Job description

Applications are invited for a 3 year position in a Research Fellowship as PhD Candidate in biostatistics to be based at the Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo.

This is an opportunity to join one of Europe's most active biostatistics groups at an exciting time. Currently, OCBE includes 10 tenured professors and associate professors, 15 researchers, and several post-doctoral fellows and PhD students, making up a group of about 60 people. OCBE is internationally recognized, with interests spanning a broad range of areas (including time-to-event models, data integration, causal inference, statistical genomics, Bayesian inference, informative missingness and measurement error models, epidemiological studies of lifestyle and chronic diseases, stochastic models for infectious diseases, high dimensional data and models) and numerous collaborations with leading bio-medical research groups nationally and internationally.

More about the position

The post holder will carry out research in statistical methodology related to analysis of high-dimensional genomic data. Specifically, we will work on high-dimensional mixed models with applications in nutritional research and regulation of lipid metabolism.

The research fellow must take part in the Faculty’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 hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Statistics, Mathematics or related field, minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS
• Proven experience in programming
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Personal skills

We are looking for candidates with a strong mathematical / statistical background. Some knowledge of penalized regression methods, e.g. the lasso, is an advantage. As coding of numerical algorithms will be central to the project, special emphasis will be placed on programming experience. We seek a highly motivated and skilled person who is eager to both gain and share insight. The ideal candidate is able to work effectively as part of a team, but also to develop and pursue independent ideas. The project involves both methodological work and applications. Thus, communication with applied researchers becomes important.

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 504 700 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow
• 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 statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications and academic works
• 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).

When evaluating the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, as well as the candidates motivation and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. 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.

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.

Contact information

• Professor Magne Thoresen, tlf +47 22851305, e-mail: Magne Thoresen magne.thoresen@medisin.uio.no

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