PhD Research Fellow in statistical data analysis in epidemiology and genetic epidemiology

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, has a vacancy for PhD Research Fellow in statistical data analysis in epidemiology and genetic epidemiology

The PhD research fellow will be part of the PhD programme in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Sensor Networks and Engineering Computing (https://www.hvl.no/en/research/phd-programmes/phd-programme-in-computer-science/). The research programme in Computer Science currently includes 20 professors and associate professors, more than 30 PhD and post-doctoral fellows, and a large number of master’s students.

About the PhD project:
 

Approximately 10% of couples suffer from infertility, and the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to become pregnant is increasing worldwide. Children conceived by frozen embryo transfer have a longer pregnancy duration and a higher birth weight compared to children conceived naturally or with other ART techniques. Using high quality data from The Medical Birth Registry of Norway and The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study, this PhD project aims to investigate underlying environmental, biological and genetic mechanisms and to calculate (prenatal) risk estimates for children conceived in frozen cycles. To achieve biological meaningful results, modelling approaches may include the use of time-to-event (survival) analysis to handle the large number of inductions and planned Cesarean sections in modern obstetric care that shifts the pregnancy duration to lower values. Additionally, models that accommodate family structure in data are useful for conducting genetic association studies. Thus, this project opens for a large amount of novel research within statistical data analysis, ranging from genetic epidemiology to statistical methods development. 

Research environment:

The candidate will have a close collaboration with Centre for Fertility and Health (a Norwegian Centre of Excellence) at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Norway and be active in the research group for Reproductive Health and Health Promotion Work in a Life Course Perspective at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. 

In general, the computer science research environment at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences has a strong focus on use-inspired and applied research, and on ICT as an enabling technology. The research environment has cooperation with many national and international research groups, and with national and regional industry partners. The research programme includes the research themes of software engineering, engineering computing, sensor networks and measurement technologies, grid computing and physics data analysis, machine learning, and interactive and collaborative systems. The prospective PhD candidate will work in close cooperation with staff and our current PhD students. 

PhD research fellows receive an annual work expense funding which can be used for conference participation, research visits, and equipment. The place of employment is campus Bergen. 

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in statistics, data analysis, bioinformatics or in a closely related field (a solid background in applied statistics must be documented)
• Documented extensive experience in R (or equivalent programming languages)
• A solid background within one or more of the fields epidemiology, genetics, time-to-event (survival) analysis and registry-based studies will be considered an advantage when candidates are ranked
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English, preferably also a Scandinavian language.

• Analyse data and develop statistical models
• Write and publish scientific papers within the scope of this PhD project
• Communicate research and results at national and international conferences
• Take an active part and contribute to the research environment
• Teaching activities become relevant if the project period is extended to 4 years.

• Analytical and structured 
• Innovative, flexible and results-oriented
• Interested in data science with biological and medical applications
• Must be able to work both individually and collaborate well in interdisciplinary teams.

Candidates who have submitted a master’s thesis (but who has not yet been awarded a master’s degree) may also qualify for the position provided that the master`s degree is awarded within 4 weeks after the application deadline. Candidates already holding a PhD within this field are not eligible for this position.

In addition to the required educational background, the following criteria will be evaluated: competence and grades on completed course work, quality of the master's thesis (excellent grade, equivalent of grade B or better on the ECTS grading system), publications (if any), communication skills, research and teaching experience, practical software engineering skills and experience.

The candidate must be diligent and display the ability to work independently, supplemented with regular guidance, and is expected to carry out high-quality research and to publish the results in national seminars, international workshops, conferences, and journals.

The PhD research fellow must enrol in the PhD programme in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Sensor Networks and Engineering Computing at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, and must meet the formal admission requirements for this PhD programme.

The PhD candidate will be assigned two academic supervisors at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. An application for enrolment should first be submitted after an appointment is made and the supervisor(s) will help with this procedure.  Normally the candidate apply for enrolment within three (3) months after the start of the employment according to Regulations relating to programmes of study and examniations at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences HVL § 2-4. 

Applicants who cannot document proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 upon employment, must complete Norwegian language training equivalent to at least 15 ECTS credits by the end of the term of appointment. For terms shorter than four years, the term can be extended accordingly.

Application procedure:

Applications will be evaluated by an expert panel of three members.

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job” (“Søk stillingen”).

The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:

• Master thesis
• Copies of selected academic publications (no more than 5)
• A CV with a complete list of academic publications
• Diplomas and certificates
• A motivation letter (1-2 pages) in which the candidate explains the motivation for this project.

Applicants should indicate which publications or parts of publications should be given special consideration in the evaluation. If the documents submitted are not in a Scandinavian language or in English, the applicants must submit certified translations of these. The transcripts must specify the topics, the course works, and the grades at the bachelor`s and master`s degree levels. 

Applicants with a degree from a country other than Norway, need to attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcripts of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, in addition to the original documents, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant encloses a recognition document showing that their degree is equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD. You can read more about applying for recognition of foreign higher education here.

The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) offers an automatic recognition document for certain degrees from selected countries. If the applicant’s degree is covered by the automatic recognition, it will be sufficient to attach this document. Read more about automatic recognition here.

As the HK-dir application process may take some time it is recommended to apply to HK-dir as soon as possible. If you have not received a recognition document from HK- dir within the  application deadline, please enclose documentation from HK-dir showing that they have received your application.

Applicants should note that the evaluation will be based on the documentation submitted electronically via Jobbnorge within the submission deadline. The applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the documentation is submitted before the closing date. It is of utmost importance that all publications to be considered in the evaluation are uploaded as an attachment with the application, since these are sent electronically to the expert panel. Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at the college.

Salary:

• Good occupational pension, insurance and loan schemes from The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Exciting academic environment with the possibility of competence enhancement and development
• Opportunities for training within the working hours 

The Research Fellow position is compensated according to position code 1017 Research Fellow.

There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

General information:

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State employees Law in Norway ("Lov om statens ansatte)". Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and gender composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.

Short-listed applicants will be called in for an interview.

Employed on condition that you are granted a work and residence permit (must be considered individually).

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is subjected to The Export Control Regulation. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. 

Inclusion, challenging norms, collaboration