Ledig stilling på Universitetet i Oslo

Blindern og Urbygningen (Foto: Wikimedia og Colourbox)

Post-doctoral research fellowship in statistical data modeling

Deadline: 05.10.2020

About the Centre of Excellence (CoE) NORMENT

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 Institute of Clinical Medicine (Klinmed) is one of three institutes under the Faculty. Klinmed is responsible for the Faculty's educational and research activities at Oslo University Hospital and Akershus University Hospital. With about 800 employees spread over approximately 425 man-labour years, Klinmed is the university's largest institute. Our activities follow the clinical activity at the hospitals and are spread across a number of geographical areas.

At the Institute of Clinical Medicine, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) NORMENT - University of Oslo, there is a post-doctoral research fellowship position available. The CoE NORMENT runs a multicenter study involving all psychiatric hospital departments in Oslo and several research groups at the University of Oslo (UiO). The purpose is to develop advanced statistical methods for analysis of large-scale human genetic data, and to study how biological/genetic, psychological and environmental factors contribute to severe mental disorders.

The CoE NORMENT has used their infrastructure to collect a large database of clinical and neuropsychological variables, genotyping and sequencing data, and MRI brain imaging data on patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In addition, we actively collaborate with large international consortia, particularly Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) and the ENIGMA consortium. . NORMENT also has an access to the data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort study (MoBa), the UK Biobank, and the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. The current position is focused on multivariate analysis of these large-scale datasets using novel statistical tools to better understand polygenic architectures of mental illnesses.

For more information: https://www.med.uio.no/norment/english/

Job description

  • The post-doctoral fellow will work in a multidisciplinary team with clinicians as well as with experts in statistics, applied mathematics, big data analysis and computer science
  • The research will involve statistical genetics, imaging genetics, bioinformatics, machine learning and Bayesian data analysis, molecular genetics, and novel biostatistical methods
  • The goal is to quantitatively characterize the genotype-phenotype mapping, using datasets from whole genome studies
  • The work will involve development and application of multivariate models to identify and quantify the genetic variations contributing to development of human disorders, with a focus on psychiatric disorders
  • The research will be carried out as an integrated part of the Precision Psychiatry, Molecular Genetics, Multimodal Imaging and Biological Psychiatry groups (https://www.med.uio.no/norment/english/research/groups/index.html)
  • The candidate is expected to collaborate closely with an extended inter-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians at the Centre

The main purpose of post-doctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their disciplines.

Guidelines for appointments to post-doctoral research fellowships at the University of Oslo may be obtained at:

http://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/regulations-employment-conditions-postdoc.html

Qualification requirements

Applicants should have doctoral degree (PhD) in statistical genetics, medicine, molecular genetics, applied mathematics, compute science or equivalent. It is acceptable if the degree will be formally obtained within 3 months from the deadline of the present call. The ideal candidate is familiar statistical genetics, has strong programming skills and hands-on experience with high performance computing and big data analysis, has knowledge of statistics, applied mathematics and machine learning, and a genuine interest in applying and developing analytical methodology for this project. Background in DNA/RNA sequencing and microarray data analysis , bioinformatics and genetic engineering among others, can also be useful. Clinical background will be an advantage. How personally suitable the candidate is will also play a role.

The fellow will be key scientific personnel in the project. The post-doctoral fellow will work at the CoE NORMENT. The project is based on collaboration with University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and deCODE Genetics, Iceland. The position may involve a period working abroad.

The ideal candidate:

  • Is ambitious and highly motivated for pursuing a career in science
  • Has a strong background in modeling, computation, and large scale data-analysis, and interested in application of the methods
  • Goal oriented and enjoys working within a cross-disciplinary team
  • A strong command of English is required

The position is funded for three years.

How to apply

The application must include:

  • Application letter including motivation for applying for the position
  • CV (summarizing education, relevant work experience, grants etc)
  • A complete list of publications and academic work
  • Contact details of 2-3 references

After the initial screening process, short-listed candidates may be asked to submit selected publications, educational certificates and transcripts of records. The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system "Jobbnorge". 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, and the quality of the project as well as the candidate's motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Candidates who have previously completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellow period at UiO or funded by The Research Council of Norway will be evaluated for a three-year position as a Researcher (SKO 1109)

We offer

  • We can offer an exciting research environment with a multidisciplinary profile and large opportunities for academic development.
  • Salary NOK 523 200 - 594 400 per annum depending on qualifications
  • Favorable pension arrangements
  • Attractive welfare arrangements

Contact information

For more information about the project:

  • Professor Ole Andreassen, phone + 47 99038893, o.a.andreassen@medisin.uio.no,
  • Professor Anders M. Dale amdale@ucsd.edu
  • Professor Srdjan Djurovic srdjan.djurovic@medisin.uio.no

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.No one can be appointed as Postdoctoral Fellow for more than one specified period at the same institution.

Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list.

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Apply for position

Powered by Labrador CMS