PhD Fellowship position in Internet of Things based health services for children with rare musculoskeletal diseases

The department of Product Design, at the Faculty of Technology, Arts, and Design, has a vacant position as a PhD fellow in Internet of Things based health services for children with rare musculoskeletal diseases. The PhD fellow will be a part of the research group Design for Health. 

Area of research

Rare skeletal disorders diagnosed in early childhood, can cause complications that significantly impact quality of life. This PhD project aims to address these challenges by understanding the needs of affected children and families and evaluating digital solutions for personalized support. In collaboration with Norwegian hospitals and user organizations, the project focuses on developing evidence-based digital home therapies to overcome barriers such as geographical distance and limited access to care. By exploring IoT and smart home technologies, the project aims to create innovative solutions that enhance pain management and quality of life through inclusive design and co-creation.

This research field focuses on healthcare technology, inclusive design, and home rehabilitation for children and young people with rare musculoskeletal diseases. The goal is to improve their quality of life through innovative digital solutions. 

The research enhances home rehabilitation through technology, promotes inclusive design, and develops scalable solutions for rare skeletal diseases. The research area includes qualitative user research, design science, and prototype testing.

Qualification requirements and conditions

• Master's degree within design, IT engineering, biomedical engineering, health sciences, health technology, or other equivalent related disciplines. The degree must contain 120 credits (ECTS). All exams for the master's degree must be completed by 30 June 2025.
• An academic profile that suits the research group's and the department’s needs.
• Good communication skills in English, oral and written.

The following grade requirements are a condition for employment in the position:

• Minimum average grade B on subjects included in the master's degree.
• Minimum grade B on the master's thesis.

Admission to the doctoral program Innovation for sustainability at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design within three months of employment is a prerequisite for the position. If you already have a doctorate in a related field, you will not qualify for the position.

In assessing the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the department's overall needs and the applicant's potential for research within the field.

General criteria for appointment to recruitment positions are set out in the Regulations relating to terms and conditions of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, research assistant and specialist candidate (FOR-2006-01-31-102), cf. transitional rules described in Section 13.2 of the Regulations relating to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

Preferred selection criteria

• Solution oriented attitude 
• Communicative and able to collaborate effectively with others
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to organize tasks independently
• Openness to learning new practical skills

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunities for professional development
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (spk.no/en/)
• Beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers
• Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners/spouses

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway.

Application

To be considered for the position, you must upload the following documents by the application deadline:

• Application letter describing your motivation and how your professional profile is relevant for this position.
• Copies of diplomas and transcripts for bachelor's and master's degrees (which list subjects and grades) and certificates. Please note that a description of the grading system at the university/country where you took your degree must be attached. This must be an official document from your university. Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the university that issued the diploma.
  
  • o   Your master's degree must be completed at the time of application. If you have not received a diploma before the application deadline, you must attach a preliminary transcript in English or a Scandinavian language from your university by the application deadline, in addition to an official confirmation from the educational institution that all examinations for the master's degree, including the master's thesis, have been completed. Official diploma and transcript must be forwarded by the joining date.
• Name and contact information of two references (name, relationship, e-mail and telephone number).
• Scientific work that you want to be assessed.
• Applicants from countries where English is not a first language must submit the result of an official language test. The following applicants are exempt from this language requirement:
  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
  • Applicants who have completed at least one year of study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain or the United States.
  • Applicants who hold an “International Baccalaureate (IB)” diploma.
    
    The following language tests are approved documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). In these tests, you must have achieved at least the following scores:
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5, where none of the sections should have a lower score than 5.5 (only the Academic IELTS test is accepted).

Official diploma and transcript must be submitted before taking up the position, no later than 01.10.2025. If your educational institution is not able to deliver an official diploma by the deadline, you must submit documentation from the institution that confirms that your master´s degree is completed by the same deadline.

We only process applications sent via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded wihtin the deadlines stated in the announcement text for your application to be processed. The documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized. You must present originals at any interview. OsloMet checks documents, so that you as a candidate will get a real evaluation and fair competition.

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Head of the Department Einar Stoltenberg, einar.stoltenberg@oslomet.no, +47 91552441
• Associate Professor Nenad Pavel, pnenad@oslomet.no, +47 45270158

The position is paid according to the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, position code 1017 PhD fellow, NOK 532 200 per year.

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact hrtkd@oslomet.no. 

If you would like to apply for the position, you must do so electronically through our recruitment system.

Deadline for applications: 01.05.2025
Ref.: 25/03203