Stefan Johansson

PhD position in childhood obesity genetics at the University of Bergen The Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen (UiB), offers a full-time PhD position for three years within the Mohn Research Center for Diabetes Precision Medicine (PRECISE-DIA). The project focuses on the genetic foundations of appetite and obesity in early life and on identifying factors affecting early growth to uncover biological mechanisms that may help prevent later obesity and diabetes. The successful candidate will work on data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), combining genomics, phenotype, and questionnaire data from a very large pregnancy cohort with international collaborative datasets. The research aims to understand how common and rare genetic variation shapes weight gain, appetite, satiety regulation, body composition, eating behaviour, and long-term metabolic health from infancy through adolescence. The project is based in Bergen, Norway, at the Mohn Research Center for Diabetes Precision Medicine located within the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital. The research environment is cross-disciplinary and includes medicine, genetics, statistics, epidemiology, cell biology, and informatics, with strong international collaboration and opportunities for research exchanges abroad. Key tasks include identifying early-life trajectories linked to healthy and unhealthy growth, studying rare and common variants using NGS and GWAS data, exploring parent-of-origin effects, and contributing to collaborative and cross-disciplinary research. The position also includes participation in international early-life genetics projects and research exchange abroad. Applicants should have a Master’s degree or equivalent in molecular genetics, medicine, genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, medical data science, or bioinformatics. The university asks candidates to submit a short text describing their research interests and motivation. Strong English skills are required. Relevant research experience, omics analysis, informatics skills, and experience with international collaboration are considered positive. The position is funded by the University of Bergen, not by an EU Research Framework Programme. It is a fixed-term PhD appointment with salary from NOK 600,000 in the state salary scale, and higher salary levels may apply for eligible medical or dental applicants. The application deadline is 7 September 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Oslo). Apply via the Jobbnorge website and include the requested documentation: motivation statement, diplomas and transcripts, language documentation, publications, and two references. Applicants whose education is from outside Norway may also need HK-dir recognition documentation and certified translations where applicable.

The University of Bergen’s Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Science (K2), invites applications for a full-time, three-year PhD position as part of the projects “Genetic Foundations of Appetite and Obesity in Early Life” and “Identification of factors affecting early growth to reveal biological mechanisms that may be targeted to prevent later obesity and diabetes.” The research is based at the Mohn Research Center for Diabetes Precision Medicine (PRECISE-DIA), funded by the University of Bergen. This project addresses the urgent global health issue of childhood obesity, focusing on genetic predisposition and its role in susceptibility to obesogenic environments. The research aims to uncover the genetic architecture underlying weight gain, appetite, and satiety regulation from infancy through adolescence, and to understand the lifelong impact of early-life factors on metabolic health and diabetes risk. The successful candidate will work with data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), which includes genomics, phenotypic, and questionnaire-derived data from approximately 100,000 pregnancies. The cohort offers unique opportunities to study disease and health development across two generations. Results will be combined with international collaborations to discover both common and rare genetic variants influencing early-life body composition, eating behaviour, and lifetime health. The project is conducted at PRECISE-DIA, located at Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. The research team is cross-disciplinary, including medicine, genetics, statistics, epidemiology, cell biology, and informatics, and is highly internationally oriented. The candidate will receive guidance and training within the core team and through formalized co-supervision from international collaborators, with opportunities for research exchanges abroad. Work tasks include identifying early-life trajectories (genetic and non-genetic factors) that characterize healthy and unhealthy weight and life development, studying the impact of rare (NGS-data) and common variation (GWAS) on growth and eating behaviour, participating in international collaborative work on early life genetics, identifying parent-of-origin genetic effects, and engaging in cross-disciplinary research. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in molecular genetics, medicine, genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, medical data science, or bioinformatics. They must demonstrate strong interest and motivation for the project, ability to work independently and collaboratively, and fluency in English. Positive consideration is given to relevant research experience, proficiency in informatics, and experience analyzing large omics data or international collaboration. Applicants with degrees from outside Norway must provide certified translations and a review from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) to verify equivalence to a Norwegian master’s degree. Documentation of language skills (English) is required. The position offers a salary of NOK 570,000 (code 1017) in the state salary scale, with higher salaries for applicants with medical or dental qualifications (NOK 585,000) and medical specialists (NOK 605,000). Additional benefits include good welfare provisions and enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. The selected candidate must enroll in the University of Bergen’s approved PhD programme, aiming to complete the degree within three years. Admission to the organized research training (PhD program) at the Faculty is essential. Application for admission, including a project plan outline, must be submitted within three months of commencement. To apply, submit your application via the JobbNorge portal by 12th May 2026. Include a brief account of your research interests and motivation, certified copies of diplomas and transcripts, HK-dir review (if applicable), documentation of language skills, list of publications, and two references. The University of Bergen is committed to diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applicants from all backgrounds. For further information, contact Professor Stefan Johansson at [email protected]