Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Section for Health-, Developmental- and Personality Psychology

Job description

1-2 PhD fellowships are available at the PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. PROMENTA is a newly established interdisciplinary research center at the Department of Psychology aiming to provide answers to three central questions in mental health, well-being, and drug use research: What processes lead to poor and good mental health, and how? How do social and geographic inequalities in mental health arise? How can we develop, tailor, and evaluate effective interventions in communities to promote good mental health? To address these questions, we examine sources of mental health on a variety of levels, such as genetic risk, neurocognitive development, the psychosocial environment, and the socio-cultural and political context. For more information about PROMENTA, please visit www.promenta.no.

More about the position

The 1-2 PhD positions are funded through two grants from the Research Council of Norway for the projects Pathways into Marginalization. A 28-Year Longitudinal Study from Adolescence to Middle Adulthood and The Social Gradient in Mental Health. A Long-Term Longitudinal Study Integrating Survey Data, Register Data, and Molecular Genetic Data.

Project 1 – Pathways into MarginalizationThe PhD fellow will collaborate with colleagues at PROMENTA to provide novel knowledge on pathways into social problems in multiple domains, such as education and work; family, fertility, and social networks; and well-being and mental health. The project will examine (a) how complex marginalization processes in several domains unfold over a formative period in life, from adolescence into middle adulthood; (b) how such processes explain reproduction of marginalization from one generation to the next; and (c) how marginalization in multiple domains influence socio-political attitudes and values. The project utilizes data from a large-scale longitudinal study, spanning from adolescence over 28 years and which combines survey, register, and molecular genetic data. Other data sources may also be used.

Project 2 – The Social Gradient in Mental HealthThe PhD fellow will collaborate with colleagues at PROMENTA to examine social gradients of a wide range of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, eating disturbances, conduct problems, alcohol use, smoking, and illicit drug use. The project will examine (a) how social gradients in mental health develop from adolescence into middle adulthood; (b) how polygenic risk for mental health problems is related to social marginalization; (c) how socio-economic status and social marginalization interact with genetic risk in predicting mental health problems, and (d) how social gradients vary according to societal contexts. The project utilizes data from a large scale, longitudinal study spanning from adolescence over 28 years and which combines survey, register, and molecular genetic data (N=2,600). Moreover, two other large-scale representative samples of Norwegian adolescents will be used.

For more information about the positions and projects and for detailed project descriptions, please contact Prof. Tilmann von Soest (email: t.v.soest@psykologi.uio.no, phone: +47-99782078).

For both projects

The fellowship is for a period of three years. A fourth year can be considered with the addition of a 25 % teaching requirement, depending on the competence of the applicant and the needs of the department.

The research fellow must take part in the University’s/ Faculty’s/ Department’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must have submitted their master’s or equivalent thesis in relevant fields such as psychology, sociology, medicine, or related. The diploma must be forwarded as soon as it is received.
• Strong skills in quantitative analysis.
• Long-term potential for high-quality research.
• Excellent English skills, spoken and in writing are required.
• Ambitions for high-quality research within the project, as evidenced by the required letter of application, explaining the motivation for applying and how own qualifications are suitable for the announced position. Please specify which project you are most interested in, or if you do not have a preference.

The following are considered advantageous:

• Experience with longitudinal data analysis, multilevel analysis, genetically informed studies, or structural equation modelling.
• Experience with research in the fields of mental health, social marginalization, or developmental psychology.

Personal skills

In assessing applications, particular emphasis will be placed upon the quality of the candidate’s academic qualifications. Interviews with selected candidates will be arranged where the applicants’ personal suitability, motivation and cooperation skills will be emphasized.

We offer

• Salary grade NOK 479 600 - 523 200 per year, depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
• A professionally stimulating work environment in a newly established research center at the Department of Psychology
• Opportunities for extensive collaboration with our national and international collaborators
• Favorable pension and social welfare benefits
• Attractive welfare arrangements

How to apply

The application must include

• Letter of application, max. 3 pages, explaining the motivation for applying and how own qualifications match the announced PhD position.

• CV summarizing education, employment history, and a list of publications (if applicable).

• Copies of educational certificates

• Copies of publications/academic work (if any) that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee

• Names and contact details of at least two references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and telephone number).

International applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. All documents should be in Scandinavian or English.

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).

Formal regulations

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

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship 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 appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Contact information

• Prof. Tilmann von Soest, phone: +47-99782078, email: t.v.soest@psykologi.uio.no
• Head of office Joakim Dyrnes, e-mail: joakim.dyrnes@psykologi.uio.no

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