Please see the original job post on jobbnorge.no for more details and electronic application.
Project summary
A four-year postdoctoral position in bioinformatics is available in the Marine Microbiology research group in the Department of Biology. The position is affiliated with the research projects «MicroPolar [μP]: Processes and Players in Arctic Marine Pelagic Food Webs - Biogeochemistry, Environment and Climate Change” and «Microorganisms in the arctic: major drivers of biogeochemical cycles and climate change», both funded by the Research Council of Norway. The University of Bergen is financing 2 years of the employment period and 2 years are financed by the MicroPolar project.
The postdoctoral position is a fixed-term post, the chief objective being to qualify the selected candidate for work in senior positions in their disciplines. The term of employment for this position is 4 years of which 25 pct is designated to teaching and supervision.
Research Group
The overarching aim of the Marine Microbiology research group (https://www.uib.no/rg/mm) is to improve our understanding of the structure and function of microbial food webs. The research is basically curiosity-driven, but with a broad impact and relevance to marine production, pollution, CO2 sequestration, ocean acidification and climate change.
The research in the current projects is focused on the Arctic, and the objective is to obtain a better understanding of organisms, processes and mechanisms that shape the interactions between the ocean, land (tundra) and atmosphere. The work involves a combination of field campaigns, cruises, field experiments and laboratory experiments.
DNA- and RNA-metagenome sequencing of microbial communities is a very important part of the projects. The subsequent bioinformatics analysis will be done in close collaboration with our national and international project partners and we are now seeking a person to be in charge of this work.
The Candidate
Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant field, for example biology, ecology, molecular biology or bioinformatics, or have presented the dissertation for assessment by the closing date for applications. It is a prerequisite that the dissertation has been approved before appointment is granted.
Skill with bioinformatics-relevant programming languages, writing and using scripts for data parsing and visualization, and use of command line-based bioinformatics pipelines and platforms is required. The successful candidate must have experience with analyses of large sequence datasets. He/she should also have a basic understanding of ecology and ecological processes and of diversity analysis. Competence in use of multivariate statistics is an advantage.
We are seeking a highly-motivated candidate with ambitions as researcher and good communication skills. Further criteria in the evaluation process will include the applicant’s ability to work both independently and in an international and interdisciplinary consortium. Publications and other scientific activity will be considered, but here the time available for the applicant after finishing the higher degree will be taken into account.
A project plan and a progress plan will be written in cooperation with the project leaders on appointment. It is a premise that the selected candidate will complete the project within the stipulated period of employment. The project proposal and progress plan shall form part of the employment contract, and shall include the name of the person who is to be the discipline advisor for the selected candidate.
About the University of Bergen
The University of Bergen (UiB) is an internationally recognised research university with more than 14,000 students and close to 3,500 employees at six faculties. The university is located in the heart of Bergen. Our main contribution to society is excellent basic research and education across a wide range of disciplines.
We offer
Starting salary on grade 57 (code 1352/pay framework 24.1) in the Civil Service pay grade table; currently NOK 473,400 gross p.a. following ordinary meriting regulations (wage range 57–65). In the case of particularly highly qualified applicants a higher salary may be considered.
More information on the position can be obtained from Professor Gunnar Bratbak, tel. +47 55 58 26 58 / e-mail gunnar.bratbak@bio.uib.no
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 from various immigrant backgrounds. Persons with an immigrant background are therefore encouraged to apply for the position.
How to apply
The University of Bergen applies the principles of public openness when recruiting staff to scientific positions. Hence, the evaluation committee`s report will be disclosed (in full detail, and not anonymous) to all of the applicants.
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 his/her request is not respected.
Application should be sent by clicking on the button marked “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” on jobbnorge.no.
Application shall contain:
- a short description of applicants research interests and motivation
- CV with a list of publications
- diploma and relevant certificates
- names and contact details for two reference persons
Certified English or Scandinavian translations of supporting documentation, such as diplomas and transcripts, are required.
Applications sent by e-mail to random individuals at the department will not be considered.
Closing date for applications: 16 February 2014
Quote reference number: 2013/14045
