项目介绍

2026年11月1日

15th November 2026

Languages English

We are looking for a

PhD Candidate in Genetic Epidemiology – Genomics and Industry Collaboration

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This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the position

We have a vacancy at the HUNT Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology (HUNT MCE) for a PhD Candidate in Genetic Epidemiology. This is a 3-year temporary position linked to HUNT-Genes IP: Industry-supported Programs for Innovation in Genomics, a project funded by the Research Council of Norway in which academic researchers work together with partners from the pharmaceutical and health technology industry.

We are looking for a talented, motivated and professional candidate with a background in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics or bioinformatics. Because the position involves close and regular contact with industry partners, we place weight on professional conduct, clear communication and the ability to deliver on agreed plans and deadlines.

At HUNT MCE we use population studies to investigate how biology, lifestyle and environment affect health and disease development. An overarching goal is to develop better prevention and treatment strategies by studying genetic and environmental causes of disease, disease progression and prediction, and treatment effects. The center is multidisciplinary, and we use methods from genetic, molecular and clinical epidemiology to study a wide range of diseases and health conditions. For more information about the center.

As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work towards your doctorate while gaining experience that qualifies you for a further career in research and higher education, in the life science industry, or in the public health and health care sector.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The project uses data from large population-based cohorts available to the HUNT MCE Group for Genetic Epidemiology. This includes genotype data on more than 88,000 individuals from the HUNT Study, linked with comprehensive health information from local and national registries such as hospital and primary care records, the Medical Birth Registry, the Cause of Death Registry and the Norwegian Prescription Database.

HUNT-Genes IP brings together NTNU, St. Olavs hospital and partners from the pharmaceutical and health technology industry to establish a model for academic–industry collaboration in population-based genetics. Data and advanced analyses are kept securely in Norway within HUNT Cloud, while results can have global importance. As a flagship application, the project will prioritize genetic drug targets for Alzheimer’s disease.

The PhD project will study how genetic variation in the population can be used to identify and validate drug targets and to understand disease risk and treatment effects. The specific aims will be developed together with the candidate and the project partners. The work will involve applying and developing robust and reproducible methods for large-scale genomic data, such as genome-wide association studies, drug-target Mendelian randomization, analyses of on- and off-target effects, genetic target trial emulation, pharmacoepidemiologic validation, polygenic prediction and functional bioinformatic follow-up.

The candidate will take part in joint project meetings with the industry partners, present and discuss results with them, and contribute to collaborative analyses within the framework of the project’s collaboration and confidentiality agreements.

The project is part of a broad international collaboration network, and the candidate will have the opportunity for a research stay at an institution abroad, for example the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol.

Duties of the position

Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate

Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above

Contribute to collaborative work with industry partners, including project meetings, progress reporting and presentation of results

Handle health data and confidential information in line with data protection rules, ethical approvals and collaboration agreements

Publish in international peer-reviewed journals and take part in popular science dissemination

Participate in the Genetic Epidemiology (GWAS) research group

Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at institutions abroad

Teaching and other career-promoting work

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

You must have a relevant Master’s degree in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, bioinformatics or an equivalent field (for example epidemiology, biostatistics, genetics or computational biology) with substantial training in the analysis of genetic or genomic data. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis.

You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s Doctoral Programme , see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.

You must have a strong and relevant academ