Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, Department of Mechanical, Electronics and Chemical Engineering

Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with almost 22,000 students and over 2,500 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.

The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) offers higher education and research and development (R&D) activities within technical subjects, arts and design. The Faculty has approximately 4.000 students and 400 staff members and is situated at Pilestredet Campus in downtown Oslo and at Kjeller Campus in Viken.


Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) has a vacant position as a PhD fellow associated with research on cognitive training and depression. The position is part of a strong interdisciplinary research environment at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) for brain-informed development of new health technology
 

Research field:

ADvanced hEalth intelligence and brain-insPired Technologies (ADEPT) is an interdisciplinary initiative across faculties and professions at OsloMet. In this project, the group seeks to connect different data sources (symptoms, function, biology and brain data) for the development of new technology for the health services. The position advertised here will focus on brain mechanisms that are believed to be effective in the prevention and treatment of depression in adults.

Using collected data from a previous RCT study on cognitive training in depression, the group has prepared analyzes that will be used as a background for the development of an "intelligent" solution for cognitive training called Attention Bias Modification (ABM). The purpose of the study is to optimize and individualize ABM for maximum positive change of biased attention in depression. The mechanism is the same as is believed to be effective during conventional antidepressant treatment, and ABM may therefore represent a drug-free supplement with high clinical potential. The candidate will be invited to the final design of the project to ensure commitment and competence.

The candidate will collaborate with several of the national leading research communities within brain imaging and cognitive training. The projects are carried out in collaboration with the Department of Psychology (University of Oslo), NORMENT and the University of Oxford. The project is supervised by Associate Professor Rune Jonassen and Professor Peyman Mirtaheri at OsloMet and is part of the project group Intelligent Mental Health under the Research Group Mental Health and ADEPT.

Qualifications and conditions:

  • Master's degree (120 credits/ECTS) or equivalent in cognitive neuroscience, medical technology (biomedical engineering), biostatistics or related disciplines with an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E passing of grades, and bachelor’s degree in the same fields with an average grade of C and higher.
  • Good oral and written presentation skills in English

Admission to the PhD Programme in Engineering Science at OsloMet is a prerequisite for joining the position. To be admitted to the PhD programme, the applicant must have a B or better at the master's degree and C or better at the bachelor's degree. See information about admission requirements.

Applicants with a PhD in the same or similar field cannot apply.

Desired competence and necessary qualities:

  • Knowledge and professional commitment to mental health
  • Experience with fNIRS neuroimaging systems (alternatively EEG or fMRI), data collection and analysis
  • Knowledge of statistics and machine learning analysis and programming skills in Matlab or Python is an advantage.
  • Ability to work independently, result and goal oriented.

Application

OsloMet uses an electronic application portal. In order to be considered for the position you must upload the following documents together with your application within the deadline:

  • Application letter, CV and copies of diplomas/certificate with transcripts of records.
  • Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to include a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree. What is the Diploma Supplement. Education taken abroad should preferably be recognized in advance by NOKUT: Application services – foreign education, and a copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.
  • A letter of motivation where you describe why you apply for this project and what makes you especially suited to accomplish a PhD (500-1000 words).
    Copy of MSc thesis
    Names and contact details of at least 2 references (name, relation to candidate, email, and telephone number).
  • Applicants from countries where English is not the first language must present an official language test report. The following tests qualify as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:
    • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test).
    • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test is accepted).
       

The following applicants are exempt from the above mentioned language requirements:

  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
  • Applicants who have completed one year of university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA.
  • Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.
     

All the documents must be written in English or a Scandinavian language. Documents (for instance diplomas and transcript of grades) issued in a different language than English or one of the Nordic languages, must be translated into one of the Nordic languages or English. Translations must be conducted by a government authorized translator. Originals must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

We offer

  • an exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest university
  • an opportunity for further professional development in a large and inspiring research environment
  • participation in an active research group with regular meetings / seminars and a extensive external network
  • a dynamic workplace
  • beneficial housing loan and pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
  • good employee welfare arrangements

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact:

Associate professor Rune Jonassen (runej@oslomet.no, +47 95857981)

For technical questions, please contact HRTKD@oslomet.no

For questions about the PhD programme, please contact mari.devik@oslomet.no


The salary for the PhD fellowship position is in accordance with the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, PhD fellow and position code 1017. State salary wage scale 54, 482 200 NOK per year.

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway

Type of employment Stipendiat
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Etter avtale
Salary NOK 482 200
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Oslo
County Oslo
Country Norway
Reference number 21/01351
Published 05.Feb.2021
Last application date 05.Mar.2021 11:59 PM CET

Return to job vacancies