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Postdoctoral research fellowship position in Statistical genetics and big data

Deadline: 19.06.2023

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.


Norment: Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research is a part of the Institute of Clinical Medicine (Klinmed). 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.

NORMENT/Centre of Precision Psychiatry

At NORMENT/Centre of Precision Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, there is a postdoctoral research fellowship position available. The Centre runs a series of multidisciplinary studies involving psychiatric hospital departments in Oslo and several research groups at the University of Oslo. The purpose is to develop tools and knowledge for precision medicine in psychiatry, building on advanced statistical methods for analysis of large-scale human genetic data, and better understanding how biological, psychological and environmental factors contribute to severe mental disorders treatment and outcome.

The Centre has access to a large database (NORMENT 2050) of pharmacological, clinical, and cognitive variables, genotyping and sequencing data, and MRI brain imaging data on patients with severe mental disorders. In addition, we actively collaborate with large international consortia, particularly Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) and the ENIGMA consortium. The Centre also has 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 integrated with the Precision Psychiatry Analytical Group (https://www.med.uio.no/klinmed/english/research/groups/precision-psychiatry/index.html) and focused on multivariate analysis of these large-scale datasets using novel statistical tools to better understand polygenic architectures of mental illnesses.

For more information here.

Job description

  • The postdoctoral 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 candidate is expected to collaborate closely with an extended inter-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians.

The fellow will be key scientific personnel in the project. The post-doctoral fellow will work at NORMENT/Centre for Precision Psychiatry. 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 main purpose of postdoctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their disciplines.

Guidelines for appointments to postdoctoral research fellowships at the University of Oslo may be obtained here.

The position is funded for three years.

Qualification requirements

Applicants should have doctoral degree (PhD) in statistical genetics, medicine, molecular genetics, applied mathematics, computer 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 ideal candidate:

  • Is ambitious and highly motivated for pursuing a career in science
  • Has a strong background in statistical genetics, data modeling, programming and large-scale data-analysis, and is interested in method development and application
  • Is goal oriented and enjoys working within a cross-disciplinary team
  • Has a strong command of English

We offer

  • We can offer an exciting research environment with a multidisciplinary profile and large opportunities for academic development.
  • Salary NOK 557 100 - 635 400 per annum depending on qualifications
  • Favorable pension arrangements
  • Attractive welfare arrangements

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 funded by The Research Council of Norway will be evaluated for a three-year position as a Researcher (SKO 1109).

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

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