Job description

Applicants are invited for a 3 year position as Postdoctoral Fellow in Genetic Epidemiology to be based at the Institute of Health and Society, the Medical Faculty, University of Oslo. Starting date at the latest December 1 2019.

The candidate will be part of a research team using genotyped and register linked data to investigate cardiovascular and non-communicable disease risk. The position is part of a project funded by the Norwegian Research Council (FRIPRO). The data comes from the The North-Trøndelag Health Study (The HUNT Study) and large-scale health register linkages. Depending on the qualification and preference of the candidate, the work will focus on either GWAS or register linked data. The genotyped data is from the North Trøndelag Health Survey including 70,000 individuals. The register data contains multigenerational data on the full Norwegian population linked to various health registers and surveys. The post holder will work closely with colleagues at the University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, The Norwegian Public Health Institute and the University of Bristol, and will have the opportunity for research visits

Please contact Dr Øyvind Næss oyvind.nass@medisin.uio.no (University of Oslo) if you wish to receive the entire project proposal and discuss the project. The successful candidate will work in a team of epidemiologists, statisticians and geneticists.

More about the position

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of up to three years (10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).

If possible two full 3 year positions will be offered to two succesfull candidates.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in preferably in statistics, bioinformatics, epidemiology, genetics or medicine/health related sciences. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Education or experience from the health sector will be an advantage.
• Experience in analysing genotype data using R and other programming languages is an advantage (for the position working on GWAS).

Personal skills

• You should be highly motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work with a diverse range of individuals and organisations.

We offer

• salary NOK 523 200 – 605 500 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• funds for research, travel, conference participation and dissemination, books and equipment
• academically stimulating working environment including the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment
• attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• a complete list of publications
• copies of 2 written works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee.
• list of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. International 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged, either in person in Oslo or via Skype.It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

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

Questions regarding the project and position:

• Associate Professor MD Øyvind Næss, email: oyvind.nass@medisin.uio.no

Practical information regarding the application process: HR Advisor Marie Cecilie Bakken, tlf 22 85 05 08

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