University of Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.

Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES) is a research centre and a section at the Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo. CEES combines a broad spectrum of disciplines (population biology, genomics, statistics, mathematical modelling) to foster the concept of ecology as a driving force of evolution via selective processes, with a corresponding influence of evolutionary changes on ecology.

CEES has over 180 members (Professors (20), postdocs/researchers (60), PhDs (35), Master’s students (40) and technical and administrative staff) and many guest researchers. The members represent 30 nationalities and constitute a vibrant and creative research environment. CEES coordinate several international networks. The budget = 170 million NOK (about 55 externally funded research projects). CEES successfully completed its 10 year status of Centre of Excellence (CoE) in 2017 and is chaired by Professor Nils Chr. Stenseth.

Job description

Position as a postdoctoral research fellow is available at the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo (UiO).

This 2-year post doc position is associated with the project ECOVAR: Managing ecosystems in an increasingly variable world, funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) and led by dr. Yngvild Vindenes. The position is cofunded by RCN and the Department of Biosciences. The project includes collaboration with several researchers in Norway and abroad (see ECOVAR webpage for project participants).

This fellowship is for a period of 2 years. No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo. Likewise, a person can only receive one postdoctoral fellowship from the Research Council of Norway (RCN).

Tentative starting date: 1. Jan 2019

Project description

The postdoctoral candidate will develop and apply demographic models to investigate biological responses to changing environmental variability (i.e. the amount of short-term fluctuations in environmental variables). The underlying mechanisms to such responses are still poorly understood for most species, and we need a better understanding of how they are shaped by life history and other characteristics of species or populations. For instance, it is not clear how the responses of different vital rates through the life history jointly shape responses at the population level. Demographic models (matrix models or integral projection models) provide a useful tool to investigate such effects.

The developed models will be applied to perform comparative analyses based on the demographic databases COMADRE and COMPADRE, containing hundreds of matrix models across different taxa of animals and plants. This will be done in collaboration with dr. Rob Salguero-Gómez (University of Oxford), one of the core committee members of COMPADRE/COMADRE.

We seek candidates who have a completed PhD degree in population ecology, evolutionary demography, or related disciplines. The ideal candidate should have a documented experience with ecological modelling of population dynamics and/or comparative analyses using demographic approaches (matrix models, integral projection models). Experience with analyses of stochastic population dynamics and/or with applications using the databases COMADRE/ COMPADRE is an advantage.

We seek a highly motivated, enthusiastic person with an ambition to do cutting edge research investigating biological responses to global change, and with an ability to publish papers in leading international journals.

Host institution and international partner institution

The postdoctoral project and training will be based at the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, with the group of Yngvild Vindenes. The project also includes collaboration with several researchers in Norway and abroad (in particular dr. Rob Salguero-Gómez, University of Oxford). Visits to partner labs will be expected during the postdoctoral project, as well as participation in international conferences.

The CEES provides a stimulating research environment with many international and Norwegian scientists working on a variety of theoretical and empirical topics within ecology and evolution. Information about the centre can be found at: www.cees.uio.no.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for this fellowship will be selected in accordance with this, and is expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

We kindly ask applicants to provide a numbered list in their application letter corresponding to the following criteria, explaining briefly if/how they meet each point:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Ecology or a related field relevant to this position. For applicants applying before the doctoral degree is obtained, the doctoral thesis must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment will be dependent on the doctoral thesis and defense being approved.
• Experience or strong interest in one or more of the following topics: i) demographic modeling, ii) comparative life history analyses, iii) stochastic population modeling.
• General academic qualifications, research experience, and experience in publishing scientific papers.
• Personal motivation for applying for the position.
• A good command of the English language.
• Good social and collaborative skills.

We offer

• salary NOK 490 900 – 569 000 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• 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

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter, including a pointwise explanation of how the applicant fits the criteria detailed above.
• CV (summarizing education, positions and other qualifications; max. 2 pages).
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee.
• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation.
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number).

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

Formal regulations

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

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

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 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

• Dr. Yngvild Vindenes, email: ynvild vindenes@ibv.uio.no, telephone +47 22857294

For technical questions about the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Torunn Standal Guttormsen, e-mail: t.s.guttormsen@mn.uio.no, Phone +47 2285427

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