We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to work with longitudinal and multivariate data analyses in the newly established PsychGen Centre for genetic epidemiology, mental health and neurodevelopment, at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) in Oslo.

The successful applicant will be as part of an exciting new empirical project funded by the Research Council of Norway: Neurodevelopmental cascades and resilience in the context of the family environment (CASCADES). Neurodevelopmental conditions are strongly heritable and research over the past decades have debunked harmful theories that parenting was a primary cause of neurodevelopmental conditions. In early childhood, when signs of neurodevelopmental conditions usually appear, the family environment is the child's most important context. Therefore, the family environment could be key to promote wellbeing. A supportive family environment can contribute to better outcomes related to schooling, independence, mental health and life satisfaction. A supportive family environment could be of particular importance during times of particular strain, as for example during the Covid-19 pandemic. The CASCADES project aims to advance understanding of how family factors can support neurodivergent children’s functioning, mental health, and life satisfaction.

The CASCADES project aims to fill important knowledge gaps about how neurodivergent children develop in the context of the family environment, using pioneering and interdisciplinary approaches, along with data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child cohort (MoBa). This world-leading data resource provides unique opportunities for new insights into the origins and course of neurodevelopmental conditions. MoBa includes more than 100,000 children and their families with long-term follow-up through questionnaires and national registers from before birth to adulthood, as well as genetic and epigenetic data. 

As a researcher in the PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, you will be part of an international, interdisciplinary and diverse research team, including psychologists, pedagogues, sociologists, statisticians, geneticists, biologists and epidemiologists. We value open and reproducible science, user participation and co-production of research, neurodiversity and diversity of perspectives and backgrounds. You will have opportunities to develop high-quality interdisciplinary research expertise, and collaborate with leading experts in neurodevelopment, mental health, genetic epidemiology, and cohort studies. 

The PsychGen Centre is organised in the Division for Mental and Physical Health at NIPH. The area has a multidisciplinary environment with expertise in research and health analysis related to neurodevelopment and mental health, physical health and substance abuse. The Centre is engaged in understanding neurodevelopment and mental health across the life course, using national registries and general population cohorts.

Kvalifikasjoner:

Required qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, epidemiology, genetics, statistics or medicine; completed or submitted with defense scheduled before the start date) 
• Strong publication record in international peer-reviewed journals, including as first author 
• Strong statistical and quantitative skills, ideally including experience with large data sources 
• Demonstrable expertise in the use of R statistical software for data management and statistical analysis 
• Experience in using genetic epidemiological methods
• Excellent skills in written and oral English
• Alignment of research interests with the project aims, as documented through previous experience, publications, or clearly articulated in the cover letter
• Interest in working collaboratively and in accordance with the practices and principles of open and reproducible science, as documented through previous experience, publications or clearly articulated in the cover letter

Favourable qualifications

• Experience working with large longitudinal cohort data and/or data from national registries
• Interest and experience with user participation in research
• Interest and experience with open science practices (e.g., pre-registered analytic plans, open sharing of analytic code, or involvement with registered reports)
• Experience generating and using polygenic scores
• Experience with within-family methods to investigate intergenerational transmission
• Experience using structural equation modelling to investigate patterns of covariation in observational data (phenotypic and/or genetic)
• Experience presenting research internationally (at conferences or as a visiting researcher)

Personlige egenskaper:

• Ambitious and highly motivated for pursuing a career in science
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to take initiative 
• Good organizational skills, attentiveness to detail, and ability to plan and prioritize workload 
• Track record of independent work and take responsibility for project completion
• Interest in being part of an interdisciplinary and diverse research team  

The complementary fit of the candidate’s research interests and experience within the wider research team will be emphasised.

Vi tilbyr:

• A professionally stimulating work environment and collaboration with a newly established PsychGen research center for genetic epidemiology, neurodevelopment and mental health
  
• Opportunities for extensive collaboration with our national and international partners
  
• Oslo's family-friendly environment with rich opportunities for culture and outdoor life
  
• Position as post doc with the salary to be negotiated based on the individual's qualifications, skills, and experience
  
• An opportunity to build a career in genetic epidemiology, neurodevelopment and mental health.  Opportunity to take part in further developing research based on unique data sources
  
• Possibility of staying abroad
  
• Flexible working time arrangements
  
• Pension scheme in the Statens Pensjonskasse
  
• Good welfare schemes (e.g., training during working hours)

General

• The application must be in English and include:
  
  • Cover letter of max. 2 pages (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
    
  • CV with publication list (max. 3 pages)
    
  • Documentation of PhD award, and grade transcripts from graduate/postgraduate studies
    
  • List of 2-3 referee persons (name, relation to candidate, email and phone number)
• Informal enquiries about the position before application are welcomed – please contact Alexandra Havdahl
  
• Start date: On or before July 1st, 2024
  
• Duration: 3,5 years with possibility for extension to 4 years
  
• The outcome of applications will be decided by a panel assessment of qualifications, research experience, motivations, and engagement with the research project (based on CV/cover letter), in combination with interview (for shortlisted candidates), during which the panel will additionally assess prospective fit with the team and research environment