PhD Research Fellowship to study exercise interventions for depression and anxiety

A three-year PhD-position in study exercise interventions for depression and anxiety is available in the Psychiatric Epidemology Group (PaGE) at Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital. The hired candidate will be enrolled in the PhD programme at the University of Oslo.

We are seeking a talented graduate (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology, biology, statistics, epidemiology) wishing to develop strong interdisciplinary skills at the interface of mental health research, epidemiology, and wearable technologies. The student will be based at Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, with academic enrolment at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. The project is part of a wider collaboration with the PsychGen Centre at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the Modum Bad inpatient facility (Vikersund, Norway) and with international collaborators at the University of Bristol and University of Bath, UK. The PhD student will be embedded within this team of international, cross-disciplinary researchers, using cutting-edge methods and large cohort data to better maximise the efficacy of exercise interventions for depression and anxiety.

PhD Project Description
Depressive and anxiety disorders are the two most prevalent types of mental health condition and the leading cause of global disability. The prevalence of depression and anxiety is increasing, especially amongst adolescents and young adults. There is strong evidence that, on average, exercise improves symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, there remains a substantial proportion of individuals who experience no improvement, and a smaller proportion for whom exercise actually makes their symptoms worse.

In order to tailor the exercise intervention appropriately to individual needs, we need to better understand the mechanisms that make exercise beneficial for mental health in adults. We aim to achieve this through three work packages, which triangulate evidence from multiple data sources and methodological approaches: 1) piloting use of wearable technology in patients with depression and anxiety while they undergo exercise interventions, 2) using longitudinal cohort data to explore exercise mechanisms that improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and 3) using genetic causal inference techniques to test causality of mechanisms between exercise and symptoms of depression/anxiety. This project brings together insights from high-frequency individual-level prediction, population-level prediction and causal inference to build a richer picture of exercise intervention efficacy.

The Research Team
The PhD candidate will join the PsychGen Centre led by Alexandra Havdahl, based across Lovisenberg Hospital and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The candidate will receive PhD supervision from Alexandra Havdahl along with Robyn Wootton (University of Bristol), KariAnne Vrabel (Modum Bad) and Hannah Sallis (University of Bristol). The candidate will also be integrated into a highly-engaged international network of experienced, multi-disciplinary collaborators from the University of Oslo, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Modum Bad, the University of Bristol and the University of Bath. Funding is provided from the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority.

Research Exchange
The position includes the possibility to stay one year at the School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, where the student can attend training courses in epidemiological methods, and work with collaborators Hannah Sallis, Andy Skinner, and Jeff Lambert (University of Bath). The funder encourages applications for exchange fellowship to cover travel and accommodation expenses.

Qualifications and personal skills
Essential

• A master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as psychology, bioinformatics, medicine, statistics, epidemiology, or similar, with grades satisfying the criteria for enrolment in the PhD programme at the University of Oslo
• Master’s thesis at no less than grade B; average grade at no less than grade C
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in Norwegian and English
• Experience with statistical analysis or programming (R, Stata, SPSS or similar)
• Strong statistical and quantitative skills, with willingness to learn new analytic methods
• Strong interest in working collaboratively and in accordance with the practices and principles of open and reproducible science

Desirable

• Experience in mental health research
• Experience with patient interactions
• Experience analysing large longitudinal datasets
• Experience analysing genetic data

Expectations

• Over 3 years, the PhD candidate will be expected to:
• Study the literature on exercise in relation to depression and anxiety
• Complete mandatory courses on the PhD-program at the University of Oslo
• Complete training in statistical analyses and genetic causal inference techniques as necessary to conduct the data analyses
• Pilot the use of wearable technology in patients with depression and anxiety while they undergo exercise interventions, including a stay at Modum Bad (Vikersund, Norway)
• Conduct statistical analyses in longitudinal cohort data to explore whether and how exercise improve symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Use genetic causal inference techniques to test causality of mechanisms between exercise and symptoms of depression/anxiety
• Write 3 or more scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Write and submit the PhD dissertation within the project period
• Attend and present their work at international conferences
• Work in accordance with the practices and principles of open and reproducible science

What we offer

• 3-year, full-time position with salary NOK 536,200 to 586,350 per annum, depending on qualifications
• Funding for conference attendance and training
• An inspiring working environment with supportive and dedicated supervision, a friendly and collaborative research team, and highly qualified national and international collaborators
• Use of unique data sources such as the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study and national registries
• Flexible working conditions
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous salary pension scheme through KLP
• A wide range of company sports teams and Oslo’s rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply
The application must include:

• Cover letter of max. 2 pages (statement of motivation, summarising scientific work and research interests)
• CV (including summary of education, employment, research experience, teaching experience, administrative experience and other relevant activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system and from some countries, UiO may require a formal evaluation of equivalence. Please note that all documents should be in English.

Assessment criteria
In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on academic qualifications, the candidate’s motivation, and personal suitability. Interviews will be performed as part of the selection process.

Start date: 1st September 2025 (with flexibility).