Job description

Applications are invited for one researcher for 2 years at the Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo.

We are looking for a statistician, computational scientist, biostatistician or data scientist, who will develop new computational statistical methodology to transform drug development by exploiting the rich longitudinal multi-type Nordic health data. This project will focus on (i) methods and algorithms for the construction and analysis of external synthetic control arms to clinical studies and (ii) for the discovery of signals in health data and large registries to study the safety and the repurposing potential for existing drugs. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is run in collaboration with NordicRWE, a dedicated Norwegian Real-world evidence start-up company in Oslo. In collaboration, we aim to provide crucial insight in selected disease areas and drug classes and give evidence that accelerate development, approvals and access to medicines. The candidate is expected to publish methodological and/or applied papers in high impact peer-reviewed scientific journals, and to present results at scientific conferences.

More about the position

The Oslo candidate will be employed at OCBE.

OCBE has eight professors, five associate professors, fifteen researchers, many post-doctoral fellows and PhD students, making up a group of about 80 scientists. OCBE is internationally recognized, with interests spanning a broad range of areas (including time-to-event models, data integration, causal inference, statistical genomics, Bayesian inference, stochastic simulation algorithms, probabilistic graphical models, machine learning, evolution and population genetics, informative missingness and measurement error models, epidemiological studies of lifestyle and chronic diseases, stochastic models for infectious diseases, high dimensional data and models) and numerous collaborations with leading biomedical research groups internationally and in Norway.

In the last national research evaluation, OCBE was judged as excellent by an international committee. OCBE has a leading role in the centre of excellence for research-based innovation BigInsight, a consortium of academic, industrial and public partners, with a funding of about 4 mil Euro annually until 2023. Furthermore, OCBE hosts the ERC Advanced Grant of Professor Corander (Scalable inference algorithms for Bayesian evolutionary epidemiology) and several further important projects in the areas of digital life sciences, systems medicine, statistical methods for biobank, health survey and registry data, causal inference and mathematical oncology. Professor Arnoldo Frigessi will supervise the researcher.

Qualification requirements

• PhD in statistics, biostatistics, data science, computer science, mathematics or epidemiology, with a documented competence in statistics, or computational statistics or scientific programming
• Documented high level programming skills in R, Python, C, C++, matlab or equivalent computer languages are necessary
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Personal skills

• The candidate is highly motivated to perform her/his research in the project
• The candidate is used to work in a team and has excellent communication skills
• The candidate shows the ability to work independently and efficiently

We offer

• Salary is NOK 534.400 - 650.300 per annum depending on qualifications as a researcher, (position code SKO 1109)
• A unique project, with multiple opportunities to develop research themes at the forefront of modern biostatistics and pharmacoepidemiology
• A friendly, professional and stimulating international working environment
• Access to a network of top level national and international collaborators
• Full health insurance and very attractive welfare benefits of the Norwegian state
• A generous pension agreement
• Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

Starting date is as soon as possible.

How to apply

The application must include

• A personal cover letter, stating motivations for this position and research interests
• A CV with full education, positions, academic experiences, details on PhD thesis, detailed computational skills and a list of publications
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link: “Apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English, German, Italian, or a Scandinavian language. Shortlisted applicants can be called in for an interview in person or by videolink.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships 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 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

• Professor: Arnoldo Frigessi, +47 95735574, e-mail:frigessi@medisin.uio.no

Apply for this job