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Postdoctoral Fellowship - "Longitudinal Neurocognitive Developmental Processes and Mental Health"

Deadline: 28.02.2020

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

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.


The Department of Psychology is one of seven units of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and has 75 permanent and 70 temporary members of scientific staff. Degrees are offered at bachelor and master level, plus a clinical training programme, and the PhD programme has 140 students.

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Job description

A Postdoctoral Fellowship is 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. The center is financed by the Research Council of Norway and contributions from the Department of Psychology, the Department of Sociology and Human Geography, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and other participating partners. For more information about PROMENTA, please visit www.promenta.no.

More about the position

The Postdoctoral Fellow will work closely together with other members of PROMENTA to examine longitudinal neurocognitive developmental processes from childhood to adulthood and their relevance for mental health in a broad perspective. For this purpose, several longitudinal neuroimaging datasets will be used. The main focus will be on structural MRI, but we also work with DTI, fMRI and EEG. By using longitudinal modelling approaches in the frameworks of mixed-effects models and structural equation modelling, the project will aim at

(1) delineating individual differences in brain developmental trajectories;

(2) provide insight into how such trajectories relate to differences and development of mental health, adjustment and well-being; and

(3) examining socioeconomic and sex differences in neurocognitive development and mental health.

The main tasks for the successful applicant will be to analyze neuroimaging data, perform longitudinal statistical modelling and disseminate results.

We recommend potential applicants to contact project leader Assoc. Prof. Christian K. Tamnes (c.k.tamnes@psykologi.uio.no) for further information about the project.

The fellowship is for a period of three years. A 4th year can be considered with the addition of 25 % teaching requirement, depending on the competence of the applicant and the needs of the department. The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

  • A PhD degree or similar in relevant fields such as psychology, cognitive neuroscience, medicine, or related.
  • Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
  • An innovative, active and strong research profile with documented potential for performing high quality research.
  • Research experience in the fields of developmental psychology, neuroimaging and/or mental health.
  • Experience with neuroimaging analysis (FreeSurfer, FSL or similar) is a clear advantage
  • Experience with programming languages such as R or Matlab is an advantage
  • Experience with longitudinal data analysis (e.g. mixed-effects models or structural equation modelling) will constitute a clear advantage.
  • Interest in performing and promoting Open Science practices will be regarded as a strength.
  • Teaching experience is an advantage.
  • Excellent English skills, orally and in writing are required.
  • Personal suitability, motivation and willingness to collaborate with academics from various backgrounds.

We offer

  • Salary NOK 523 200 - 583 900 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
  • A professionally stimulating working environment in a newly established research center at the Department of Psychology
  • Opportunities for extensive collaboration with our network of international collaborators
  • Favorable pension and agreement
  • 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 are suitable for the announced postdoc position.
  • Curriculum vitae summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity including grants etc.
  • Publication list (including preprints). Publications should not be submitted along with the initial application.
  • Copies of educational certificates
  • List of 2-3 references (name, relation to applicant, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in 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, academic qualifications, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

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.

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

  • Associate Professor Christian K. Tamnes, e-mail: c.k.tamnes@psykologi.uio.no
  • Head of Office Joakim Dyrnes, e-mail: joakim.dyrnes@psykologi.uio.no

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