About the Position

At The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), UiT The Arctic University of Norway has a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position vacant in Fish Immunology and Vaccinology. The position is attached to the Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS) and the research group Fish vaccinology and immunology.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) consists of Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NFH) and School of Business and Economics. The main task of BFE is to conduct teaching and research dissemination at a high national and international level within all relevant fields. Prioritized research areas are aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, climate, life in the arctic, marine bioprospecting, fish health, seafood products, business and macroeconomics, resources and environment, markets and management of marine resources. The interdisciplinary profile of the faculty provides good opportunity to develop research projects involving several research groups at the faculty according to its strategy.

The position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow is a fixed term position for a period of three years. The main objective of the appointment as a post-doctoral research fellow is to qualify for work in senior academic position. No one may be appointed to more than one fixed term period as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the same institution.

The Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS) is a multidisciplinary unit for marine research and education. NCFS have established research environments for resource management, resource utilization and biotechnology, and is now strengthening the capacity for utilization and health related effects of seafood consumption. NCFS teaching obligation stretches trough three study programs at Bachelor and Master level; Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Biotechnology/Marine biotechnology and Aquamedicine. In addition, NCFS offers an international master program, International Fisheries Management (IFM). All programs of are growing popularity as they are attracting more qualified students than available opportunities.

The position’s field of research

The applicant will join a dedicated and international team of researchers in the fish immunology and vaccinology research group. The position is integrated as part of the ongoing project "innate T cell defense (iTD)" which is funded by the Tromsø Research Foundation Starting Grant and the University of Tromsø. The project involves determining the biological roles of MHC class I-like genes in antigen presentation and activation of effector cells such as natural killer, unconventional T and/or innate-like T cells in fish. Focus is on understanding the regulation, activation and functions of MHC class I like genes in response to viral challenges and characterize the MHC class I-like interacting effector populations.

MHC class I molecules are key components of adaptive immunity providing the host with a means of detecting infected cells. In addition to classical MHC class I molecules all jawed vertebrates have variable numbers of MHC class I-like genes. In fish, multiple families of MHC class I-like genes have been identified but their function(s) remains elusive. This project focuses on understanding the biological roles of divergent MHC class I-like gene families in fish and determine how these molecules come into play during an anti-viral immune response.

The project also has a strong focus on developing novel tools, including MHC tetramers and CRISPR gene editing, and the use of these techniques to answer important biological questions related to fish health.

Qualifications

For appointment to this position, the applicant should have a genuine interest in comparative immunology. Applicants with a doctoral degree in immunology will be given preference but candidates with a PhD in molecular biology, cellular biology, marine biology and virology are welcome to apply, but should have considerable documented experience in fish (or comparative) immunology and host-pathogen interaction. The suitable candidate for this position would ideally have a strong background in one or more of the following; molecular science, cell culture and cell transfections, flow cytometry analysis and gene editing, with preference given to candidates with research experience working with fish/comparative immunology and or CRISPR gene editing.

Applicant must have a good command of English, both written and verbal. Read more about languages proficiency.

Personal qualifications, suitability and interest in the project will be emphasized; the candidate’s personal qualifications should also include excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Application

Your application must include:

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV - summarizing education, positions and academic work
• Diplomas and transcripts from completed degrees
• 2-3 references with contact details
• Documentation of proficiency in the English language
• Academic works, up to ten. The doctoral thesis is regarded as one work.

You must also submit a project proposal, that describe of how you scientifically can contribute to (the project/described field of research). The proposal must include a progress plan.

Documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept applications through Jobbnorge.

We offer

• Good welfare arrangements for employees
• Involvement in an interesting research project
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleague
• A large degree of independence in work
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Good arrangements for pension, insurance and loans in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

More information about moving to Tromsø: uit.no/mobility

Contact

For further information, please contact:

• Eva- Stina Edholm, eva-stina.i.edholm@uit.no, phone: +47 77646112

Other information

UiT’s HR policy objectives emphasises diversity, and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background. UiT is an will make the necessary adaptations in order to facilitate for employees with reduced functional ability.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act. You may request to not be registered on the public list of applicants, but the University may decide that your name will be made public. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

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