Job description

Applications are invited for a 3 year position in a Research Fellowship as PhD Candidate in systems neuroscience to be based in the research group of Associate Professor Torkel Hafting at the Section of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IMB), University of Oslo.

In our laboratory, we study neural circuits underlying perception and memory formation in awake behaving animals. The aim of the current project is to determine how social and spatial information are integrated in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. The candidate will use state-of-the-art electrophysiological recordings combined with optogenetic manipulations of brain activity and measurement of animal behavior. The candidate will have close collaborations with other members in the lab. We offer broad training possibilities in the required experimental methods within a stimulating academic environment.

Starting date: no later than 1st of November, 2021.

More about the position

The fellowship is devoted to work on a project funded by the Research Council of Norway entitled ‘Integration of social and spatial information in the hippocampal formation’. The research fellow will focus on measuring and perturb neural activity of behaving animals using advanced instrumentation and genetic tools in combination with behavioral tasks. The research fellow must take part in the Medical Faculty’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information, please see our link.

The IMB has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. The candidate will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Personal skills

We are searching for a highly motivated candidate with strong interest in brain circuits and memory formation.

• The research fellow should be able to work independently and structured, while at the same time engage in close collaborations
• The preferred candidate has documented experience for applying methods for in vivo investigations of brain function in animal models
• Candidates with experience with stereotactic surgeries, optogenetics, in vivo imaging or electrophysiology will be prioritized
• Basic skills in data analysis and programming (Matlab, Python, R or similar) is seen as an advantage

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in Neuroscience or Physiology, minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

We offer

• A vibrant international research environment.
• Salary NOK 491 200 – 534 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
• 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

• cover letter statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work including list of publications)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• documentation of english proficiency
• list of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. 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).

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship 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.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

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

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

• Associate professor: Torkel Hafting, torkel.hafting@medisin.uio.no

Apply for this job