PhD scholarship within bioinformatics and hologenomics
Deadline: 13.06.2022
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 300 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.
About The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) employs about 160 people. Currently about 50 PhD students are enrolled into our PhD program. KBM represents a broad range of scientific fields encompassing basic natural sciences such as microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry as well as the application of these towards food chemistry, technology and safety, biotechnology, bioprocessing and environmental issues. The Faculty is responsible for education, research and information within our fields of expertise and also has state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform research within these fields. KBM collaborates in networks and research projects both nationally and internationally.
Interested in disentangling the symbiotic relationship between host animals and microbes using genomics and data analysis?
About the position
The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3-year PhD–position in bioinformatics, with the possibility of extension for up to one year.
In the last decade, there has been a fundamental change in how we perceive the biology and underlying genetic properties of complex organisms; from looking at individuals as isolated genetic entities to recognizing the relevance of their associated microorganisms. The new research field of hologenomics relies on the generation and analysis of host genomic and microbial metagenomic data to detect interactions between them. However, we are currently lacking computational methods and software that can integrate the multi-layered data input of hologenomics to identify host-microbiome interactions.
The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.
Main tasks
Develop network-based methods to integrate and analyze omics data (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) from hosts and microbial communities.
Use network comparison to identify the effect on host-microbiota systems of environmental perturbations such as feed additives.
Integrate pathway information as well as protein-protein and protein-DNA predictions to infer interactions networks.
Mature the developed methods into software that can be used by the research community and apply the software to analyze diverse hologenomics datasets.
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.
Competence
The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree or a cand.med.vet. degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.
Required academic competence:
Master’s degree in bioinformatics, genomics or a related field.
Required experiences:
Fluent programming skills in at least one language (preferably R).
Analysis of large-scale genomics data, preferably omics-data.
Desired experiences:
Network-based analysis of multi-omics data
Inference of regulatory networks and pathway analysis.
Development of reproducible research using tools such as git, markdown, etc.
You need to have:
Enthusiasm and talent for scientific research.
A love for writing academic text
Ability to work and collaborate in a multidisciplinary research team.
Proficiency in both written and spoken English.
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 491.200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Application deadline: 13.06.2022
In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.
Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.
Note: Applications without a cover letter that clearly explains why the candidate is qualified and motivated for the position will not be considered.
The following documents must be attached to the application:
Motivation letter (maximum 1 page): Please note that applications that lack a motivation letter clearly stating why the candidate is qualified and motivated for this project will be disregarded.
Complete CV
Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English
Names and contact details for two references
Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works)
