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.

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.

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.

For further information, please contact:

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

The position’s field of research/field of work

The position is part of the ongoing project “innate T cell defense (iTD)” granted by the Tromsø Research Foundation and the University of Tromsø. In addition to the announced position, this project also involves a PhD fellow, a senior lab engineer and a senior scientist and will be conducted in close collaboration with the Fish vaccinology and immunology research group at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science within the Faculty for bioscience, fisheries and economics. The position will also include some academic duties such as supervision of master students involved in the project.

The successful candidate will become a member of the fish immunology and vaccinology research group and will regularly interact with its members who work on different aspects of fish immunology and fish vaccines.

About the research project

The research project involves determining the roles of MHC class I-like genes in antigen presentation and activation of natural killer, unconventional and/or innate-like T cells in Atlantic salmon. Focus is on understanding the regulation, activation and functions of MHC class I like genes in response to viral challenges and during T cell development.

Although fish possess immune systems resembling those seen in mammals, the organization of teleost fish (e.g. salmonid) immune systems and its T cell compartments differ in a number of fundamental aspects. MHC class I molecules are expressed on the surface of most cells and present self or non-self (e.g., viral or bacterial) antigens to effector cells such as T cells. Thus, MHC molecules provide the host a means of detecting infected cells. Similar to all jawed vertebrates A. salmon also have MHC class I like genes. To date, multiple families of MHC class I like genes have been identified in salmon but their function remains elusive. This project focuses on understanding the functional roles of MHC class I like gene families with the goal of using this knowledge to help improve fish vaccines.

Qualifications required

For appointment as Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the applicant should have a doctoral degree in immunology. Candidates with a virology background are also welcome to apply, but should have considerable experience in host-pathogen interaction. PhD Candidates in the final stages are also qualified to apply, but have to document completed doctoral degree for appointment.

The suitable candidate for this position would ideally have a strong background in molecular science, cell culture, flow cytometry analysis and gene editing, with preference given to candidates with research experience working with fish immunology.

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

Project description

When applying for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, the applicant shall submit a project proposal for the qualifying work (2-3 pages). This proposal shall include a progress plan. It is required that the applicant will be able to complete the project during the period of appointment.

As part of the application for a postdoctoral fellowship, the applicant shall provide a description of his/her academic production stating which works he/she considers the most important and which shall therefore be the main emphasis of the assessment. A brief description of the other listed works shall also be included to demonstrate depth of production. These descriptions shall be an attachment to the application.

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

Working conditions

The working hours shall be utilized for research, research-related activities and research administration.

The successful applicant must be willing to engage himself/herself in the ongoing development of his/her discipline and the university as a whole.

The remuneration for this position is in accordance with the State salary scale, code 1352. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted.

Assessment

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The applicants who are assessed as the 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. A trial lecture may also be held.

Applicants bring original certificates/diplomas and reference letter (work) to an interview.

The application - submitted electronically in www.jobbnorge.no

Documents mentioned below must be enclosed within the expiration of the application deadline, also it must be certified and translated into Scandinavian or English.

Attachment to letter of application:

• CV (containing a complete overview of education, supervised professional training and professional work)
• certified diplomas and reference letter
• proposed project for qualifying work
• reference letter with contact information (work)
• documentation of English language proficiency

• list of works and description of these

1. The list of works shall contain the following information:
2. author(s), the work’s title
3. for articles: the journal’s name and volume, the first and last page of the article, year of publication
4. for publications: publisher, printer, year of publication, number of pages

Works- The applicant must attach the published or unpublished work he/she wish the Committee should take into consideration during the assessment process.

In addition, the applicant shall provide a description of his/her scientific production stating which works he/she considers the most important and shall therefore be the main emphasis of the assessment. A brief description of the other listed works shall also be included to demonstrate depth of production. These descriptions shall be an attachment to the application.

Information

Applicants for positions at UiT will find information they require, as well as links to guidelines referred to in our announcements, here.

Questions concerning the organization of the working environment, such as the physical state of the place of employment, health service, possibility for flexible working hours, part time, etc. may be directed to the telephone reference in this announcement.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and therefore encourages qualified applicants to apply regardless of gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and will therefore emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

Personal data given in an application or CV will be processed 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 that the name of the applicant will be made public. The applicant will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

We are look forward to receiving your application.

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