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.