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 postdoctoral research fellow position at the Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology in the research group headed by Pr. Daniel Chourrout. The position is for a period of 2 years and is funded on a Pioneer Grant from the Norwegian Cancer Society (NO. 227930-2021). The Sars Centre belongs to the University of Bergen and is partner of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). The place of work will be at the Sars Centre. The preferred starting date is between September and December 2022.

About the project/work tasks:

Our laboratory recently revealed striking features in the genomes of larvaceans, a group of marine animals belonging to the sister group of vertebrates. One of the most extreme cases has been found in a species where over 90% of introns have variable borders that do not conform to the canonical splice sites, despite the presence of a conserved major spliceosome. Uncovering how the spliceosome can recognize a variety of splice sites will inform about the control of splicing accuracy, with potential benefits for understanding its role in human diseases.

The objective of the project is to gain mechanistic clues about splice site recognition in the larvaceans Oikopleura dioica and Fritillaria borealis. With their fast lifecycle and simple anatomy, these organisms offer convenient platforms to test how impaired splicing can impact development and genetic stability.

The successful candidate will deploy loss-of function experiments and biochemical approaches whose goals will be: 1) to reveal the role of spliceosome components, 2) to document the effect of impaired splicing on animal development, and 3) to establish possible links between non-canonical splicing and genome mutation rates. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with members of the host and partner laboratories.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded
• The applicant must have scientific knowledge relevant for the project. The candidate’s potential to design and carry out adequate experiments for the project is an important criterion that will be evaluated on track record
• The applicant must have a genuine scientific interest which includes an ambition to carry the project at the highest level
• Proficiency in both written and oral English, with a record of publication and presentations, is essential

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 2 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. For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work will take place in consultation with the project/centre manager. 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 62 upon appointment (code 1352 / pay range 24, alternative 6), currently NOK 563.900 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

Your application 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: 07 August 2022.

General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained from:

• Simon Henriet, tlf +47 55584292, email: [email protected]

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.

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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