Scholarship Overview
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
People Also Checked: Polyfoni Social Sciences for AI Fellowship 2026-27: Research Collaboration for Social Scientists
Overview
The UiO PhD Fellowship 2027 is a fully funded three-year doctoral position at the University of Oslo, Norway. The fellowship focuses on chromatin and computational biology, specifically investigating how mutations in nuclear lamins cause lipodystrophies and associated metabolic diseases through spatial genome organization and gene regulation research.
This position combines wet-laboratory 3D genomics experiments with advanced computational analyses, offering an interdisciplinary research environment for candidates interested in epigenomics and genome biology.
People Also Checked: ORFeus MSCA Doctoral Network 2026: 15 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Microprotein Research (Fully Funded)
Host Institution and Research Environment
The fellowship is hosted by the Collas Lab within the Division of Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Medicine, at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo. The project leader is Dr. Julia Madsen-Østerbye.
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest-ranked university, recognized for its open, internationally oriented research communities across broad academic disciplines. Fellows become part of the Medical Faculty’s PhD programme with collaboration opportunities including the Danish Cancer Institute in Copenhagen, where research stays are possible.
People Also Checked: DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2026: MSc International Health at Charité Berlin (Fully Funded)
Research Focus
The PhD project investigates:
- Epigenomic mechanisms of nuclear lamin mutations
- Causal pathways to lipodystrophies and metabolic diseases
- Spatial genome organization using 3D genomics techniques
- Computational integration of RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq and related datasets
The position requires both laboratory experimentation and bioinformatic analysis, making it ideal for candidates with hybrid wet-lab and computational backgrounds.
Financial Support and Benefits
The fellowship provides comprehensive funding including:
- Salary: NOK 550,800 – 595,000 annually (position code 1017), depending on competence and experience
- Pension: Membership in Statens Pensjonskasse, one of Norway’s best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and insurance
- Statutory deduction: 2% of salary contributed to the State Pension Fund
- Work-life balance: Up to 1.5 hours weekly exercise during working hours
- Development: Career opportunities and good welfare schemes
- Environment: Active, international and interdisciplinary research community
For African applicants from Zimbabwe and SADC countries, this represents a stable, well-funded opportunity in a country with strong worker protections and quality of life standards.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet these mandatory criteria:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in chromatin/genome biology
- Minimum grade B on the ECTS grading scale (or equivalent)
- Thesis component of at least 30 ECTS in the Master’s degree
- Programming skills in Python, R, or equivalent scientific computing languages
- Experience in bioinformatic analysis of genomic data
- Excellent English written and oral communication skills
Advantageous qualifications (not required):
- Experience with 3D chromatin conformation capture methods (practical and/or computational)
- Experience with electronic laboratory notebook systems
Personal attributes sought:
- Positive and systematic mindset
- Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to learn
- Collaborative team orientation
- Good communication with molecular biologists, technicians, and bioinformaticians
- Contribution to collegial and inclusive working environment
- Cover letter: Statement of motivation and specific interests for this position
- CV: Summary of education, positions, and relevant work experience
- Educational certificates: Copies of degrees and transcript records
- Grading explanation: Foreign applicants must attach explanation of their university’s grading system
- Publication list: List only; do not attach publications or dissertation
- Three references: Name, relationship, email, and phone number for each
- Access the recruitment system through the official Jobbnorge portal
- Click “Apply for the position”
- Complete all required fields in the online application
- Upload all mandatory documents as specified
- For Norwegian-educated applicants: Retrieve education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no
- For international applicants: Upload university transcripts/grades directly
- Verify all documentation is complete before submission
- Submit before the deadline
- Motivation for the specific project
- Academic prerequisites to carry out the research
- Personal suitability for the position
- Research/Project questions: Julia Madsen-Østerbye (Project Leader) — jkmadsen@medisin.uio.no
- Administrative questions: Zahida Nabi (HR Adviser) — zahida.nabi@medisin.uio.no
- English proficiency is essential; IELTS/TOEFL scores are not explicitly required but strong communication skills must be demonstrated
- Ensure your Master’s degree is evaluated as equivalent to the Norwegian system; contact the University early if uncertain
- The ECTS grading scale reference means a B-grade typically equals 70-79% or upper second-class equivalent
- Norway’s Statens Pensjonskasse provides excellent long-term benefits including pension and mortgage advantages
- Research stays in Copenhagen offer proximity to continental Europe and expanded networking
Required Documents
Applications must include:
Important: All documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language. The University of Oslo cannot add documentation after the deadline.
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply:
Primary communication during the process occurs via email and messages through the Jobbnorge system.
Selection Process
Applications are evaluated based on:
The best-qualified applicants will be invited for interview. Note that applicant lists may be published under Norway’s Freedom of Information Act § 25, though exclusion requests with justification may be considered.
Contact Information
For questions about the position:
Practical Considerations for African Applicants
For applicants from Zimbabwe and SADC region:
Official scholarship page: https://www.jobbnorge.no/
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
