PhD candidate in musculoskeletal disorders and women’s health

Are you motivated to take the step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? 

The PhD candidate will be affiliated with the project Musculoskeletal Health in Menopause Transition. The project is funded by the Norwegian Women’s Health Association, and the goal of the project is to investigate the significance of menopause on musculoskeletal health and work participation over time, and how this is affected by hormone therapy. 

Knowledge about menopause and musculoskeletal disorders is mentioned as a high priority research area in the report from the Women’s Health Committee and in the ‘National Health and Coordination Plan 2024-2027’. The project is an epidemiological study, and by using population-based data from the Trøndelag Health Survey (HUNT) and national health registers, we have a unique opportunity to investigate the significance of menopause for women’s incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, how this is related to the use of hormone therapy, and the significance for work participation. With the increasing need for a sustainable health and care service, it is essential to increase knowledge about how to keep women in the workforce and prevent them from dropping out early due to health problems related to menopause. The project has an interdisciplinary profile and the fellow will be part of the research groups Work and Health ( www.ntnu.no/ism/forskning/arbeid-helse ) and Muscle and Skeletal Disorders ( www.ntnu.no/ism/muskel-skjelett ). For the project, we are looking for a candidate with a strong interest in the research field.

We are looking for a candidate who has an interest in topics related to the project, such as musculoskeletal health and work participation. Experience working with epidemiological studies and/or large datasets would be an advantage, but not a requirement.

Job duties for the candidate:

• Complete the doctoral education until the doctorate is obtained
• Plan and conduct epidemiological studies and prepare scientific manuscripts
• Complete the mandatory PhD education program
• Presenting work at national and international conferences
• Collaboration with other projects related to the research group, and participation in interdisciplinary teams within women’s health 

The main goal of the position as a research fellow is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with an academic background in epidemiology, statistics, medicine, health sciences or equivalent.

You must have an average grade from your master’s degree or equivalent education that is equal to B or better compared to NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from your previous studies, you must have an equally good academic background. If you have a weaker background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.

Requirements for background and competence

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field with a weighted average of B or better.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Scandinavian
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program ( https://www.ntnu.no/studier/phmedhv ).

NOTE: For detailed information on what the application should contain, see the section “About the application”. 

As a result of the new Higher Education Act and associated regulations of 01.08.2024, NTNU has chosen to use the employment conditions in the old  regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on employment conditions for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, research assistant and specialist candidate during a transitional period ( for decisions on appointments in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025).

• Professional knowledge and experience within topics related to the project (for example, musculoskeletal health, women’s health, mental health, sleep, work)
• Experience from epidemiological studies, analysis of large data sets and various statistical programs

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Take initiative and have the ability to work systematically and independently.
• Demonstrate good analytical skills and consider different perspectives
• Be good at communicating and collaborating across professional boundaries
• Interest in the field
• Good ability to communicate and collaborate in teams and across disciplines

Great emphasis will be placed on motivation and personal suitability for the position. Eligible candidates will be invited for an interview.

When assessing the best qualified candidate, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience, and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

• An exciting job with an important  social mission
• Open and  inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Sponsorship scheme for new employees at NTNU
• Training during working hours and  company sports teams
• Favorable conditions in  the Government Pension Fund

You will be employed as a research fellow at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and perks.

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity of society and that uses the potential of the population’s collective competencies. Our vision is “Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful”. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender balanced is crucial for us to achieve our goals together. 

We want employees with different competencies, subject combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better task solving of our societal mission in research and education. 

If you find this position relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time. 

We especially encourage men to apply for the position.

In the position of research fellow code 1017, your salary will normally be gross NOK 536,200 per year depending on qualifications and seniority. A statutory 2% contribution to the Norwegian State Pension Fund will be deducted from your salary. 

The employment period is 3 years in a 100% position. 

For employment as a research fellow, it is a prerequisite that you are admitted to the PhD program in medicine and health sciences ( https://www.ntnu.no/studier/phmedhv ) within three months of commencement, and that you participate in an organized doctoral study program within the employment period.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you stay up to date on academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For necessary interaction academically and socially, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The application and attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these will be used as the basis for the assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/Scandinavian or English. 

Please note that your application will only be assessed based on the information we have at the application deadline. Therefore, please ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be submitted electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request. 

The application must contain

• CV, possibly certificates and diplomas for master’s degree
• Copy of master’s thesis. If you have recently submitted your master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Any publications or other relevant research work
• Names and contact information of three relevant references

If all or part of your education was taken abroad, we ask you to also attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor’s and master’s education, in addition to any other higher education. If your institution offers a “diploma supplement” (common for most European educational institutions), please attach this. A description of other documentation that is required can be found  here . If you have a statement from  HK-dir , it is a good idea if you attach it as well.

We take into account work you have done together with others. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to the joint work, you must attach a brief account of your participation.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed ourselves  to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and the commitments in  CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a wider range of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU’s social mission).

The appointment will be carried out in accordance with the principles of  the Government Employees Act , and  legislation regulating the export of knowledge, technology and services . Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are deemed to conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

Start-up by appointment.

A public applicant list with name, age, job title and municipality of residence will be prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to reserve yourself from being included on the public applicant list, you must provide reasons for this. Assessment will be made in accordance with  applicable legislation . You will be notified if your reservation is not accepted.

If you have any professional questions about the position, please contact Anne Lovise Nordstoga, tel. 99268260, e-mail  anne.l.nordstoga@ntnu.no .

If you have any questions about the hiring process, please contact HR consultant Komel Afridi, komel.afridi@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 11.03.2025