Ledig stilling på Universitetet i Oslo

Blindern og Urbygningen (Foto: Wikimedia og Colourbox)

Post-doctoral researcher in macroevolution and phenotypic evolution using the fossil record

Deadline: 10.06.2021

Natural History Museum

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.


The Natural History Museum at the University of Oslo is Norway’s most comprehensive natural history collection. For almost 200 years, specimens of animals, fungi, plants, rocks, minerals and fossils have been collected, studied and preserved here. The museum is located at Økern and in the beautiful Botanical Garden, which is not only popular for recreation, but is a scientific collection in itself.

Job description

A TWO-YEAR POSITION AS A POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW in macroevolution and phenotypic evolution using the fossil record is available at the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway.

The postdoctoral research fellow will be part of the European Research Council Consolidator Grant project macroevolution.abc (Abiota, biota and constraints in macroevolutionary processes) lead by Professor Lee Hsiang Liow (PI). The main goal of this project is to develop a new model system using bryozoans to provide answers to previously intractable questions in evolutionary biology.

This two-year position should begin 18 October 2021.

More about the position

The position will be based at the Natural History Museum (NHM), University of Oslo. The appointed post-doctoral researcher will carry out research at the Natural History Museum at its location in the Botanical Garden at Tøyen with the BLEED group. The candidate will work in closely with the PI.

The main goal of the macroevolution.abc project is to develop a new model system using bryozoans to provide answers to previously intractable questions in evolutionary biology. These questions include how population-level variation is related to macroevolutionary rates of evolution, and why we can expect to wait a million years for bursts of phenotypic change.

The post-doctoral research fellow will capitalize on the morphometric data that is being collected, both manually and using automated approaches, on several lineages of bryozoans; global and regional molecular phylogenies of bryozoans we are building; and a rich compilation of fossil occurrences we have assembled to answer the following research questions at the interface of micro- and macroevolution: How does phenotypic variation within populations affect speciation and extinction? Do aspects of demography like population size and reproductive biology have predictable consequences for evolutionary rate or phylogenetic inference? Can we predict macroevolutionary rates from microevolutionary rates? Are the rates of accumulation of lineages comparable across different geographical regions in the world and why do bryozoans have a contrarian latitudinal diversity pattern today?

The ideal candidate will make major contributions to the planned research, but will be encouraged to develop her/his own complementary lines of research.

Qualification requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD degree (or other corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree) in paleobiology or evolutionary biology. No previous experience with bryozoans is required, although familiarity with the marine fossil record is an added bonus. The ideal applicant is an early career scientist who is motivated, enthusiastic and open to collaborative work in our group. She/he should have excellent writing and programming skills and some experience with statistical modelling.

Applicants must show good interpersonal skills and be willing to work in close collaboration with the project PI and other members of the project team, as well as have the ability to work independently. Applicants should have a good publication record for their career stage.

A good command of English is required.

Please also refer to the regulations pertaining to the conditions of employment.

We offer

  • salary NOK 526 000 – 586 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
  • 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:

  • Application letter including a statement of interest, briefly summarizing your scientific work and interests and describing how you fit the description of the person we seek.
  • CV (summarizing education, positions, and other qualifying activities). Copies of educational certificates.
  • A complete list of publications and unpublished work, and up to 5 academic papers that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee.
  • 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).

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period 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

For questions regarding the recruitmentsystem: HR-Adviser Thomas Brånå: thomas.brana@nhm.uio.no.

Apply for position

Powered by Labrador CMS