Job description

A 3 year PhD position in genome and transcriptome bioinformatics is available at the Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo. The position is funded by the Research Council of Norway.

The laboratory of Professor Philippe Collas seeks a PhD candidate to address epigenomics and transcriptomics questions related to adipose tissue biology. The laboratory investigates mechanisms underlying changes in nuclear architecture and chromatin organization during differentiation of adipose stem cells into adipocytes. The lab’s research infrastructure includes a well-equipped cell and molecular biology laboratory and access to core facilities including advanced microscopy, high-throughput sequencing and proteomics.

More about the position

The project aims to investigate chromatin-associated mechanisms encoding the thermogenic capacity of human adipose tissue. The PhD fellow’s research will focus on transcriptomic, epigenetic and chromatin conformation changes associated with adipose stem cell differentiation into white or beige adipocytes. The project involves design and analyses of time-series bulk and single-cell RNA-seq data, integration with other –omics datasets, and temporal and spatial representation of findings. The candidate will be expected to participate in study design, present findings and write papers.

The selected candidate will interact with a cross-disciplinary team of cell biologists and bioinformaticians and will be expected to draw on expertise of the group in adipose tissue biology, stem cell biology, gene regulation, genome imaging, and high-throughput genomics.

The research fellow must take part in the 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.

The applicant must, in collaboration with her/his supervisor, within 3 months after employment, have worked out a complete project description to be attached to the application for admission to the doctoral program. For more information, please see our web site.

Qualifications, requirements and personal skills

Qualifications:

The selected candidate must have, and document in the application, prior experience in:

• genome and transcriptome bioinformatics, including ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis
• analysis of transcript variants using long-read sequencing
• building bioinformatics pipelines
• integration of multiple –omics datasets
• statistical genomics
• R and Python programming, and UNIX/Linux and Bash/shell scripting
• sequence data deposition in relevant repositories
• building and managing data structure

Knowledge of epigenetics, single-cell RNA-seq analysis approaches and pseudo-time series analyses will be a strong advantage. Prior experience in working in a mixed dry-lab / wet-lab environment will also be a strong advantage. The candidate will have a strong interest in adapting and implementing new bioinformatics methods

Requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in genome / transcriptome bioinformatics. A Master’s degree (120 ECTS) , minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent.The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS
• Documented experience in the aforementioned methodologies and techniques
• Proficiency in spoken and written English

Personal qualities:

• Enthusiasm and motivation for bioinformatics work
• Perseverance and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to take initiatives, work independently and collaborate in a cross-disciplinary environment
• Organization skills
• Strong communication skills with wet-lab biologists
• Suitability to the work environment

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Short listed applicants will be contacted for an on-site or online interview. A research seminar will be requested.

We offer

• A challenging, stimulating and attractive working environment
• A salary range from 491 200 to 534 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017)
• Favorable pension arrangements
• Attractive welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter including a section on motivation for this PhD position
• CV summarizing education, positions and relevant work experience
• List of publications, if relevant (do not append the publications)
• Copies of educational certificates and transcript records, with a translation into English if not already in English or in a Scandinavian language
• List of 3 references stating relation to the candidate, with contact information
• All application material must be in English

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).

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

Professor Philippe Collas, email: philc@medisin.uio.no, for information on the research group, see www.collaslab.org.

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