At the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Research Group: "Translational Science in Neurodegeneration & Aging, TSNA, https://www.uib.no/en/rg/neurodegeneration#", a full-time permanent position as researcher is available. The position is externally financed and currently part of the project "Using multidimensional integration of biological systems to unravel the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease", which is financed by the Bergen Research Foundation and the Research Council of Norway. The project has temporary funding for three (3) years.
About the Project
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a major cause of death and disability and has a worldwide socioeconomic impact. It affects ~2 % of the population above the age of 65 and its prevalence increases dramatically as the population ages reaching ~4% of those above the age of 85 years.
Despite two centuries of scientific endeavour, the molecular mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unknown. Reductionist approaches focusing on single risk factors have failed to uncover disease pathways that can be targeted by therapies. Thus, having no understanding of the processes underlying disease initiation and progression, we are unable to develop effective therapies and patients confront a future of progressive disability and premature death. The aim of this project is to decipher the molecular pathogenesis of PD, using a holistic approach to integrate genomic, environmental and clinical information into a single, unifying model.
The candidate will work in a fully funded and structured research project employing and developing cutting-edge bioinformatic analyses of genomic and epigenomic data from patient brain-tissue, in order to elucidate novel molecular pathways underlying the pathogenesis and progression of PD. Main tasks will include developing and applying integrative analysis approaches for large-scale data sets including whole genome sequencing, whole DNA-methylome, ChIP-sequencing of diverse targets, RNA sequencing and proteomics data.
The candidate will work closely with PI and a senior researcher in bioinformatics who has the necessary skills and will supervise the candidate hands-on. The TSNA group include both clinicians and researchers devoted to the study of neurogenic diseases. We have well-equipped laboratory facilities and full access to bioinformatics laboratories with state-of-the-art analysis tools. We also have access to a wide range of university platforms that cover microscopy, metabolomics, transcriptomic and proteomics.
The candidate will work between the TSNA lab and the Computational Biology Unit (CBU) of the University of Bergen, having a permanent work place in both locations.
The TSNA group has 15 members including clinicians, molecular biologists and a dedicated team of computational scientists devoted to the study of human aging and neurodegenerative disorders. We have well-equipped laboratory facilities and a state-of-the-art computational cluster and analysis tools.
The CBU is a leading hub of bioinformatics research spanning both the basic and applied fields, organized in five research groups totalling over 40 staff. The Jonassen group has 13 members working on development and advanced application of bioinformatics methods for analysis of genomics data. CBU coordinates a national research infrastructure for bioinformatics and has excellent computational facilities.
The candidate will interact directly with a highly competitive and stimulating research environment including neurologists, pathologists, geneticists, computational scientists and bioinformaticians. This position is ideal for candidates interested in highly translational research in the field of aging and neurodegeneration. This position will offer substantial opportunities for career development and growth.
Contact
For further information about the project and the position, please contact Dr Charalampos Tzoulis, phone: +47 55 97 50 58; or +47 55 97 50 45 (Departmental office), e-mail: Charalampos.Tzoulis@uib.no or Inge Jonassen, phone: +47 55 58 47 13, e-mail: Inge.Jonassen@uib.no
Qualifications and qualities
We are seeking a talented and highly ambitious scientist holding a relevant PhD degree in bioinformatics, informatics, molecular biology or similar disciplines.
The following qualifications are required:
- Substantial formal training in bioinformatics
- Background in programming and software development, preferably including use of R and python
- Documented expertise and experience in computational analyses of omics data including integrative analysis and network biology
- Fluency in Unix-based environments
- Knowledge of basic molecular biology and genomics
- Fluency in spoken and written English
The following qualifications are desired and will be prioritized:
- Training in informatics, in particular machine learning and algorithms, and in statistics
- Expertise in integrative omics data analyses at post-PhD level documented by relevant publications
- First, second or last authorship in relevant publications
- Experience in methods development for omics data analysis and integration
- Experience with analysis of chromatin-modification data including: ChIPseq, ATACseq and Hi-C.
Personal qualities
The following personal qualities are desired and will be prioritized:
- High scientific ambition, determination, and the desire for innovation and impact
- Ability to work independently and interactively in a team setting
- High sense of motivation and responsibility
- Strong commitment and enthusiasm for research
- Motivation for inter-disciplinary work and ability to communicate efficiently across scientific fields
Applicants whose education is from another country than Norway, need to provide a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicants enclose a confirmation from NOKUT that their education is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian PhD degree. Please see www.nokut.no/en for more information about NOKUT's general recognition. The recognition from NOKUT may take some time and the application should be sent to NOKUT as soon as the candidate decides to apply for the position.
We can offer
- An excellent environment in the research field of neuromics and neurodegeneration
- Starting salary will be found at level 59 - 62 (code 1109/salary scale 24.3 - 24.6), currently NOK 515 200 - 544 400 gross p.a. for a full time position; following ordinary meriting regulations. Salary is under adjustment. A pension contribution of 2 % will be deducted and deposited to the state pension scheme
- A good pension scheme in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Inclusive workplace (IW)
- Good welfare benefits
For more information regarding what the University of Bergen can offer its employees please visit: http://www.uib.no/en/poa/74243/what-can-university-bergen-offer-its-employees
The following premises are valid for this researcher position
- The researcher will be a member of the research group of which the topic/project belongs to
- The salary shall if possible be 100 % covered by external financing
- The researcher shall actively contribute to attract external funding to the research project, both for her/his own position and other positions, from the Research Council of Norway, EU and other sources
- The researcher is expected to have her/his research activity financed by the project of the researcher and the projects of the associated research group
- The Head of Department may allocate work for the researcher related to specific research projects
- The researcher may participate in committee work and other administrative tasks within the University of Bergen
- The researcher has no teaching duties, but is expected to supervise master and PhD students when this is a natural part of the research activity of the research group.
- The researcher may apply for competence promotion according to the regulations for promotions
- Recruitment to state employment
State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. The University of Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and sex composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds. Persons of different ethnic backgrounds and persons with disabilities are therefore encouraged to apply for the position.
The University of Bergen applies the principles of public openness when recruiting staff to scientific positions. Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if their request is not respected.
The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.
The application
You may send your application with attachments electronically via Jobbnorge by clicking on the button marked "apply for this job" here: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/154235/full-time-permanent-position-as-researcher-in-integromics-of-neurodegeration-at-the-department-of-clinical-medicine
The application must include:
- a brief letter of application stating your motivation for the position, why you are applying and why this position is perfect for you an overview of your education and work experience (CV)
- witnessed copies of diplomas and relevant certificates (applicants with education from other countries than Norway must enclose diplomas in both the original language and authorized translations)
- publications and academic work (max 10) and a list of these
- two referees (name and contact information)
The applications with attachments are sent electronically to the expert committee.
Please note that the applications will be forwarded to a committee with the information and attachments uploaded in Jobbnorge at closing date.
Further information about our employment process can be found here: https://www.uib.no/en/hr/74459/appointment-process
Closing date for applications: 15 July 2018
