Unravelling the role of oxytocin in behavioural flexibility

About the position

Applications are invited for a research coordinator to be based at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. The position is linked to the project titled “Unravelling the role of oxytocin in behavioural flexibility", which is funded by a grant from the Research Council of Norway (Principal Investigator: Daniel Quintana). The position is for a period of 2 years.

Behavioural flexibility, which is the ability to appropriately adjust one’s behaviour in response to a changing environment, is associated with improved quality of life and a higher resilience to stressors. The primary objective of this project is to better understand oxytocin's role in behavioural flexibility by using an approach that combines outcomes from experimental, observational, and longitudinal studies.

More about the position

The project is based in the Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Laboratory (Lab leader: Daniel Quintana), in the Health-, Developmental- and Personality- psychology section at the Department of Psychology. The goal of the Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Laboratory is to better understand the role of the hypothalamus and its hormones in maintaining health and well-being.

Work tasks 

• Coordinating the collection of experimental and physiological data
• Coordinating administrative research processes (e.g., regulatory applications)
• Assisting in data collection
• Coordinating the storage and processing of project data
• Contributing to the write up of results for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Applicants must at least hold a degree equivalent to a MA level degree in psychology, medicine, cognitive neuroscience, or other relevant fields. Candidates who will complete their degree within the starting date will be considered.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English is required. 
• Excellent communication and collaborative skills is required.

Favourable Qualifications

• Previous experience with coordinating research projects is an advantage
• Fluent communication skills in Norwegian is an advantage
• Previous experience with experimental research is an advantage
• Previous experience with open science practices is an advantage
• Previous experience with neuropeptide research (e.g., oxytocin) is an advantage

Personal skills

The following personal skills will be considered beneficial during the evaluation of candidate applications: 

• Ability to work with accuracy and precision
• Good problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and as an integrated member of a team
• Highly motivated 

We offer

• Salary NOK 537 000 – 610 000 per year, - depending on experience and qualifications.
• An ambitious and exciting research environment with a strong multidisciplinary profile and excellent opportunities for academic development.
• Attractive welfare benefits including excellent benefits for families (kindergarten, paid paternal/maternal leave etc.) and a generous pension agreement. In addition, Oslo offers a family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities in its immediate surroundings.
• Starting date: June 2025.

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

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.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

How to apply

The application must include:

• One-page cover letter (summary of motivation and research interests, career plan).
• CV (summarizing education, positions, relevant experience).
• Relevant educational certificates and transcripts of records
• List of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)
• List of publications, if any (including preprints with valid links). Publications should not be submitted along with the initial application.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on academic qualifications, the candidate’s motivation, and personal suitability. Interviews will be performed as part of the selection process.

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian) and Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

Apply for the position

Questions about the position

• Daniel S. Quintana (Professor and PI), daniel.quintana@psykologi.uio.no
• Sandra Arnesen - HR-officer (for questions regarding the electronic recruitment system), sandra.arnesen@psykologi.uio.no