with the Centre’s datasets, analytical methodology, and computational tools, including state-of-the-art data storage and research infrastructure, hosted at the USIT TSD service.

Qualification requirements

Applicants are required to have a doctoral degree (PhD) in statistical genetics, medicine, pharmacology, molecular genetics, or equivalent. Applicants should have experience with pharmacogenetics and analyses of human genotype data, skills in pharmacokinetics, and expertise in psychopharmacological agents for severe mental illness. A strong command of oral and written English is required. Expertise and experience in clinical psychiatry and clinical psychopharmacology is an advantage. The ideal candidate has expertise in pharmacogenetics, and ability to design the analyses to target relevant clinical questions. It is important with experience with statistical genetics and big data analysis. The candidate should have a genuine interest in new tools for precision medicine in psychiatry.

Background from the health care sector and experience from international multisite research collaborations can also be useful.

Personal suitability and ability to work in multidisciplinary team are requirements.

The position is funded for one year and is available from October 21, 2024.

We offer

• Salary NOK 575 400 – 679 700 per annum depending on qualifications, as Research Fellow (SKO 1109). 
• Favorable pension arrangements
• Attractive welfare arrangements

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter including motivation for applying for the position 
• CV (summarizing education, relevant work experience etc.) 
• Contact details of 2-3 references 

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. Foreign 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).

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

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.

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

• Professor Ole Andreassen, phone +47 99038893, o.a.andreassen@medisin.uio.no

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