PhD candidate in Musculoskeletal health and mental health

The Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, has a vacancy for a fixed–term post as a research fellow in Musculoskeletal Health and Mental Health. The fixed-term position has a duration of three years and the desired starting date is 1 January 2025.

Area of work

The PhD candidate will be employed at the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology at the Faculty of Health Sciences and will be affiliated with the Centre for Intelligent Musculoskeletal Health (CIM) and the Musculoskeletal Health research group. The primary focus of researchers affiliated with CIM is musculoskeletal health adopting a life-course perspective, encompassing adolescents, young adults, adults and the elderly. The PhD candidate will be expected to collaborate with researchers at CIM, other research partners at OsloMet and national and international partners.

The PAINMENT PhD project aims to examine how adverse life events reported in adolescence affect subsequent use of health care services due to musculoskeletal disorders and mental health issues among girls and boys. Furthermore, the projects aims to explore whether potential “buffer factors” such as resilience and social capital reduce future use of health services among adolescents who have experienced adverse life events. By combining data from the youth cohorts Young-HUNT1 and Young-HUNT3 with data from national health registries, the project aims to provide insight into long-term developments in the use of health services before 2021.

As a PhD candidate at OsloMet, you will have the opportunity to apply for a grant for an extended research stay abroad.

Qualification requirements and conditions

• master’s degree or equivalent (120 credits/ETC or equivalent) in health sciences, social sciences or other relevant fields of study
• experience using quantitative methods and epidemiological analyses
• expertise in musculoskeletal disorders and mental health issues
• good written and spoken English
• admission to the doctoral programme in health science is a prerequisite for the post. In order to gain admission to PhD programmes at the Faculty of Health Science, applicants must have achieved a grade of B or better in their master’s thesis/second degree level subject and an average grade corresponding to B or better in the master’s degree. In exceptional cases, applicants with a grade of C may be considered. In such cases, relevant experience from own research projects and/or scientific publications will be emphasised. Please see information about the criteria on the admissions website
• the final plan for organised research training must be approved and agreed no later than three months after taking up the post

The general criteria for appointment as a PhD candidate can be found in the regulations (Regulations relating to employment terms for posts such as postdoctoral fellow, PhD candidate, scientific assistant and specialist candidate - Lovdata).

It would be advantageous for applicants to have

• experience from managing and analysing registry data
• relevant clinical experience from the health care services

Personal characteristics

• motivated to carry out research within the field of musculoskeletal health and mental health
• excellent implementation skills
• ability to work systematically and independently and as part of a team
• good analytical skills
• good creative skills and iinnovation skills

Personal suitability will be emphasised.

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population in the region and we would like to invite all qualified applicants to apply. We are working actively to further develop as an inclusive workplace and will adapt the workplace as required. We also welcome applications from those who have had periods in which they were not in employment, education or training.

What we offer

• an exciting educational post at Norway’s third-largest university
• access to further professional development in a creative academic and research environment
• a developing workplace
• excellent borrowing and pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• excellent welfare schemes

The post is remunerated in accordance with the Norwegian State Salary Scale and OsloMet’s salary policy under code 1017 as a PhD candidate, salary grade 54, which corresponds to a starting salary of NOK 532,200 per annum.

The application process

If you would like to apply for the post, you need to submit an application electronically using the “apply for the position” button.

You must upload the following documents before the application deadline expires:

• application, CV and copies of all pages of degree transcripts and diplomas
• education from abroad should be approved in advance and the approval letter should be enclosed. See more information on the HKDIR website
• second degree thesis/master’s thesis
• any scientific works or links to full articles
• list of any publications or presentations at international seminars/conferences

We only process applications submitted via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded in order for your application to be processed. Documents must be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language. Any translations must be notarised. Original versions must be presented if you are invited to attend an interview. OsloMet will carry out document control to ensure that candidates are subject to a proper evaluation and fair competition. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Background checks may be carried out in order to verify information provided in the CV and submitted documents. Background checks will not be carried out without the applicant’s consent and relevant applicants will receive further information about the process.

An appointment will be made based on the principles set out in the Norwegian Civil Servants Act (lovdata.no), as well as legislation governing the export of knowledge, technology and services. Background checks may be carried out in order to verify information provided in the CV and submitted documents. Background checks will not be carried out without the applicant’s consent and relevant applicants will receive further information about the process.

OsloMet has endorsed the principles set out in the DORA Declaration and the institution is committed to adhering to the recommendations therein.

Further information

If you would like further information about the position, please contact:

• head of department Ingrid Eitze, email: ingrid.eitzen@oslomet.no, phone: +47 907 09 96
• pro-Rector of Education: Kåre Rønn Richardsen, email kare-ronn.richardsen@oslomet.no, phone: +47 672 36 626
• for administrative questions: HR adviser Emma Simensen, email emma.simensen@oslomet.no, phone: +47 672 35 199

Application deadline: 18 August 2024

Ref:  24/15770