PhD Fellowship in Applied Information Technology: Precision Medicine for Pain Management in Dysmenorrhea Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, Norway’s largest independent comprehensive university college, invites applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship in Applied Information Technology. The position is based at the School of Health Sciences in Oslo, a vibrant academic environment with a strong focus on interdisciplinary research and societal impact. Project Overview: The PhD project aims to advance precision medicine for pain management in dysmenorrhea, a condition affecting many women worldwide. Despite its prevalence, the mechanisms and effective treatments for dysmenorrhea remain poorly understood. This research will bridge bioinformatics and health sciences to improve patient care by developing more precise pain treatment strategies. Research Activities: The successful candidate will collect clinical data and blood samples (PBMCs) from women experiencing varying degrees of menstrual pain, perform RNA profiling, analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and conduct pathway enrichment analyses using tools such as clusterProfiler, Gene Ontology (GO), and KEGG. The project will interpret RNA profile differences to elucidate neuro-immune pain mechanisms, inflammatory processes, and clinical trajectories. The candidate will also be responsible for participant recruitment, data processing, statistical analysis, and dissemination of results in academic forums. Eligibility: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., Human Data Science, Biosciences, Bioinformatics, Health Sciences) with a grade B or better, and a thesis of at least 30 ECTS. Experience in data sampling, analysis, and wet-lab work is required, along with proficiency in English. Additional assets include experience in clinical study design, Norwegian language skills, and background in pain research or RNA sequencing. Candidates should demonstrate curiosity, motivation for independent research, strong communication skills, and the ability to work with vulnerable women in a Norwegian context. Funding and Benefits: The fellowship offers a competitive annual salary (NOK 550,800), NOK 50,000 per year for travel and research costs, free health and travel insurance, pension plan, and equipment. Employees benefit from strong Norwegian labour laws, including paid parental and sick leave and 25 paid vacation days. Application Process: Applications must be submitted via the Kristiania University of Applied Sciences portal and include a motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts, CV, two references, master’s thesis, and a project proposal (up to 4 pages). Admission to the PhD programme is required within three months of the start date. The application deadline is 2 March 2026. Contact: For project-related questions, contact Professor Johannes Gjerstad ([email protected]). For PhD programme inquiries, contact Professor Asle Fagerstrøm ([email protected]). Kristiania University of Applied Sciences encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, especially women and minorities. For more information, visit www.kristiania.no and PhD in Applied Information Technology .

Kristiania University of Applied Sciences in Oslo, Norway, is offering a fully funded PhD fellowship in Applied Information Technology, focusing on precision medicine for pain management in dysmenorrhea. The university is Norway's largest independent comprehensive university college, with a strong commitment to applied knowledge development and societal impact. The School of Health Sciences, which hosts this position, provides research-based education across health sciences, psychology, pedagogy, and law, emphasizing health promotion, prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment. The PhD project aims to improve patient care by advancing precision pain treatment for women suffering from dysmenorrhea, a condition that significantly affects quality of life. The research will involve collecting clinical data and blood samples (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells) from women experiencing varying degrees of menstrual pain. Key project components include RNA profiling, analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs), pathway enrichment analyses using tools like clusterProfiler, Gene Ontology (GO), and KEGG, and interpretation of RNA profile differences to explain neuro-immune pain mechanisms and inflammatory processes. The successful candidate will join a dynamic research team and participate in all aspects of the project, including participant recruitment, clinical data collection, PBMC isolation, RNA extraction, sequencing, data cleaning and mapping, statistical analysis of gene expression, functional analysis, and dissemination of results. The position is ideal for candidates with cross-disciplinary interests bridging bioinformatics, health sciences, and technology. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in a relevant field with a grade B or better, and a master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS. A relevant bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in Human Data Science, Biosciences, Bioinformatics, Health Sciences, or an equivalent area is required. Experience with data sampling, analysis, and wet-lab work is essential, along with proficiency in English. Additional desirable qualifications include experience in clinical study design, Norwegian language skills, and expertise in pain research and RNA sequencing. Personal qualities such as curiosity, motivation for independent research, strong communication and cooperation skills, and the ability to work with vulnerable women in a Norwegian context are highly valued. The fellowship offers a competitive salary (NOK 550,800 per year), NOK 50,000 annually for travel and running costs, free health and travel insurance, pension plan, equipment, and strong labour protections including paid parental and sick leave and 25 paid vacation days. The PhD period is three years, with the earliest start date of 01.09.2026. The application deadline is 02.03.2026. To apply, candidates must submit their application via the university's portal, including a motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts (in Scandinavian or English), CV, at least two references, master’s thesis, and a project proposal (up to 4 pages, max. 2,000 words, in English). Admission to the PhD programme is required within three months of the start date. For further details, see the provided regulations and university links. Kristiania University of Applied Sciences encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, especially women and minorities. For project-related questions, contact Professor Johannes Gjerstad ([email protected]). For programme-related questions, contact Professor Asle Fagerstrøm ([email protected]).