PhD position at the Department of Clinical and Biological Psychology

PhD position at the Department of Clinical and Biological Psychology

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PhD position

There is a vacancy for a full-time PhD position for a period of three (3) years at the Department of Clinical and Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen. 

The position is funded by and connected to the EU Horizon project Fighting Addictions, Improving Lives: Comprehensive Drug Rehabilitation with Music (FALCO).

About the project/work tasks:

The successful candidate will join the European FALCO project (Fighting Addictions, Improving Lives: Comprehensive Drug Rehabilitation with Music), a large international randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of music therapy on recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). The project involves treatment and research sites across six European countries as well as collaborating partners in Israel and Palestine, bringing together expertise from psychology, neuroscience, psychiatry, music therapy, and addiction research. 

The PhD project will focus on the neuroimaging component of FALCO, using structural and functional MRI to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic effects of music. The PhD candidate will be responsible for coordinating and conducting MRI/fMRI sessions with participants enrolled in the clinical trial, contributing to data management and quality control, analyzing neuroimaging data, and disseminating findings through scientific publications and conference presentations. The position involves close collaboration with the other clinical partners, music therapists, psychologists, neuroscientists, and neuroimaging researchers across several European countries. Development of novel research questions and analytical approaches within the project is highly welcome.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a master's degree or equivalent in the fields of psychology, neuroscience, medicine, biology, computer science, physics, or related disciplines. 
• For admission to the PhD program, a grade of B or higher is normally required on the master's thesis, or the average grade of the qualifying degree. 
• Experience in neuroscientific research and methods is highly desirable, but not mandatory, e.g. experience in conducting or evaluating fMRI and MRI data. However, strong interest in neuroimaging research and clinical neuroscience is necessary. 
• The project relies on advanced neuroimaging and data analysis, including MRI/fMRI processing and analysis, functional connectivity methods, longitudinal modelling, machine learning and multivariate approaches. Proficiency in programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or R), handling large datasets, and working with complex analysis 2 pipelines is an advantage but not mandatory. Experience with relevant neuroimaging software, secure research infrastructures (e.g., SAFE or HPC), and experimental platforms such as PsychoPy is also considered an advantage. 
• Ability to work independently and in a structured manner, while also demonstrating strong collaboration skills. Proficiency in both written and spoken English. 
• Good command of Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language) sufficient for communicating with participants in clinical settings. 
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work directly with vulnerable (clinical) populations. 
• Ability to collaborate effectively within an international and interdisciplinary research consortium

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical and technical skills with an interest in clinical research and enjoys working at the interface between neuroscience, mental health, and innovative therapeutic interventions.

About the PhD position 

About the PhD position: The PhD position has a duration of three years. The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a recruitment position. You cannot hold more than one fixed-term PhD position at the same institution

The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. 

About the PhD programme: As a PhD Candidate, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. 

Further information about the PhD programme at the Faculty of Psychology can be found here.

We can offer:

• Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
• An annual salary of NOK 593 700  before taxes (position code 1017) according to the state salary scale. The position provides automatic salary progression for up to four years, with an annual increase of 3%. A higher salary may be considered if you have specialist qualifications.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• Cover letter providing a brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• The names and contact details of two referees. One of them must be the main supervisor of your master’s thesis or an equivalent thesis. 
• CV 
• Transcripts and diplomas documenting the completion of your bachelor's and master's degrees. • Relevant certificates and references. 
• A list of any scientific publications (publication list). 
• Copies of any publications you wish to be considered in the evaluation of your application. 
• If you have a foreign education, you must enclose certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language if the original diploma and grade transcripts are not already in one of these languages. You must also provide a confirmation from HKdir (formerly NOKUT) that your education is recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian master’s degree. The review process at HK-dir may take some time, so you should submit your application to HK-dir as soon as you decide to apply for the position. If you have not received a response from HK-dir before the application deadline, you must enclose documentation confirming that HK-dir has received your application. Certain degrees from selected countries have automatic recognition: Automatic recognition – a quicker alternative | HK-dir. If you found your educational degree here, you must download the automatic recognition and enclose it to your application. 

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: 

Head of Department Frøydis Morken, +47 55 58 62 87, email froydis.morken@uib.no  

Project leader/main supervisor Professor Stefan Kölsch, + 47 55 58 62 31, email stefan.koelsch@uib.no 

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

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.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

About UiB

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad. 

There are five departments and two centres at Faculty of Psychology. Read more about the faculty and departments.