Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Elderly Medicine, Innovation and Technology, University of Bergen, Norway, Europe

Last Date: 5th January 2024.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow position

At the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Global Public Health and Primary care, a full-time (100 %) position as postdoctoral research fellow is available for a period of two (2) years. This position is funded by a grant from the Research Council of Norway “Virtual darkness and digital phenotyping in specialized and municipal dementia care: The DARK.DEM randomized controlled trial”. In this project, we will explore if virtual darkness, that is, light without blue wavelengths, can improve treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, such as agitation, anxiety, depression and psychosis. We will conduct a randomized controlled trial at NKS Olaviken gerontopsychiatric hospital, Askøy, in which patients with agitation and dementia will be allocated to either standard treatment or add-on treatment with virtual darkness. We will also utilize data from wearable sensors to evaluate behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Read more about the project here:

DARK.DEM is part of an innovative, active and multidisciplinary research group in elderly medicine at SEFAS, which have several ongoing studies in which sensor data are used to monitor symptoms, intervention effects and disease course in elderly persons and people with dementia. Professor Bettina Husebø is the head of SEFAS, the centre has approximately 15 employees, and a large network both nationally (Neuro-Sys-Med, Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, Bergen municipality, Ageing and Health, VID specialized university) and internationally (Kings College, Yale, MiT and Harvard University). SEFAS is partner Alrek Health Cluster in Årstadveien.

DARK.DEM project group will consist of 2 PhD candidates, 1 post-doc, research nurse and statistician, and we expect that the clinically significant results of this project will be published in international journals with high impact. SEFAS supports long term career development of employees.

About the project/work tasks:

  • The candidate will perform quantitative data analysis in particular using techniques such as signal processing, modeling, dynamic systems and/or artificial intelligence.
  • The candidate will work in an interdisciplinary manner to design new outcome measures for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
  • The candidate will supervise analyses in PhD projects.
  • The candidate will contribute to the conduction of the DARK.DEM trial together with a team of clinicians, PhD students, research nurse and statistician, and as such, it is required that the candidate spends most of their time at campus at Alrek.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

  • The applicant must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree within computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics or other relevant fields or have the doctoral thesis submitted prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded at the latest within 5 months after the closing date for applications.
  • Experience from or formal training within health technology, analysis and processing of large data sets, signal processing or programming will be emphasized (relevant programs include for instance: Matlab, Python, R)
  • Prior experience from elderly care or research is an advantage but is not essential.
  • Proficiency in both written and oral English is a requirement.
  • Good Norwegian language skills are an advantage but are not essential.
  • Work independently and in a structured manner, and have the ability to cooperate with others
  • Personal characteristics that will be emphasized in the consideration of applicants include the ability to work independently in a structured manner, cooperate with others, motivation, sense of responsibility and accountability, work capacity and enthusiasm for research.

In the assessment of candidates, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities

About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:

The position of postdoctoral research fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. You cannot be employed as a postdoctoral fellow for more than one fixed term period at the same institution. The employee may be assigned required duties in the form of teaching and similar work at the department. See regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow etc.

Upon appointment, applicants must submit a project proposal for the qualifying work including a work schedule. For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work will take place in consultation with the project/centre manager. It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.

We can offer:

  • Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
  • Salary NOK 615 700 (code 1352, pay grade 63) in the state salary scale. For applicants with a degree in Medicine or Dentistry, salary NOK 624 500 (code 1352, pay grade 64). For applicants with a medical specialization, salary NOK 646 000 (code 1352, pay grade 66)
  • Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
  • Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

  • A brief account of the applicant`s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
  • Transcripts and diplomas (applicants with education from other countries than Norway must enclose witnessed diplomas in both the original language and authorized translations) and documentation of submitted doctoral thesis
  • Complete list of publications
  • Publications (in PDF) it is important that each of the scholarly works on which the committee should place special emphasis, is attached in its entirety
  • Two references (name and contact information)

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: associate professor Line Iden Berge, email: [email protected], telephone +47 988 57 354

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

Further information about our employment process can be found here.

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