Job description

A permanent position as Associate Professor in Fungal Evolutionary Genetics is available at the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo (UiO).

The successful candidate should be an active researcher with a strong publication record for an associate professorship within the field of fungal evolutionary biology and genetics. The successful applicant should be on an upward trajectory and is expected to have a strong potential to execute research projects at a high international level and to perform research in areas that will have synergistic effects with current research in the Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (EVOGENE) and other sections in the Department.

The candidate must be positioned to develop an internationally recognized, externally funded research program in fungal evolutionary biology and genetics, addressing fundamental questions in any area of the field including, but not limited to: population genetics/genomics, speciation and adaptation, functional genomics, comparative genomics, plant-microbe interactions, and molecular biology.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic and collaborative group of faculty whose research spans diverse areas of biology including plant developmental genetics / epigenetics, evolution, fungal ecology, bacterial pathogenesis and microbial biology. Candidates for the position should supply a research plan, which demonstrates how the applicant’s research will strengthen or create synergy effects with current research at the Department. Candidates are encouraged to contact current faculty members.

The Department of Biosciences has a number of core facilities including advanced confocal microscopes for still and live imaging, scanning- and transmission electron microscopes, mass spectrometry, high-throughput DNA sequencing and a newly established ancient DNA laboratory. Other common research facilities include a Phytotrone containment level S3 Controlled Environment Facility, an animal facility, as well as field stations. The Department is also partner of a new Centre for Bioinformatics. The EVOGENE section house fully equipped labs for molecular biology and the Microlabs biosafety level 2 infrastructure for microbial research with dedicated facilities for environmental and axenic cultures and fungal/non fungal eukaryotes.

The person appointed should be able to carry out research-based teaching within the area of fungal biology, microbiology, genetics and evolutionary biology at master and PhD levels and in related topics at the bachelor level. Supervision of master and PhD students also applies. As the Department's new bachelor program in bioscience includes programming and computational modelling among its core elements, it may be considered an advantage if the candidate can contribute to teaching based on computing in bioscience education.

Up to 50% of the working time will be devoted to teaching (including supervision of students), teaching related activities and administrative tasks at the Department and at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Lectures and tuition are given in Norwegian and English. Foreign language speakers will be expected to be able to teach in a Scandinavian language within two years after being hired.

Qualification requirements

• To qualify for appointment the applicant must have completed a PhD
• We are especially interested in candidates whose research combines experimental approaches using modern techniques and analytical methods to test theories or elucidate mechanisms using fungal systems
• Competence and experience in bioinformatics is desirable
• Applicants must document scientific qualifications in his/her field, equivalent to an Associate professor position
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language. Foreign language speakers will be expected to be able to teach in a Scandinavian language within two years after being hired

In the assessment of applicants, emphasis will be placed on the research potential and then teaching and other academic qualifications, as well as those for management and administration. Personal qualities, such as ability to collaborate, communication skills and scientific leadership will be emphasized. The quality and extent of the applicants’ scientific production during the last five years will be given particular weight, as well as experience in modern research methods and techniques.

We offer

• salary NOK 631 700 - 754 900 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Associate professor (position code 1011)
• a professionally stimulating working 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
• the opportunity to apply for promotion to full professorship at a later stage

How to apply

The application must include:

• cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• summary of up to 3 selected scientific publications the applicant wishes to include in the evaluation describing their significance and impact. PDF of these publications (or open access link to these) must be provided
• research plan including possible synergies with the Department’s sections with a emphasis on EVOGENE (up to 5 pages)
• Portfolio organized in the following order:
  • CV (including complete list of education, PhD diploma, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other qualifying activities)
  • list of scientific publications
  • documentation of teaching qualifications, listing of teaching experience, and up to one page describing teaching philosophy
  • a list of current and previous external funding
  • other qualifications, including administrative experience, the applicant wishes to have included in the evaluation
• List of reference persons: 3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. Please note that all documents should be in English.

Interviews will be part of the appointment process, along with a trial lecture.

Formal regulations

The successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document basic teaching qualifications will be required to obtain such qualifications within a two-year period.

The basis for assessment will be the scholarly production of the applicant, other qualifications, pedagogical or educational, the applicant’s qualifications within leadership and administration as well as the general personal suitability. In ranking the competent applicants, the full range of qualifications will be considered and explicitly assessed. Cf. the Rules for appointments to associate professorships.

Please see the rules for Appointments to Professorships and Associate Professorships and Rules for the assessment and weighting of pedagogical competence.

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.

The University of Oslo has a goal of recruiting more women in academic positions. Women are encouraged to apply.

Contact information

• Department head Rein Aasland, phone: +47 22844563, cell phone +47 92425456, e-mail: rein.aasland@ibv.uio.no or
• Section leader Paul Grini, phone: +47 22854574, cell phone +47 99390210, e-mail: paul.gini@ibv.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system: HR officer Nina Holtan, phone +47 22854424, e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no.

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