The University of South-Eastern Norway, USN, is one of Norway’s largest higher education institutions, with around 18,000 students and 1,900 employees across eight different campuses.
We offer studies, research and knowledge dissemination, all targeting various professions and working life and with a high level of quality internationally. Our goal as a University is to create value both for the individual student and for business and commerce, the public sector and society in general. We achieve this by utilising the best tools we have: education and research.
USN is a University with a strong social commitment where studies and working life are integrated. At USN, we focus on practice-relevant, profession-oriented and applied research and education.
The students shall benefit from innovative educational methods and challenging studies closely associated with society's requirements and needs.
They will learn how to adapt to a society and working life that is constantly changing. The University shall meet major social challenges with knowledge and expertise, helping to promote practical solutions, structural changes and new ways of thinking. USN’s academic activities shall be embodied by a clear dedication to the UN’s sustainable development goals. The University aims to realise this main profile in close cooperation with society and working life.
For more information on USN, please go to www.usn.no
The Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (HS)have a vacancy for a position as PhD Research Fellow in Ecology of Vision
About the position
USN has a vacancy for a 100% positions as PhD Research Fellow at the National Centre for Optics, Vision and Eye Care from 01.05.2022 or 01.06.2022. The position is formally attached to the Department of Optometry, Radiography and Lighting Design; The place ofemployment is at the University’s Campus Kongsberg.
The employment period will be three years of full time with no teaching obligations, and there is a premise for employment that the PhD Research Fellow is enrolled in USN’s PhDprogram in Ecology within three months of accession in the position.
The vacant position is part of a collaboration between the Colour Vision and Retinal Imaging Laboratory headed by Prof. Rigmor C. Baraas, the Laboratoy of Evolutionary and Behavioral Ecology headed by Prof. Andreas Zedrosser. Additional project team members will be Ass. Prof. Mona Sæbø, USN, and Prof. Christine Wildsoet, UC Berkeley School of Optometry (USA). For further information concerning the position and project, please contact Prof. Baraas, rigmor.baraas@usn.no.
About the PhD-project
Ecology of vision aims to identify inter-relationships between vision, evolutionary processes, mammalian and human behaviour, and the environment. The mammalian eye and retina have evolved specific adaptations to cope with the light conditions encountered in their environment, including photoreceptor/pigment types and sensitivities, eye size, and a network of circadian clocks synchronized to the day/night cycle. In this PhD project, in-vivo ocular measures will be combined with histology reconstruction, and molecular analyses to provide new insights into how natural seasonal variations in natural daylight rhythms affect eye growth in large mammals and humans.
Qualifications
Applicants to the PhD position must have a Master’s degree in optometry, biology, or another relevant field. The applicant must have gained the degree within the application deadline. It is an advantage that the applicant has both vision science and molecular biological and genetic knowledge (practical and theoretical), as well as knowledge and experience with biotechnology. It is a requirement that the successful applicant is granted admission to the university’s doctoral programme in Ecology within three months of accession in the position. For admission to the Programme the weighted average grade B or higher is usually required.
Applicants must have an excellent command of written and spoken English and preferably at least one Scandinavian language. Previous experience with publications is advantageous but nor required.
The candidate should have competency, willingness and interest in learning the relevant topics of the PhD project and associated areas such as experimental design, laboratory and research methods, as well as statistics/data science.
The candidate must have the ability to work independently and at the same time have the motivation to share knowledge and take part in team work. Personal suitability for the post will be emphasised.
Co-operation between staff members across disciplines and campuses is an integrated part of the working atmosphere at the University of South-Eastern Norway. The candidate must be motivated and demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively within a team and in a collegiate manner to formulate and realise common objectives.
We offer
A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
Opportunity for physical activities within working hours
Salary
PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 491 200 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position.
[In special cases, employment in code 1378 may be considered.]
A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.
Other information
The Academic Appointments Board for PhD Research Fellowships is responsible for the appointment. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. The candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to an interview.
The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that approved work permit is a prerequisite for the employment.
According to its human resources policy, the University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons with a background as an immigrant.
The University contributes to the Inkluderingsdugnaden (a voluntary scheme to promote inclusion), and it is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. We therefore encourage qualified applicants with disabilities to apply for the post. The University will facilitate the workplace for employees with disabilities.
Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.
Contact information
For more information about the position, please contact: Professor Rigmor C. Baraas, phone +47 928 366 59
For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact: Ruth Helen Haugerud epost/tlf: ruth.haugerud@usn.no / 47 35 95 26 17
How to apply
The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side – “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post).
The following documents shall be attached to the online application:
Transcripts and diplomas of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS)
Other relevant certificates (if applicable, must be specified)
A motivation letter
Documentation of english proficiency
Any scientific publications and a list of these
Three references (contact information)
Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified.
The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline.
The University has been awarded a Charter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.
