PhD Research Fellowship in Reproductive Biotechnologies
Deadline: 25.09.2024
Publisert
Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN University) is home to over 16,000 students and 1,500 employees, and has campuses in Lillehammer, Hamar, Elverum, Rena, Evenstad and Blæstad.
INN University aspires to build strong and enduring academic and research environments that will spearhead regionally, nationally and internationally. We are developing a new and better institution with high academic and pedagogical quality, aiming at achieving university accreditation by 2025.
The position will run for 3 years, starting in January 2025. The candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in applied ecology and biotechnology, with workplace at the Institute of Biotechnology at Campus Hamar.
About the project
The PhD project will be part of a large six years research project with funding from The Research Council of Norway, Zygote, with partners from the breeding and biotechnology industry (Geno, Norsvin, SpermVital, Cryogenetics, Klosser Innovation, NCE Heidner Biocluster) as well as the scientific partners Oslo University Hospital, SINTEF, OsloMet, SimulaMet and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
The research activities in Zygote are defined based on the companies' needs and will address new aspects from the research front. The main goal is to create a robust internationally competitive research and knowledge-based environment within sustainable breeding and applied biotechnology in the Inland to give the regional business community access to increased competence and research capacity for competitive advantages.
Zygote has four focus areas:
to elucidate physiological peripubertal mechanisms for accurate and early selection of individuals mature for sperm, milt and oocyte production
to establish new methods, knowledge and tools for identifying ejaculates from different species and breeds that are compatible with good fertilization using different processing methods for semen and milt
to generate new knowledge on oocyte and embryo quality parameters
to improve existing and develop new preservation methods for gametes and embryos
The species to be included in Zygote are cattle, swine and different fish species.
The PhD project will be focused on embryology including IVF and molecular methods.
Qualifications
It is a requirement that the PhD research fellow qualifies for admission to the University's PhD programme in applied ecology and biotechnology. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered. The final plan of the doctoral education must be approved and agreed upon no later than three months after starting in the position.
To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant must normally have a minimum master's degree or master's level (120 credits, §3 master's in the Norwegian system) or equivalent education, within reproductive biotechnology or embroyology, or other relevant subject areas.
Furthermore, you must have a strong academic background from your previous studies, ie. the average grade should normally be B or better from the master's program (120 credits) or equivalent education. Calculation of the average grade is based on the credits for each course and for the master's thesis. Applicants with weaker grades than what is normally required for admission must document that they will be able to complete a doctoral degree. In cases where the education has been approved with the use of the grades passed / failed, the applicant is admitted after an individual assessment. If you have education from abroad, you can contact NOKUT for approval of your education, alternatively a similar assessment will be made in connection with the application process.
The position will require:
knowledge in the biology of fertility and preservation technologies
laboratory skills in reproductive biotechnology e.g. in vitro fertilization, ICSI, sperm analyses
Additional knowledge in molecular biology, statistics and/or bioinformatics will count positively:
methods in molecular biology e.g. epigenetics
experience with statistical programs e.g. R, Graphpad
Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the following attributes:
Professional and personal prerequisites for completing the doctoral degree program within the employment period.
The ability to work independently and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
The ability to work in a structured manner and having a large work capacity.
Language proficiency:
Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must document English competence through an approved test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).
Evaluation of candidates for the position will be based on a total assessment of educational background, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation and other eligibility requirements, as defined in the advertisement. A further preference will be given to candidates with good teamwork characteristics and communication skills and documented scientific publications or other writing experience.
The position and associated tasks must be carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations for government employees, including also the Act on Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology, etc. Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, come into conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to take up the position at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. Necessary approvals must be maintained throughout the employment relationship.
How to apply
Your application must include:
Application cover letter that summarizes the candidate’s motivation and how they meet the position requirements.
CV (summary of education and work experience).
Copies of academic certificates/transcripts.
List of minimum 3 references with full contact information.
A complete list of scientific and other publications.
Attachments must be uploaded as separate files. If the attachments exceed 30 MB, they must be compressed prior to upload. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all attachments are uploaded. Documents submitted after expiry of the deadline will not be considered in the evaluation of your application.
We offer
A place in an ambitious and highly international environment.
A challenging and exciting project with opportunities for personal and scientific development.
An independent and flexible work setting that the successful candidate may to a large extent influence her/himself. Daily contact with inspiring skilled colleagues.
A campus setting surrounded by forests and mountains with opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Position is paid and placed in position code 1017, PhD candidate in the Government Salary Scale
Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension, with among other things, good pension and insurance schemes.
For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here.
General information
For further details about the position, please contact:
Professor Elisabeth Kommisrud, email: elisabeth.kommisrud@inn.no
HINN believes that there is strength in inclusion and diversity. We desire employees with different competencies, professional combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to an even better way of solving problems. We will facilitate for employees who need assitance to realise their goals. Relevant adaptations can be, for example, technical aids, adapting furniture or adjusting routines, work tasks and working hours.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in the CV or immigrant background, we shall call at least one applicant in each of these categories for an interview. In order to be considered as an applicant in these groups, the applicants must meet certain requirements. You can read more on this here.
We encourage applicants to tick in Jobbnorge if they have a disability, a gap in their CV or immigrant background. The ticks in the jobseeker portal form the basis for anonymised statistics that all state-owned enterprises report in their annual reports
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
