Job description

At the Institute of Clinical Medicine, the CoE NORMENT, University of Oslo, there is a researcher position available. The CoE NORMENT runs a multicenter study involving all psychiatric hospital departments in Oslo and several research groups at the University of Oslo (UiO). The purpose is to study how biological/genetic, psychological and environmental factors contribute to severe mental disorders. The CoE NORMENT has used their infrastructure for clinical evaluations, neuropsychological testing, MRI brain imaging and biobanking to collect a large database. Specifically, we have collected a large number of genetic and brain imaging data on patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We are also actively collaborating with large international consortia, including ENIGMA and PGC, and the current project is focused on multivariate analysis of these and other large datasets, based on new genic annotation and pleiotropy enrichment methods.

The candidate will be key scientific personnel in the project. The researcher will work at the CoE NORMENT - in collaboration with Statistical Genetics Group at Oslo University Hospital/University of Oslo. The project is based on collaboration with University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and deCODE Genetics, Iceland. The position may involve a period working abroad.

The researcher will work in a project funded by the Research Council of Norway. The research will involve molecular genetics and biostatistical approaches, including data modeling of GWAS data via biostatistical methods. The goal is to quantitatively characterize the genotype-phenotype mapping, using datasets from whole genome studies. The work will involve multivariate models to identify and quantify the genetic contribution to development of human disorders, focusing on psychiatric disorders. The research will be carried out as an integrated part of both the Precision Psychiatry and Molecular Genetics as well as Multimodal Imaging and Biological psychiatry groups, and the candidate is expected to collaborate closely with an extended inter-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians at the Centre.

An important purpose of research positions is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

Applicants should have doctoral degree (PhD) in applied mathematics, statistics, bioinformatics, or equivalent. It is acceptable if the degree will be formally obtained within 3 months from the deadline of the present call. The ideal candidate is familiar with methodological expertise and applied experience with Bayesian statistics and multivariate modeling, machine learning methods or generalization performance, classification prediction, and a genuine interest in applying and developing analytical methodology for this project. Background in population genetics, big data analysis and bioinformatics, and computer science, can also be useful. How personally suitable the candidate is will also play a role.

The ideal candidate

• Is ambitious and highly motivated for pursuing a career in science
• Has a strong background in modeling, computation, and large scale data-analysis, and interested in application of the methods
• should have a documented experience with handling of large datasets
• have documented interest in psychiatric genetics
• Goal oriented and enjoys working within a cross-disciplinary team
• Personal skills will be emphasized. Especially, the candidate should be ambitious and responsible, and also have a great work capacity and enthusiasm for research.

• A strong command of English is required

The position is funded for two years.

We offer

• We can offer an exciting research environment with a multidisciplinary profile and large opportunities for academic development.
• Salary: NOK 497 000– 586 500 (paygrade 57-66 () depending on qualifications.
• Favorable pension arrangements
• Attractive welfare arrangements

Contactinformation

• Professor Ole Andreassen, phone + 47 990 38 893, o.a.andreassen@medisin.uio.no
• Professor Srdjan Djurovic , srdjan.djurovic@medisin.uio.no

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