About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Information Systems is available at the Department of Informatics at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than October 1, 2024.

The fellowship period is for three (3) years.

An extension of the appointment by up to twelve months may be considered, which will be devoted to career-enhancing compulsory work duties, e.g. teaching or supervision. This will be dependent on the qualifications of the applicant and the specific teaching needs of the department.

Job description

The position is devoted to carrying out research on climate health data and its role in supporting decisions for a various user groups. Within this broad topic, data integration, data storing and processing, and data visualization will be important. Spatial data models are natural starting points, and research on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is expected to be central.

Empirically, the research will be based in concrete activities of the HISP Centre, University of Oslo, and processes to adapt the open source software DHIS2 to support climate health information needs globally. For more information about the climate health project at the HISP Centre, consult here.

The candidate for the position will:

• Apply qualitative data collection and analysis methods within an Action Research approach
• Take an active role in ongoing HISP activities pertaining to climate health. This includes contributing to both development and implementation of new software functionalities
• Take a socio-technical perspective and engage with relevant theories to develop new insights into the confluence of climate health, technology, and organization

In this context, the candidate will, in cooperation with the supervisor, define a focused research project.

The candidates’ workplace will be in the Information Systems Research Group at the Department of Informatics. The candidate is expected to be an active member of the group and participate in its core activities at the HISP Centre. This allows the candidate to build on the group’s close relationship with HISP, a global network supporting and researching digital health, education management, and climate health. 

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Required qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant discipline, for example within Information Systems and Informatics. Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Documented background in qualitative methodologies, including data collection methods, analytical approaches, and theory-informed interpretive research.
• Documented experience with spatial data models and Geographical Information Systems.
• Experiences in research or field work in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) contexts.
• Documented experience with development and/or implementation activities related to the DHIS2 software or similar 

Desired qualifications:

• Strong interest in engaging with relevant disciplines and themes to approach climate health challenges, such as AI, predictive modeling, and global health.

Candidates without a master’s degree have until 30 June 2024 to complete the final exam.

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. 

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position.

For more information see here.

Personal skills

• You are driven by an interest to make the world a better place with ICTs, with an emphasis on empowering relevant actors in LMICs to counter their own challenges in relation to health and climate change.
• You are flexible and pragmatic in seeking solutions in a dynamic environment such as international research and development collaboration

We offer

• Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400 per year depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement 
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone 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 or a Scandinavian language.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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.

UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

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

For further information please contact:

• Associate Professor Johan Ivar Sæbø, phone: +47 228 40 895, e-mail: johansa@ifi.uio.no

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Therese Ringvold, email: therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no

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