Stilling:
Researcher / Senior researcher in bioinformatics (ref 26/18)
Deadline: 2th July 2018
At the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Section for Epidemiology in Oslo, and in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute for Public Health, Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, we have a temporary 2 year position as RESEARCHER/SENIOR RESEARCHER IN BIOINFORMATICS.
Norwegian Veterinary Institute
The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is a research institute in the areas of animal health, fish health and food and feed safety, whose primary function is supply of research-based knowledge support to the authorities. NVI have a free and independent position in all academic questions.
As the authorities' main advisor in topics related to prevention, handling and elimination of zoonoses and serious infectious diseases in fish and land animals, NVI performs an important task to the Norwegian society.
NVI also assists in the prevention and management of crises caused by hazardous compounds and contaminants in feed and food. We provide services and advice to the industry, professionals and pet owners.
The institute’s headquarters is located in Oslo, but NVI is present throughout Norway with 5 regional laboratories in Sandnes, Bergen, Trondheim, Harstad and Tromsø. NVI has currently about 335 employees. In 2020 NVI headquarters will move from Oslo downtown to the campus of Ås. For more information consult www.vetinst.no/en
Section for Epidemiology
The section focuses on epidemiology and infection modelling, risk assessment, health economics, biostatistics and bioinformatics, and we carry out research based knowledge generation within our disciplines for use in advisory services by government agencies, livestock producers and fish breeders in Norway. The section has a large national and international project portfolio within contract and basic research. Epidemiology, risk assessment and bioinformatics are sought-after competencies that will help in disease control for both industry and government. The section currently counts 16 employees.
Norwegian Institute of Public Health
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s (NIPH) vision is “better health for all.” NIPH produces, summarizes and communicates knowledge for the public health sector and healthcare services. The Institute’s main activities are emergency preparedness, research and health analysis, risk assessment and systematic reviews, providing advice, services, communication and infrastructure for knowledge. Infrastructure for knowledge comprises registries, health surveys, biobanks and laboratory services. The Institute is a government organization under the Ministry of Health with approximately 1,000 employees located in Oslo and Bergen.
The Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health is one of four divisions at NIPH. The division is working to prevent infectious diseases and reduce health damage caused by biological, chemical and physical factors in the environment. Both national and international research is an important deliverable for the division. NIPH’s overall goal of research is that it is of high quality, internationally competitive and have strategic significance for the Institute’s community assignments and objectives. For more information visit www.fhi.no/en
European Joint Programme on One Health (One Health EJP)
The position is part of a large scale European Joint Programme on One Health called EJP ONE HEALTH (H2020 project 773830). The One Health concept recognizes that human health is dependent on animal and environmental health, and that foodborne contaminants, in particular those that affect human health, animal health and the environment are closely intertwined.
The One Health EJP will help to strengthen cooperation between its 41 partners from 19 Member States. These research centres, most of which have reference mandates on foodborne zoonoses, form an organised network and represent an integrated research community whose aim is to promote scientific progress in the areas of foodborne zoonoses (FBZ), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and emerging threats (ET).
This position is specifically associated with two research projects within the EJP consortium; ORION and COHESIVE, which started in January 2018. Both projects focus on establishing and strengthening inter-institutional collaboration and interdisciplinary knowledge transfer for integration and interpretation of surveillance data. In recent years, DNA sequencing data has emerged as a major data source for surveillance of infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and virulence. NVI and NIPH wishes to cooperate more closely on using such data for more timely and effective surveillance of FBZ on a national and international level. This position therefore plays an important part in the development of this collaboration. For more information visit http://onehealthejp.eu/
Work tasks
- Research, develop and implement bioinformatics pipelines and workflows for characterization of microbes and detection of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes.
- Develop and set up IT-systems required for routine bioinformatics analysis of microbes.
- Participation in international work groups within the EU projects.
- Collaborate with others at both institutes and contribute to the general bioinformatics work at both institutes.
Selection Criteria
- A. Essential requirements
- At a minimum, a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in bioinformatics, computer science, statistics, mathematics or within life sciences.
- IT experience, including programming and linux experience is required.
- B. Additional desirable criteria (scientific and personal)
- Research experience corresponding to doctorate level is strongly desired.
- Experience with sequence based bioinformatics tools is desired.
- Experience with microbial issues is an advantage.
- Experience with open source software is an advantage.
- Good written and oral skills in English, and preferably also a Scandinavian language.
- Good interpersonal skills and team working abilities.
- Good problem solving skills, and an ability to work independently.
- An ability to take initiative and to organize and drive a project forward.
Contract and salary
The current position is offered as a full time (37,5hr per week) temporary position for a period of 2 years, with the possibility of an extension. The successful candidate should ideally start within the third quarter of 2018. The position will be administratively located both at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and the place of work will be at both Institutes.
The salary follows the regulations set by the Norwegian State for the category of researcher in code 1109 (current yearly gross salary 544 400 – 658 300 NOK) or in code 1110 (current yearly gross salary 607 700 – 695 500 NOK) depending on qualifications. There is a compulsory deduction of 2% of the salary to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
NVI offers membership in the State's pension fund with insurance schemes and favorable loan offers, flexible working time, a good working environment, possibility for nursery space and opportunity for rental of the institute’s mountain cabin. The Veterinary Institute has signed an agreement on the inclusive workplace (IA-company).
The State work force shall as far as possible reflect the diversity of the population. It is therefore a policy aim to achieve a balanced age and gender composition and recruiting people with immigrant background. People with an immigrant background are encouraged to apply for the position.
Further information
Further information on this position can be obtained by contacting the Project leader Karin Lagesen, mobile +47 91575916 or karin.lagesen@vetinst.no
Application
Applications must be sent electronically via the Institute’s application portal at https://www.vetinst.no/om-oss/ledige-stillinger
In addition to filling the online electronic application, candidates must provide electronically the following documents:
- A list of all relevant scientific publications in peer reviewed journals, conference papers and presentations, books chapters, etc. Copy of all certificates, diplomas relevant for evaluation
- Contact information for three individuals who could serve as references.
An introduction letter can be either attached or copy pasted into the application’s online system. Applicants can also choose to submit as an attachment a more detailed CV.
If you would like to opt-out from the entry on the public search list, this must be informed and justified in the application. Information may be made public even if you have asked not to be listed in the search list. You will be notified if the desire for reservation can not be granted.
Application ID: 26/18
Deadline: 2th July 2018
Søknadsfrist: 02.07.2018
Web: www.vetinst.no
Kontakt: Karin Lagesen (Project leader)
Telefon: +47 91575916
E-post: karin.lagesen@vetinst.no