Job description

Applications are invited for a full-time three-year Postdoctoral position in Public Health, with a focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health, to be based at the Institute of Health and Society’s Department of Community Medicine and Global Health. The postdoctoral position is part of a Norwegian Research Council-financed project titled “Covid-19 and the Kenyan Health System”.

The successful candidate will conduct research within the inter-disciplinary project, “Covid19 and the Kenya Health System”. The candidate will thus be part of an inter-disciplinary research team, working with anthropologists, epidemiologists, public health researchers and historians on Kenya’s experience of and response to Covid-19, in the context of other current health and health system challenges. The candidate will be expected to develop and conduct independent research within the larger project, focusing on sexual and reproductive health. The candidate will also be expected to collaborate with research conducted by other project team members and participate in project activities, including some administrative tasks. Experience of qualitative research is necessary.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to three years (10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).

The purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Please contact Associate Professor Ruth Jane Prince r.j.prince@medisin.uio.no (University of Oslo) if you wish to receive the project proposal.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a PhD degree, preferably in public health. The PhD thesis must have been defended by the time of application.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
• Experience in conducting qualitative research is necessary.
• Experience of conducting ethnographic research in East Africa and on health systems will be an advantage.

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

Personal skills

• to be highly motivated
• to be able to work independently and as part of a team
• have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• have the ability to work with a diverse range of individuals and organizations
• to conduct independent research.

We offer

• salary NOK 534 400 - 615 800 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• funds for research, conference participation and dissemination
• academically stimulating working environment including the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment
• 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, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, teaching and administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (bachelor and masters (academic transcripts only)) and PhD
• A complete list of publications
• A short Project Description including progress plan (max 3-4 pages, excluding bibliography)
• Examples of 2 written works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee.
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, institution, e-mail, telephone number and relation to candidate)

The application with attachments must be delivered to our electronic recruiting system. International 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented qualifications, previous experience as well as the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged, either in person in Oslo or via Zoom or Skype.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow 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.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

• Associate Professor Ruth Jane Prince, E-mail r.j.prince@medisin.uio.no
• Practical information regarding the application process: HR Advisor Pia Kristina den Boer, E-mail: p.k.d.boer@medisin.uio.no

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