Job description

A temporary position as Researcher in Clinical Nutrition is available at Department of Nutrition, for a period of 2.5 years from 1 July 2021. The position is connected to the project «Dietary prevention of cholesterol-induced trained immunity in early atherosclerosis”, financed by Throne Holsts Stiftelse.

We are seeking a candidate with a strong professional record, and with extensive knowledge in nutrition (clinical nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, and molecular nutrition), cardiovascular diseases, lipid metabolism, immunology, genetics (genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics), biostatistics and bioinformatics, and programming. The candidate will be responsible for data analyses in the above-mentioned project. One of the goals of the project is to identify a priori and a posteriori dietary patterns that associate with biological markers of cholesterol-induced trained immunity in a hypercholesterolemic (but healthy) population (n = 240). In this work, the candidate will use biological markers, including whole-genome mRNA expression data derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs), as well as both targeted and untargeted metabolomics data.

More about the position

This project is interdisciplinary, and includes several collaborators, both locally at the Department of Nutrition, in addition to national and international collaborators. Because the project is part of a series of work packages, it borders on multiple sub-projects. The candidate will be involved in several of these and is expected to be a major resource to the affiliated research group. This includes (but is not limited to) assistance with biostatistics and bioinformatical analysis, and programming.

We seek a highly motivated, creative and energetic candidate that is expected to take active part in the research cooperation within the project.

A successful candidate will have the following tasks:

• Responsibility for carrying out the project described above.
• Responsibility for data analysis.
• Develop nutrition data science courses and workshops
• Write scientific manuscripts.
• Present scientific work both locally and at national and international conferences and congresses.
• Collaborate with local, national, and international collaborators within the project.

We seek a candidate with high ambitions and high quality of their research, teaching and communication. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to create and maintain a warm and welcoming research environment is significant.

Qualification requirements

• Be authorized clinical nutritionist (klinisk ernæringsfysiolog) with a doctoral degree (PhD) in nutrition.
• Document a strong academic background in nutrition science.
• Have extensive knowledge in nutrition (clinical nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, and molecular nutrition), with special emphasis on cardiovascular diseases, lipid metabolism, immunology, genetics (genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics), biostatistics and bioinformatics, and programming.
• Exhibit strong pedagogical skills.
• Have solid ability to create and lead research projects.
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Norwegian.

Scientific production in the current nutrition research field will be emphasized.

Personal skills

• Applicants will be evaluated based on professional and personal suitability. We seek a person with the following characteristics:
• Responsible, accurate and independent.
• Strong dedication and motivation to carry out the project
• Organized and efficient.
• Must be able to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• Committed, ambitious and hardworking.
• High working capacity
• Good communication and social skills
• Good collaboration skills

We offer

• Salary NOK 526 000 - 586 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Research (position code 1109)
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest).
• CV (complete list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other qualifying activities).
• A complete list of publications.
• Academic works (up to five publications) that are particularly relevant for the position. The candidate should briefly specify his/her contribution to these publications and the impact of the findings.
• PhD Diploma and relevant certificates.
• Two-to-three reference persons (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

See regulations on terms of employment, as well as guidelines for employment in research positions at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

• Professor Kirsten B. Holven, phone number: 47-22851361; e-mail: k.b.holven@medisin.uio.no

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