We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate at the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine

The PhD candidate will complete required academic training/coursework at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway and carry out the research activities at Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital (DH-KUSMS) in Nepal. The originally planned research scheme for the PhD candidate is approximately divided as 3 years in Nepal and 1 year in Norway. This position is a fixed term, 65/100 % position, for 4 years, starting in March 2024. This position is meant to contribute to the faculty development of DH/KUSMS

The position is tied to the project "A randomized controlled trial in Nepal: Implementing point-of-care-tests and identifying barriers to reduce antibiotics for vaginal discharge POCT-BRA study"  funded by the Department of clinical and molecular medicine and the Norwegian Research Council and the  and led by research fellow Risa Lonnee-Hoffmann and professor Eszther Vanky in Norway and associated profesor Sunila Shakya in Nepal.

The primary aim of the POCT-BRA project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of POCTs in reducing overtreatment of AVD with antibiotics in an LLMIC setting. The secondary objectives are to examine the diagnostic accuracy of these POCTs and their feasibility for patients and health practitioners, highlighting the benefits of patient education and addressing of psychosocial vulnerabilities.

• to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) inclusive a follow up at Dhulikhel Hospital and six of its outreach centers to test the effectivenss of the POCTs with and without an educational intervention as well as addressing the patients psychosocial vulnerability
• to perform appropriate statistical analysis and interpretation of the results and present these in three academic works for peer review

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions.

The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in medicine, nursing or midwifery, alternative in public health or epidemiology or an equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant 

• Excellent English and Nepali skills, spoken and written
• Prior written, scientific output (for example, master's thesis of high quality on a topic related to women's health

• Background as a medical doctor, nurse, midwife or other health professional with experience within the field of women's health
• Demonstrated ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated command of research skills, particularly quantitative, including data management
• Employment at Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences I Dhulikhel Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital (DH-KUSMS)

Female candidates will be given preference because of  NTNU´s policy to internationally endorse women´s chances to engage in leading positions.

• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in a cross-disciplinary team.

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 4 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Medicine and Health Sciences within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include: 

• CV, certificates and diplomas
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 15 works)
• Name and address of three referees

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.