Job description

Position as researcher in (meta)omics techniques development is available at the Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo.

Starting date no later than 1st of May 2021. The position will be for a period of 1 year, with possibilities for one additional year.

We are recruiting a researcher in the area of microbial ecology to work on the development of novel techniques combining microfluidics and molecular biology approaches at the Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo. The successful candidate will develop molecular tools, in particular the automatization of DNA based methods. The present position is part of two related projects – “auto-eDNA” funded by the Norwegian Environment Agency and a project funded by “UiO:Energy”. These projects aim to develop field-deployable, small-scale laboratory setups for detection of organisms using eDNA technology and metaproteomics based on microfluidic systems for the application in environmental monitoring and bioengineering.

The main goal of the projects is to establish molecular assays for meta’omics in collaboration with in-house sequencing platforms hosted by the Norwegian Sequencing Centre and UiO’s Proteomics Core facility; develop DNA-based approaches transferable to centrifugal microfluidics devices; and support the development of bioinformatics pipelines. The project has unique access to Hahn Schikard’s centrifugal microfluidics platform which will be further developed within the project. The auto eDNA project will be evaluated by January 2022 for funding for an additional year.

The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with Master and PhD students and postdoctoral fellows at the section of aquatic biology and toxicology (AQUA). The project also includes partners from governmental agencies (Norwegian Environment Agency), the private sector (eDNA solutions AB), and several Universities and Research Institutes including Research Institute Hahn Schickard, Germany; Norwegian University for Life Sciences, NMBU; University of Bern, Switzerland; and Luleå Technical University, Sweden. A Post Doc position focusing on the bioinformatics tool development for the project will be announced shortly. It is expected that the postdoc also take part in joint collaborative activities with our partners in Sweden, Switzerland and Germany. The candidate is expected to publish methodological or applied papers in high impact peer-reviewed scientific journals, and to present results at scientific conferences.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition is to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Experience with meta’omics’ (i.e. proteomics) and microfluidics (i.e. centrifugal) techniques is highly relevant regarding this lab-heavy position.

• Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent either in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology or Chemistry. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the application deadline. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• A qualified applicant should have competence and experience with one or preferably several of the following techniques: nucleic acid and protein extraction, qPCR, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, and microfluidics.
• Experience in functional and/or object-oriented bioinformatics programming in a Unix environment using languages such as R, Ruby, Python or C++ is desirable.
• Experience with High Performance Computing is an advantage, but not required.
• Relevant and significant scientific publications, at the level of the career status of the applicant.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Personal skills

• Highly motivated to combine relevant elements from microfluidics and molecular biology to address environmental health and protection questions.
• Self-motivation, excellent communication skills, ability to work and integrate well in an international working environment
• Ability to work independently and efficiently.

Personal suitability for the position will also be assessed.

We offer

• Salary NOK 526 000 – 535 200 per annum depending on qualifications (position code 1109)
• A unique project with multiple opportunities to develop own research themes and join common research projects.
• A friendly, professional and stimulating international working environment.
• Access to a network of top level national and international collaborators.
• Health insurance through membership with the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden) and very attractive welfare benefits.
• A generous pension agreement.
• Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• List of publications and unpublished work, and up to 3 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• A brief account (one page, as a separate file) of the applicant’s interest and motivation for applying for the position
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone 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).

Applicants will be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

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.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

• Professor Alexander Eiler, phone: +47 22 85 45 27, or cell phone +46 70 211 52 91, e-mail: alexander.eiler@ibv.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system Jobbnorge please contact: HR adviser Nina Holtan; phone: +47 22854424; e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no.

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