Fully Funded PhD Fellowship in Pharmacoepidemiology at UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT The Arctic University of Norway invites qualified and motivated candidates to apply for a three-year PhD Fellowship in Pharmacoepidemiology at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences. Affiliated with the Research Group for Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacoepidemiology (IPSUM), the selected doctoral researcher will work on the high-impact research project titled “Using Tromsø Study Data to Advance Community Pharmacy Practice.” This position provides competitive remuneration under Norwegian state salary scales, comprehensive social welfare coverage, and an outstanding international academic environment.

Quick Overview: PhD Position Summary

Designation

PhD Fellow in Pharmacoepidemiology (Code 1017 under the State Collective Pay Agreement).

Research Area

Pharmacoepidemiology, Clinical Pharmacy, Public Health, Health Informatics, and Social Pharmacy, utilizing population-level health data from the renowned Tromsø Study linked with the Norwegian Prescribed Drug Registry.

Location

Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.

Scholarship Description & Research Project

The PhD fellowship is affiliated with the project “Using Tromsø Study Data to Advance Community Pharmacy Practice.” The primary goal of the study is to optimize medication therapy from both individual patient and public health perspectives. The candidate will leverage rich longitudinal data from approximately 10,000 medication users in the Tromsø Study, linked directly with the Norwegian Prescribed Drug Registry.

Key research questions to be tackled during the doctoral program include:

• Satisfaction with Pharmacy Medication Information: Evaluating factors that influence patient satisfaction or dissatisfaction with medication consultations, including services such as the Inhaler Technique Assessment Service and the New Medicine Service.
• Perceived Importance of Medications: Investigating the degree of concordance between patients’ perspectives on their single most important drug therapy versus clinical assessments by pharmacists and healthcare providers.
• Attitudes Toward Medication Use: Characterizing public beliefs, views, and behavioral attitudes regarding prescription and non-prescription medicines in the broader Norwegian demographic.

Financial Package & Benefits:

• Annual Salary: Standard PhD compensation starts at NOK 580,000 per year, featuring an approximate 3% annual increment.
• Social Security: Automatic enrollment in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, granting comprehensive state healthcare and public benefits.
• Pension Benefits: Compulsory 2% contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK), providing retirement security, disability coverage, occupational injury insurance, and access to favorable mortgage terms.
• Work Culture: Flexible working arrangements, paid holidays, and extensive institutional support for academic career progression.

Eligibility and Qualifications

To be considered for the PhD Fellow role, applicants must meet the rigorous criteria for employment and admission to the doctoral program at the Faculty of Health Sciences:

• Educational Background: A master’s degree (or equivalent 120 ECTS) following a 3-year bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), or an integrated 5-year master’s degree (300 ECTS) in pharmacy, health sciences, epidemiology, public health, or health informatics.
• Master’s Thesis Scope: A master’s thesis corresponding to at least 30 ECTS (for standard master’s degrees) or at least 20 ECTS (for integrated programs), focused on social pharmacy, pharmacoepidemiology, epidemiology, or health informatics using empirical health data.
• Academic Standing: Applicants must have obtained a grade of C or better on their master’s thesis, with an overall grade point average (GPA) of C or higher across their master’s curriculum.
• Language Proficiency: High proficiency in written and spoken English. Nordic applicants may verify proficiency with high school diplomas; international applicants must submit valid standardized English test scores.
• Candidate Profile: Highly structured, creative, self-driven, and adept at cross-disciplinary team collaboration.
• Exclusion: Individuals who already hold a PhD degree or equivalent research qualification are not eligible for this fellowship.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Jobbnorge application portal before the closing date. Supporting documents must be presented in English or a Scandinavian language.

Required Application Documents:

• Cover Letter: Detailing your research background, technical experience, and motivation for pursuing this specific doctorate.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Complete academic and professional trajectory.
• Academic Transcripts & Diplomas: Official Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates and transcripts. Foreign degrees must include an explanation of the home university’s grading scale (Diploma Supplement).
• Master’s Thesis: Complete copy of your master’s thesis and any scientific publications (candidates close to defense may submit a working draft and institutional confirmation of pending completion).
• Project Outline: A brief project sketch (maximum 800 words, excluding literature references) introducing the topic, proposed research questions, suggested pharmacoepidemiological methods, and rationale for your methodological approach.
• English Language Documentation: Recognized test certificates or proof of language exemption.
• References: Contact details for 2–3 professional and academic referees.

Last Date for Application

The closing date for online applications is November 8, 2026 (23:59 CET).

Official Application Link

Interested candidates can read the complete official announcement and submit their application through the university recruitment portal below:

Apply Online: PhD Fellow in Pharmacoepidemiology at UiT