Institute of Health and Society, Centre for Medical Ethics

Job description

A 2-year full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the ethics of summary measures of population health to be based at the Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo.

The position forms part of the European Research Council-funded Starting Grant project "Ethics of Mortality Measurement" (ETHME), which will consist of Principal Investigator Carl Tollef Solberg, two postdoctoral research fellows, two associated doctoral candidates, and a research coordinator. In addition, five internationally leading researchers constitute the advisory board of ETHME. ETHME is a theoretical project that investigates the theoretical and normative grounds for measuring deaths and evaluating their disvalue in summary measures of population health, such as the disability-adjusted life year (DALY). The project seeks to develop an "ethics of mortality measurement" that involves deliberation on choices and rationales behind the scope, construction, and applications of mortality measurements. ETHME consists of three work packages: WP1 – Understanding the nature of harm in death, WP2 – Building theoretically robust summary measures and WP3 – Evaluating procreation in future individuals.

The tasks of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be to work on WP3. This work involves research on the theoretical soundness of evaluations of procreation of future individuals. Specifically, the candidate will focus on the theoretical and applied aspects of population ethics related to measures of population health, such as the relationship prenatal nonexistence (of future individuals) and postnatal nonexistence (death), the measurement of value of procreation, and questions such as whether the value of procreation should be considered in cost-utility analysis of in vitro fertilization. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will participate in ETHME’s research group based at a leading research centre on medical ethics.

More about the position

This is a full-time (100 %) research position without additional teaching or administrative duties.

The successful candidate is expected to be based at the Centre for Medical Ethics and contribute to its research environment. The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

The suggested starting date is September 1st, 2024.

Qualification requirements

• PhD or equivalent in philosophy, medical ethics, medicine, or another relevant subject. The doctoral thesis must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• Excellent knowledge of everyday and academic English
• Research experience with normative ethics, especially population ethics, is an advantage
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to conduct original research
• A profound interest in philosophical and ethical problems

The following aspects will be emphasised in the assessment of the applicants:

• The quality of the applicant’s research, their ability to contribute to the project, and the fit between their research and the ETHME project
• The applicant’s personal suitability, collaborative skills, and motivation for participating in an interdisciplinary research group

We offer

• Salary NOK 575 400–657 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• A stimulating working environment at a leading centre of medical ethics
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter with a statement of personal motivation for the position, and a short summary of qualifying experiences and research interest, and reflections upon potential contributions to ETHME (max. 2 A4-pages)
• CV (summarizing educational achievements, positions, teaching experiences, other qualifying activities, and a complete list of publications)
• Submission of up to five publications
• Copies of academic transcripts from Bachelor’s and Master's degrees, and PhD. Applicants with education from a foreign university must attach an explanation of their university's grading system.
• Letters of recommendation
• List of 2–3 references (specifying their relation to candidate, e-mail, and phone number)

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).

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the motivation letter and the applicant's academic and personal prerequisites for carrying out and completing a research project within the specified time frame.

A selection of these short-listed candidates will be called in for interviews and references will be asked for.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow 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 University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For questions regarding content, please contact: 

• Associate Professor Carl Tollef Solberg, e-mail: c.t.solberg@medisin.uio.no

For questions regarding administrative issues, the recruitment system and process, please contact: HR Adviser Helle Fritzsønn, e-mail: helle.fritzsonn@medisin.uio.no.

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