Job description

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Catalysis available at Hylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular Sciences / Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than 01.10.2019

The fellowship is for a period of up to 4 years with 25 % compulsory work.

More about the position

The research project aims for the development of hybrid particle/field models for proteins and nucleic acids and biomembranes, under the supervision of Prof. Michele Cascella.

The objective of the project is to combine particle-based representations of biopolymers to density-functional based potentials in order to study the dynamics and self-assembly of large and complex moieties continuing the research lines as in: Bore et al, J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2018, 2019 and Kolli et al J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2018.

The core of the research will be about method development, and testing on model systems. The work will involve both fundamental development of the particle/field approach, and the construction and parameterization of physical models for various molecular systems. Possible applications in the second part of the PhD will include the simulation of the bacterial cell wall, lipopolysaccharides, and/or protein/DNA interactions.

The future student is expected to develop and apply cutting-edge computational tools to simulate large biological systems. Daily tasks will comprise both code development and optimization, and running molecular dynamics simulations on systems of relevance.

The research is an international collaboration with the research groups of Prof. Giuseppe Milano, Yamagata University, and Prof. Toshihiro Kawakatsu, Tohoku University, Japan.

The student will take part in all research and professional development activities of the National Centre of Excellence - Hylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular Sciences. The Hylleraas Centre is shared between the University of Oslo and the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, and it is devoted to the development and applications of molecular simulations methods for systems of chemical relevance, with strong focus on complex systems and matter/radiation interactions.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is a leading research faculty. 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.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, Computer science or similar fields.
• The candidate must have fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Documented training in either theoretical, computational chemistry, or condensed matter, molecular physics or close/equivalent is required
• Basic knowledge of statistical mechanics is required
• Programming skills are required
• Basic knowledge of parallel programming is highly desired
• Experience with molecular modeling and molecular dynamics codes is desired
• The applicant must be willing to spend periodic visits to collaborators abroad
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2019 to complete the final exam

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• fluent oral and written communication skills in English evt. and a Scandinavian language

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/application.html

We offer

• Salary NOK 449 400 – 505 800 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017).
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• 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 and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work 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, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. 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).

Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see: https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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:

• Professor Michele Cascella. e-mail: michele.cascella@kjemi.uio.no

For technical question regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Officer; Ørjan Pretorius, orjan.pretorius@mn.uio.no

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