PhD Candidate in Registry-Based Research on Migraine Treatment and Outcomes

6th April 2026
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English

• English

English

We are looking for a PhD candidate at Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science/NorHead

PhD Candidate in Registry-Based Research on Migraine Treatment and Outcomes
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About the position

The Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science (INB) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) invites applications for a 3-year full-time (100%) PhD position. The successful candidate will be part of the research group “Understanding Headache Through Registry Data”, under the umbrella of the Norwegian Centre for Headache Research (NorHead).

The position is funded by NTNU and the Central Norway Health Authority (Samarbeidsorganet). PhD candidates will be part of an interdisciplinary and international research environment, working closely with other PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and senior researchers, both locally and abroad.

Your immediate leader is Trine Aakvik Strand

For more information about NorHead, visit: https://www.ntnu.no/norhead/

About the project

Chronic migraine affects millions globally, causing substantial disability and healthcare burden. Anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies (mABs) have transformed migraine prevention, but questions remain about optimal treatment duration and outcomes after discontinuation or reinitiation.

This project will evaluate the effects of anti-CGRP mABs on acute migraine medication use across different treatment trajectories—initiation, discontinuation, and reinitiation. Using comprehensive nationwide Norwegian registry data, the study will provide insights into real-world effectiveness across different treatment phases, informing clinical decision-making, guide treatment strategies, and contribute to improving care for patients with chronic migraine.

We are looking for a motivated PhD student who will be part of methodologically strong, interdisciplinary and international research environment at NorHead. Our collaborators include leading research groups in the UK, Denmark, and Spain – including the world-renowned High-Dimensional Neurology Group at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London.

Duties of the position

The main duties and responsibilities of the position are:

• The successful candidate will join the NorHead research group and is expected to take initiative in shaping and advancing the project’s research activities.
• Complete doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
• Carry out research of good quality within the outlined framework.
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in the research group’s weekly and/or monthly meetings
• Participate in international activities such as conferences, workshops, and presentation opportunities.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• The applicant must have a Master`s degree or an equivalent in medicine, pharmacology/pharmacy, public health, epidemiology, statistics, biostatistics, or machine learning/artificial intelligence. 
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• Meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s Doctoral Programme 
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English language skills

Organized research training (PhD program):

The selected candidate will be required to enrol in the NTNU’s approved PhD programme, aiming to complete the degree within three years. Admission to the organized research training (PhD program) at the faculty of medicine is essential for this position. Application for admission to the PhD programme, including a project plan outline for the training plan, must be submitted no later than three months after the date of commencement.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with, or documented ability to work with register data or large datasets is an advantage.
• Experience with—or documented interest in—advanced statistical methods including time series analysis, or the application of machine learning to registry data is highly valued.
• Experience in statistical analysis, including the use of statistical software such as STATA, R, Python, or SAS, will be viewed positively.

Personal characteristics

• Demonstrate curiosity and strong motivation for headache research and/or public health.
• Able to work independently in a structured manner.
• Shows strong collaboration and teamwork skills.
• Maintain a constructive and steady performance under pressure or in the face of adversity.
• Flexible and open to adjusting project plans as needed. 

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities, and applicant’s suitability for the position will be an important part of the assessment.

We offer

• Exciting job with an important mission in society.
• Open and inclusive working environment with close interaction among PhD candidates and senior researchers, both locally and internationally.
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period.
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world  and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful . We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse, and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education. 

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability, and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. 

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3 years.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Medicine and Health Sciences within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act , and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include: 

• Short motivation letter (1-2 pages).
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
• CV.
• Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here . If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) , please attach this as well. 

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation . You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact researcher Samita Giri, telephone 47740102, email samita.giri@ntnu.no. 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact administrative consultant Karoline Dorthea Juul Nordvik, e-mail: karoline.d.j.nordvik@ntnu.no

Application deadline: 06.04.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 
The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality. 

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NTNU - knowledge for a better world
NTNU - knowledge for a better world
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.
The Department of Neuroscience and Movement Science (INB) is an ambitious department in strong development. Great diversity in medicine and health disciplines is a hallmark of the department. We give priority to social relevance and quality in both education and research.
Several of our groups of researchers and teaching staff are at the forefront of their fields in Norway and internationally. Our ambition: “Through interdisciplinary collaboration, INB creates forward-looking education and research that lead the way in improving health and function.”
Read more about the Department here: www.ntnu.edu/inb
Questions about the position

Samita Giri

Forsker

+4747740102

samita.giri@ntnu.no

Karoline Dorthea Juul Nordvik

Administrativ konsulent

+4773592044

karoline.d.j.nordvik@ntnu.no

Apply for this job
Deadline

6th April 2026

Employer

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Municipality

Trondheim

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Temporary

Place of service
Edvard Griegs Gate 8, 7030 Trondheim
Remote work

Hybrid

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