LEDIG STILLING VED UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Position: evolution of neurotransmitter receptors

Deadline: 07.05.2021

University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.


Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology (Sars Centre) is situated at the Marineholmen campus together with other research institutes at the University. The Sars Centre is partner with European Molecular Biological Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany and is organized directly under Rector at UiB. – Read more here.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow position

There is a vacancy for a 3,5-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at the Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology (www.sars.no/) in the research group of Dr. Timothy Lynagh. The position is funded by Sars Centre core funding. The Sars Centre belongs to the University of Bergen, and is a partner of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). The place of work will be at the Sars Centre. The preferred starting time is July/August 2021.

About the project/work tasks:

Work in the Lynagh group focuses on the evolution, function, and pharmacology of ligand-gated ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors that mediate rapid communication between neurons, using computational and experimental approaches. We are especially interested in excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in model organisms such as larvaceans and worms, from which we can gain valuable experimental and evolutionary insights into neurobiology and pharmacology. This project will examine the conservation of excitatory neurotransmitter receptors using comparative genomics and measurement of gene expression in model organisms, such as the larvacean Oikopleura dioica. Furthermore, the project aims to manipulate these receptors in vivo with genetics and measure receptor function in vitro with electrophysiology. It is expected that the successful applicant also collaborates with other members of the workgroup, including students and postdocs.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

  • The applicant must hold a Ph.D. (at least equivalent to a Norwegian Ph.D.) in genetics, evolutionary developmental biology, or physiology (or a related field) or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the Ph.D. has been awarded
  • Evidence for proficiency in investigating the evolution of gene families is essential. This should come in the form of previous publications in respected peer-reviewed journals e.g. using phylogenetics and measurement of gene expression to study evolution of a gene or protein family
  • Experience with in situ hybridization in invertebrate model organisms is essential
  • Experience in molecular biology (e.g. cloning, site-directed mutagenesis) is essential
  • Experience with electrophysiology is highly favourable
  • Evidence for collaborating with others and teaching junior lab members will be viewed favourably
  • Your interest in the work of the Lynagh group, and how your skillset matches the position, must be explained, in English, in your cover letter
  • Some weekend duties may be required depending on project development, e.g for cell or animal culture
  • Proficient written and spoken English is essential, and evidence for communicating results effectively (e.g. writing articles, presenting work at conferences) will be viewed favourably

About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:

The position of postdoctoral research fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. The fixed-term period for this position is 3,5 years. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.

Upon appointment, applicants must submit a project proposal for the qualifying work including a work schedule. It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.

We can offer:

  • A good and professionally challenging working environment
  • Salary at pay grade 61 upon appointment (code 1352 / pay range 24, alternative 5), currently NOK 545.300 gross p.a. A higher salary may be offered to candidates with exceptional qualifications. Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position
  • Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
  • Good welfare benefits

Applications in English must include:

  • A brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
  • The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be your main PhD supervisor
  • CV
  • Transcripts and diplomas and official confirmation that the doctoral thesis has been submitted
  • Relevant certificates/references
  • List of publications or other relevant scientific work

Please send your application with attachments electronically via JobbNorge by clicking on the button “Apply for this job”. The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at JobbNorge. Please note that applications will be assessed only with the information available in JobbNorge when the deadline expires. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all relevant attachments are submitted by the deadline.

Applications by e-mail only will not be considered.

Closing date for application: 7th May 2021.

General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained from:

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

We encourage women to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

Further information about our employment process can be found here.

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