Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Global challenges regarding energy and climate change, the environment, health, food safety, technology and renewable solutions, use and conservation of land and natural resources, and development of the bio-economy, requires greater effort. NMBU is well equipped to conduct further research in these fields. NMBU's expertise spans entire value chains and includes both basic and applied research.

On 1 January 2014, the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science and the University of Life Sciences merged and became –NMBU, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. NMBU has 1700 employees and 5200 students, and is currently located on two campuses – Ås, about 30 km south of Oslo, and Adamstuen in Oslo. In 2020, the new research- and education-building for veterinary science will be completed and all of NMBU will then be located at Campus Ås.

Further information about NMBU is available on www.nmbu.no

The Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty for Biosciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3 year PhD–position related to animal breeding and genetics.

The Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences provides fundamental, innovative research and practical solutions to improve productivity and sustainability across the agriculture and aquaculture sector. Currently, disciplines within the department include Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, Ethology and Animal Environment, Breeding and Quantitative Genetics, and Genome Biology.

The main objective of the Faculty of Biosciences is to contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture and food production systems through basic and applied research on plants and animals including fish (aquaculture). The faculty houses Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE) and the research center for Research-based Innovation (SFI) – Foods of Norway.

The faculty is responsible for bachelor- and master programmes in Biology, Animal Science and Plant Science, and international master programmes in Agroecology, Plant Science, Aquaculture, Animal Breeding Genetics and Feed Manufacturing Technology. PhD programmes include Animal Science and Aquaculture, and Plant Sciences. There are currently 480 bachelor and master students, and 90 PhD students, enrolled in these programmes. The faculty has approximately 220 permanent and temporary scientific employees, including technicians, and 18 administrative positions.

Research project

The PhD candidate will work on estimation of genetic variation in measures of individual recombination rates in animal and fish.

The PhD position is offered for 3 years. The candidate will be based at NMBU, Campus Ås; however, a research stay at one of our collaborating universities abroad is strongly encouraged.

Main tasks

• Evaluation of methods for estimation of individual recombination rates.
• Development of a pipeline for analysis of individual recombination rates.
• Estimation of genetic variation in individual recombination rates in dairy cattle.
• Estimation of genetic variation in individual recombination rates in pigs.
• Estimation of genetic variation in individual recombination rates in salmonids.
• Assessing the implications of genetic variation in individual recombination rates.

The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.

Academic qualifications

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are at master's degree level. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies, and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.

The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications

• An MSc degree or the equivalent in animal breeding and genetics, genomics, or a related discipline.
• Appropriate research experience and/or training in analysis of genomic data.

Desired Academic qualifications

• Proficiency in programming, in R, python, or similar and knowledge of bioinformatic tools.
• Experience with quantitative genetic analyses.
• Experience with handling and analyzing genotyping or sequence data.

Personal skills

Required personal skills

• Good communicative and collaborative skills
• Well organized and in line with mutual deadlines

Desired personal skills

• Experience with team work
• Constructive and open-minded

NMBU offers:

• An interdisciplinary and inclusive environment that provides exciting research- and development opportunities.
• Daily contact with inspiring students and skilled colleagues.
• Various welfare schemes.
• Beautiful surroundings just outside Oslo.
• Kindergarten for children of employees

Remuneration

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow, wage framework 20 (salary grade 36-62). PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 51 (NOK 443.900,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

Further information

For further information, please contact:

• Professor Peer Berg, E-mail Peer.Berg@nmbu.no +4767232891 or
• Professor Sigbjørn Lien, E-mail Sigbjorn.Lien@nmbu.no +4767232702

Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application deadline: 31st July 2018

Applications should include (electronically) a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, full publication list, copies of degree certificates and transcripts of academic records (all certified), and a list of two persons who may act as references (with phone numbers and e-mail addresses). Publications should be included electronically within the application deadline. The relevant NMBU Department may require further documentation, e.g. proof of English proficiency.

Printed material which cannot be sent electronically should be sent by surface mail to Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, within 31st July 2018. Please quote reference number 18/03751.

If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

A compulsory contribution of 2 % is made to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. A good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of gender, physical ability or cultural background. The workplace will if necessary be facilitated for persons with disabilities.

According to the Freedom of Information Act § 25 the list of applicants for this position may be made public irrespective of whether the applicant has requested that his/her name be withheld.

Apply for this job