Postdoc - Tracking the long-term impact of anabolic steroids on the brain, heart and mental health

We are announcing a 3-year postdoctoral position at the Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Research Group, Section for Clinical Addiction Research (RusForsk), Oslo University Hospital (OUS). The position is linked to the HSØ-funded longitudinal research project AAS LONG, which examines the long-term effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) on brain health, cognitive function, and mental health, and their interplay with cardiovascular and biological factors in a maturing population.
The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to data collection, advanced data analyses, and dissemination of findings aimed at improving understanding of the mechanisms linking prolonged AAS use to brain health and mental health outcomes. The work will focus on longitudinal effects on brain health through multimodal data integration, including advanced neuroimaging (both brain and body MRI), comprehensive assessment of cognitive and social cognitive abilities, cardiovascular measures, biomarker profiling, hormonal measures, and AI-based predictive modelling.

Note that a PhD fellow is also being recruited to the same project, allowing tasks and responsibilities to be aligned with the candidates’ respective backgrounds and expertise.

The position is embedded in a highly interdisciplinary research environment, with collaborators across psychology, neuroscience, cardiology, endocrinology and data science. RusForsk aims to develop and improve treatment for patients with substance use disorders through clinically oriented, patient-focused research, providing a strong translational context for the project.

Oslo University Hospital is a workplace with great diversity. We believe this is essential to perform the tasks required of us. Therefore, we pursue diversity among our job applicants and encourage everyone to apply regardless of who you are and what background you have.

Key tasks include

• Contribute to final phases of data collection and quality assurance.
• Conduct longitudinal analyses of brain, cognitive and mental health data.
• Integrate multimodal data to test mechanisms linking biological measures to brain aging and clinical outcomes.
• Lead scientific writing and interpretation of results for publication in peer-reviewed journals and other dissemination channels.
• Contribute to supervision of junior researchers and to the broader research environment.
  

Qualification requirements and personal skills

• PhD or equivalent degree in psychology, medicine, neuroscience, data science or a related field. Candidates expected to complete their degree before the starting date may also be considered.
  
• Strong quantitative skills and experience with statistical and computational analysis tools.
  
• Excellent command of English scientific writing.
  
• Proficiency in Norwegian (written and oral) is considered an advantage.
  
• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed international journals relative to career stage.
  
• Experience with interdisciplinary research and analysis of clinical or population-based data.

Additional qualifications

• Experience with structural and/or functional MRI analysis (e.g., FreeSurfer, FSL) is an advantage.
  
• Programming skills for data analysis (e.g., R; familiarity with bash scripting is an advantage).
  
• Experience with neuroimaging analyses in Linux-based secure environments (e.g., TSD), including pipeline-based MRI analyses, is considered an advantage.
  
• Previous knowledge of or research experience related to anabolic-androgenic steroids, hormone use, substance use disorders, or related health consequences is considered an advantage.
  
  

Personal qualities

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  
• Structured, accurate and committed.
  
• Strong motivation for the scientific aims of the AAS LONG project and for interdisciplinary research in clinical and public health contexts.

We offer

• Dedicated supervision in an internationally relevant clinical research project.
  
• Access to a unique longitudinal dataset.
  
• A professional, collaborative and stimulating research environment.
  
• Salary and benefits in accordance with OUS standards.
  
• Attractive welfare benefits and pension scheme.

Starting date: Negotiable

Sammen med pasienten utvikler vi morgendagens behandling

Oslo universitetssykehus med våre 25 000 medarbeidere skal være en lærende og skapende organisasjon med evne til å tenke nytt. Vi skal ha en ledende rolle i utvikling av forskning og innovasjon, samt utvikling av morgendagens helsetjeneste, medisinsk behandling og presisjonsmedisin. Hos oss finner du noen av landets ledende eksperter innen sine fagfelt, og her blir du en del av Norges største helsefaglige arbeidsplass. Et inkluderende arbeidsmiljø preget av åpenhet og respekt er svært viktig for oss. Uansett hva du jobber med vil du få muligheten til å utvikle deg og benytte din kompetanse på et sted hvor det virkelig teller.