Job description

Applications are invited for a 3-year position as Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular Neuroscience in the Laboratory of Neural Development and Optical Recording (NDEVOR) headed by Professor Joel C. Glover at the Section of Physiology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo.

More about the position

The appointment is a full-time postdoctoral research position for a period of up to three years, devoted to carrying out a project entitled “Spatial transcriptomics and functional manipulation of brainstem-to-spinal cord projections”.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to carry out high quality research for publication targeting the aims of the research project. Completing the fellowship will qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

More about the project

The overall aim of the project is to characterize neuron populations in the brain stem that project to the spinal cord through single cell and spatial transcriptomics, and to use resulting molecular signatures to develop viral tools for the selective functional manipulation of these neurons. The project will contribute to a deeper understanding of how brainstem circuits control somatic and autonomic functions in the spinal cord. Research conducted by the postdoctoral fellow will target specific deliverables within the project and will be integrated into efforts by a larger research team, including national and international collaborators.

Research at NDEVOR focuses on the development and function of neural circuits related to motor control, with particular emphasis on the molecular specification of premotor neuron populations, the development of synaptic connectivity in motor circuits, and the analysis of function using electrophysiological, optical, genetic and behavioral approaches. The group also has a strong focus on adaptive plasticity in the spinal cord following spinal cord injury, and seeks to translate processes governing spinal cord development to potential treatments to promote spinal cord regeneration. NDEVOR pioneered anatomical, molecular and functional optical techniques for characterizing brainstem-to-spinal cord projections and spinal interneurons in avians and rodents. More information about NDEVOR can be found here: Neural Development and Optical Recording - Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (uio.no)

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Neuroscience or Molecular Biology, or another field with direct relevance to the project. The candidate’s doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation by the closing date of this announcement and appointment to the position requires that that the doctoral thesis has been defended and approved.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Prior experience with the following techniques and approaches are desirable and will be evaluated:

• Single cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics and bioinformatics
• Immunohistochemistry and other proteomic approaches
• qPCR and in situ hybridization
• Rodent surgery (particularly cranial) and intracerebral injection
• Chemogenetics and optogenetics

Personal skills

The candidate should be able to document convincingly, either through submitted written documents or by interview

• Strong motivation to implement and complete a 3-year postdoctoral research project
• Dedication and drive to conduct high quality research suitable for publication in top tier scientific journals
• Creativity, intellectual rigor, and ability to push a project to completion
• Ability to work well in a research team
• Ability to independently write and publish scientific articles

We offer

• Salary NOK 544 400 – 626 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)

• An internationally competitive and well-networked research 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

• Cover letter including statement of motivation, summary of previous scientific research, and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, prior positions, research and administrative experience and other qualifying activities)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• Complete list of publications
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relationship to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be submitted using our electronic recruiting system. Please follow the link: “Apply for this job”. Foreign applicants should attach an explanation of their University's grading system. All documents should be in (or translated to) English or a Scandinavian language.

Evaluation will emphasize the applicant’s statement of motivation, experience relevant to the project aims, academic and personal qualifications relevant to carrying out a postdoctoral research project, and recommendations from references. The highest ranking applicants will be invited to an interview.

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. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

• Professor Joel C. Glover, joel.glover@medisin.uio.no

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