Job description

A position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow is available at Section for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Department of Biosciences.

The candidate will work in the group of Senior lecturer Hans-Petter Hersleth on a project financed by the Norwegian Research Council through the NANO 2021 program. The group focuses on understanding redox protein systems by combining biochemical and biophysical methods, where protein crystallography is one of the central methods.

The project focuses on understanding enzyme mechanisms for selected haem- and flavoproteins with protein crystallography by combining both X-ray and neutron diffraction with other spectroscopic methods. The project will especially focus on building competence in the neutron part of protein crystallography. The project will both involve protein expression, purification, crystallisation, structure solving and spectroscopic characterisation. The position can include teaching in protein biochemistry.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to three years (10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities) or for a period of up to four years (25 % of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities) contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and teaching needs at the Department.

Starting date no later than 01.10.2020.

Postdoctoral fellows who are appointed for a period of four years are expected to acquire basic pedagogical competency in the course of their fellowship period within the duty component of 25 %.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo. Likewise, a person can only receive one postdoctoral fellowship from the Research Council of Norway (RCN).

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition is to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in structural biology or biochemistry. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment.
• The candidate must have practical experience with protein expression, protein purification, protein crystallisation, protein crystallography and protein spectroscopy.
• The preferred candidate must have experience with metalloproteins or other cofactor proteins.
• It is desirable if the candidate have practical experience with teaching of biochemical methods.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language

Personal skills

• Self-driven and able to work independently
• Team player with good social skills
• Structured and well-organised
• Positive attitude and solution oriented
• Good communication skills, oral and written (e.g. write scientific papers)

We offer

• Salary NOK 523 200 – 605 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• A complete list of publications and full-text PDF of up to 3 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. 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 as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

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.

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

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

Contact information

For further information please contact:

• Senior lecturer Hans-Petter Hersleth, phone: +47 228 54631, e-mail: h.p.hersleth@ibv.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system please contact: HR adviser Nina Holtan; phone: +47 22854424, e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no.

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