Job description

The Information Systems group at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, is a thriving research and innovation environment, considered as a leading Information Systems (IS) and ICT for Development (ICT4D) research group on a world scale. We are the core developers of the DHIS2 software, the world's largest health management information system (HMIS) platform, in use by 73 low and middle-income countries. We are also the WHO Collaborating Centre for Innovation and Implementation Research for Health Information Systems Strengthening. We have strong ties to international partners in public health in developing countries, including universities, ministries of health, policy makers, donors and NGOs. Faculty and students in the group engage in health information systems strengthening globally, making a significant contribution to the functioning of health services, ultimately improving people’s health and wellbeing. The successful candidate could expect a future career in the health sector or academia. Our PhD alumni hold positions in academia globally as well as ministries of health and international organizations.

The Department of Informatics, as well as the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of which it is part, has a strategic ambition informed by its position as a leading research faculty on a global scale. Publication of research results in top discipline journals, and dissemination of research through conferencing and active participation in the IS academic community, as well as in dedicated ICT4D symposia, is at the core of the Department’s work. We will select candidates for the fellowships presented below in accordance with this.

Position 1: PhD Research Fellowship in Logistics Management Information Systems in Resource Constrained Environments

Job description

A PhD research fellowship in Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) in Resource Constrained Environments is available in the Information Systems group at the Department of Informatics and the University of Oslo.

Depending on the candidate and the teaching needs of the department, the fellowship period will be for either 3 years (fully devoted to research and research training) or 4 years (with a compulsory work load of 25% consisting of e.g. teaching and supervision duties and research assistance).

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date to be agreed upon with Department of Informatics.

About the position

In the health sector, the acquisition and distribution of health care products like medicines, vaccines, equipment and single use medical devices is essential. A failure to have the adequate supplies at the right place to the right time decrease the efficiency of the health system, and can be life threatening in a worst case. Simultaneously, too much supply is costly and large amounts of essential medicines are discarded each year due to them expiring.

A Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) is an information system dedicated to ensure the availability and efficient distribution of such commodities. There are several models for how products are distributed, but in essence an LMIS bridge the informational gaps between health workers and various levels of commodity acquisition and storage. Moreover, an LMIS is part of an ecosystem of related information systems, such as patient records, health information management systems, and health finance information systems. Integration and data sharing with this wider ecosystem is important.

In resource poor contexts, such as many countries in the global south, LMIS continues to be fraught with challenges. The economic, social, and political environment calls for new approaches to sustainable, resilient, and appropriate use of information technologies. The Health Information Systems Programme, HISP, which this research will be aligned with, has for over two decades worked to improve health management information systems using the open source DHIS2 software platform. The research fellowship will explore how LMIS can be strengthened in a sustainable way, learning from the HISP experiences, and how efforts to improve LMIS can be integrated with a wider health information system strengthening process.

The expected theoretical and practical contributions will thus be related to the both LMIS and its intersection with other information systems. Theoretically, the research group is especially interested in digital platforms and their ecosystems, innovation, and digital public goods. It is expected that the successful candidate take an active part in implementation activities around DHIS2 and LMIS, with partners such as ministries of health, universities, and global actors.

Position 2: PhD Research Fellowship in Digital Innovation Platforms and Emergency Management

Job description

A PhD research fellowship in Digital Innovation Platforms and Emergency Management is available in the Information Systems group at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo.

Depending on the candidate and the teaching needs of the department, the fellowship period will be for either 3 years (fully devoted to research and research training) or 4 years (with a compulsory work load of 25% consisting of e.g. teaching and supervision duties and research assistance).

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date to be agreed upon with Department of Informatics.

About the position

Beyond their commercial use, digital innovation platforms are being increasingly framed as relevant in the pursuit of socio-economic development goals. Yet, limited knowledge is available on the role of digital innovation platforms within concerted efforts of emergency management. This project will include empirical research on DHIS2, the world's largest health management information system (HMIS) platform, as it engages the COVID-19 emergency with a digital data package operated by health managers in multiple developing countries. By doing so, the project will include the development of theory on the role of digital innovation platforms in emergency management, contributing to augment recent literature on the development-related roles of such platforms. The research fellow will be a part of the Health Information Systems Programme (HISP), and will be expected to take an active role in the DHIS2 design lab.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• Experience with qualitative research methods is an essential requirement. More at large, the candidate is expected to have experience with theoretical and methodological approaches in the wider research field of IS.
• Existing knowledge and experience of health information systems is an asset.
• All Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate high English language skills.
• Mastery of additional languages widely used, such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, is an asset.

For position 1, existing knowledge and experience in logistics management is desirable. For position 2, experience in emergency management involving information and communication technologies is an asset. Experience with project management and IS implementation activities is an asset for both positions.

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
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries

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:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

We offer

• Salary NOK 482 200 – 526 000 per annum 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

We will only consider applications that include:

• Cover letter explaining your fit for the position. This should include a statement on which of the two positions you apply for. It is possible to apply for both, but then indicate which position you give priority to
• A brief (1-2 pages) statement of motivation and research interests related to this position
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcripts of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• 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 (or a Scandinavian language).

Applicants may be called in for an interview.

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 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 any questions related to the two positions, please contact

• Associate Professor Johan Ivar Sæbø, johansa@ifi.uio.no, phone +47 46413188 (Position 1)
• Associate Professor Silvia Masiero, silvima@ifi.uio.no +47 94713041. (Position 2)

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen, phone:+47 22854272,e-mail:t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no

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