Stilling:
PhD Candidate at The Genomics Support Centre Tromsø (GSCT)
Deadline 27.03.2019
About the position
At the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine a position has become available for the role of Research Fellow, for applicants wishing to take a Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) degree. The position is affiliated with The Genomics Support Centre Tromsø (GSCT) and the project “Development of Personalized Treatment Strategies for Ulcerative Colitis”.
The position is available for commencement for a period of four years.
The Research Fellow is a training position which comprises complete research training working towards a doctorate degree, the objective. Acceptance onto the doctorate degree programme is a prerequisite for appointment to this position, and the study period will begin upon commencement of the employment. The Research Fellow will participate in the faculty’s research training, and the doctorate degree project will be carried out over the course of the period of employment. Information on the application process for admissions to the PhD programme and on PhD regulations can be found on the website: PhD programme at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
About the research group
The Genomics Support Centre Tromsø (GSCT) is a high throughput sequencing core facility that also provides assistance in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics. The group performs own research, in collaboration with researchers at GSCT and affiliated members of the research group for Gastroenterology & Nutrition. The research combines methods within molecular biology, bioinformatics and clinics. The main goal of the research is to gain new knowledge about inflammatory bowel disease in order to contribute to an improvement of treatment and preventive methods. For more information see: http://www.uit.no/helsefak/genomics.
Contact
The contact person for this position is:
- Professor Ruth H. Paulssen, phone: +47 77 64 54 80, e-mail: ruth.h.paulssen@uit.no and
- Researcher Christopher G. Fenton, phone: +47 48 19 64 79, e-mail: Christopher.fenton@uit.no
About the research project
The research project aims to analyse changes of gene transcription-and DNA methylation patterns in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and identifying markers, and gene regulatory networks in order to find new ways to predict the outcome of IBD treatment of patients. IBD is an autoimmune disease of the gastrointestinal tract, affect estimated 2.5-3.5 million individuals in Europe alone, incurring an annual treatment cost of 4.6-5.6 billion Euros. The underlying mechanisms of IBD involve a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors that cause an aberrant activation of the immune system. There are large individual variations in disease progression and treatment response and there is therefore a need for more research aimed at identify the best treatment options for the individual patient.
The candidate's research will contribute to this by generating data of gene expression and DNA methylation in well-defined groups of IBD patients. In addition, available data from national and international partners will be used to establish IBD phenotype specific patterns and define specific regulatory networks.
Qualification requirements
The successful applicant must have a Master’s Degree in a numerate discipline (e.g. biotechnology, molecular biology, biology, clinics). Basic knowledge in molecular biology and statistical methods are essential. Experience with analysing big data sets and knowledge in bioinformatics is an advantage. The candidate must be able to function in an interdisciplinary research team with co-workers from diverse training backgrounds. Emphasis will be placed on the communication and collaboration skills and the motivation and interest the candidate displays for the project.
In order to be appointed to the role of Research Fellow, the eligibility requirements for the faculty’s PhD programme must be met, cf. section 6, Regulations for the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Tromsø, with additional provisions concerning the Faculty of Health Sciences which can be found on the website: PhD programme at the Faculty of health Sciences.
We can offer
- Interesting work tasks
- State collective agreement
- Pension scheme through the state pension fund
Working and payment conditions
The normal period of employment is four years. The PhD studies normally equate to three years. The fourth year, apportioned as 25% of each year, shall be put towards teaching or other work tasks undertaken for the university.
Shorter periods of employment may be offered if the Research Fellow has already completed parts of the research training programme, or in the event that the employment builds upon a previous appointment in an educational position (Research Fellow, Research Assistant or similar), so that the total time of research training comes to three years.
The successful candidate is obliged to make a contribution to the teaching of all students at the Faculty of Health Sciences as and where necessary.
The remuneration for Research Fellows is in accordance with the State salary scale codes 1017 and 1378, depending on the qualifications of the former.
A compulsory contribution of 2% to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted.
Application shall include
- letter of application including a short description of interests and reasons for applying for the position
- CV containing a complete overview of education, experience, professional work, pedagogical qualifications and references
- Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts:
- diploma and transcript of Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (in original language and translated)
- diploma and transcript of Master’s degree or equivalent (in original language and translated)
- the Master’s thesis and any academic works
- documentation of proficiency in English
- Proficiency in English can be document in the following ways:
- Diploma from a Norwegian upper secondary school with both spoken and written English (140 hours)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Testing Service)
- Completed university degree in the field of English language or literature
- One years completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or USA, for which English was the language of instruction.
Applications will only be consider if all requested application documents are receive before the application deadline.
All documentation to be assess must be translate into English or a Scandinavian language.
Applications sent to us via e-mail or by any other means will not be consider.
Assessment
The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee’s mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants’ qualifications based on the application documents and the text of the announcement.
The Assessment Committee will give emphasis to the potential for research, as presented in the Master’s thesis or equivalent, or in any other academic works.
In the assessment, consideration may also be given to professional experience and any other activity which may be significant for the completion of the doctoral degree, as well as to any pedagogical qualifications. This includes pedagogical training, teaching experience, experience of public education and experience/training of other kinds.
The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview shall, among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s personal suitability for the position and motivations. A trial lecture may also be held.
General
In addition, applicants shall also refer to the supplementary provisions for the appointment to academic positions such as Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow and Academic Assistant at UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, and to regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident, which are available on the website “The Research Fellow file”.
Questions concerning the organisation of the working environment, including that of the physical state of the workplace, health services, possibilities for flexible working hours, part-time work, etc. may be addressed to the telephone reference in this announcement.
At UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, diversity is valued, and we therefore encourage all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their age, gender, functional ability or national or ethnic background. The university is an IW employer and places importance on making the necessary adaptations to working conditions for employees with disabilities.
Personal information given in an application and CV will be treated in accordance with the Act relating to the processing of personal data (the Personal Data Act). In accordance with section 25, subsection 2 of the Freedom of Information Act, the applicant may request not to be registered on the public list of applicants. However, the university may nevertheless decide to make the candidate’s name public. The applicant will receive advance notification of any such publication.
You can find more information on the website for arriving staff.
We look forward to receiving your application!