Employer: University of Bergen
Location: Bergen, Norway
Salary: NOK 540 500 (code 1017, pay grade 55) in the state salary scale.
Closing date: Nov 28, 2023
PhD position at the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, a full-time PhD-position is available for a period of four (4) years or max 4 months after completed the PhD-degree, if this is achieved within a shorter time than four years. The positions include 25 % required duties such as teaching, exam work or supervision, depending on the demands at the department.
The position is part of the K.G. Jebsen Center for Parkinson’s disease and is funded by the University of Bergen.
About the project/work tasks:
The goal of this project is to advance the mechanistic understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and to identify novel treatment targets, as well as biomarkers contributing to early diagnosis, prognosis, and molecular stratification, ultimately enabling personalized care. Preliminary findings from the research group have already identified PD subtypes based on transcriptomic profiling and immunohistochemistry of postmortem brain tissue. The candidate will analyse multiomics datasets, including genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomic (RNA-seq and single cell RNA-seq) and proteomics data from multiple tissues of well-characterized PD cohorts. Many of these datasets are already available, while others will be generated based on ongoing findings in the project. Notable examples of existing (analysis-ready) datasets include:
- The currently largest RNA-seq dataset from PD-brain tissue, including samples from more than 1,300 individuals.
- Multiomics dataset including whole-exome sequencing, histone ChiP-seq, DNA-methylation, RNA-seq, and proteomics from the same ~100 brain samples.
- One of the largest to date single-nucleus RNA-seq datasets from multiple neurodegenerative disorders.
A unique advantage of our research group is that we are running clinical studies alongside our omics experiments, and many of our omics datasets come from our well-characterized cohorts. Moreover, there is a short path from our basic research to the clinic, where promising findings from our basic research are being tested in clinical studies. Thus, the successful candidate will work in a highly rewarding environment completing the full circle of basic-clinical translation.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
The applicant must hold a master`s degree or equivalent in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics / Biostatistics, Data Science or related fields Proven experience in scripting and/or programming (R, Python, Perl, C/C++, or similar) and familiarity with UNIX-based systems Good statistical knowledge The candidate should be able to work independently and in a structured manner, and have the ability to cooperate with others Ability and motivation to carry out a PhD project The applicant must be fluent in oral and written English, see documentation requirements
RECOMMENDED:
- Hands-on experience with omics data analysis (transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.)
- Experience in bioinformatics pipeline development
- Good understanding of data structures, data manipulation, and visualization
- Experience with cloud computing environments
- Experience from relevant research projects will be considered as positive
- Experience from the field of neuroscience and especially neurodegeneration will be considered an advantage
- Basic molecular biology understanding will be considered an advantage
Applicants with foreign education must attach a certified translation to English or Scandinavian if the original diploma and transcripts are not in one of these languages. The applicant must also attach the Directorate for Higher Education and Competence (HK-dir)'s general assessment of whether the education (bachelor and master) corresponds to a Norwegian master’s degree. See https://hkdir.no for more information on the assessment of higher education. We draw attention to the fact that the application for assessment from HK-dir can take time and the application should be sent as early as possible when you know you want to apply for the PhD position. If you have not received a reply by the application deadline, you must attach documentation from HK-dir that they have received your application. Note that the automatic approval scheme of HK-dir is not sufficient. Applicants with Scandinavian education, or medical education from the EEA area who have obtained a license to work as a doctor in Norway are exempt from the requirement for HK-dir assessment, see Admission requirements | The Faculty of Medicine | UiB
See also the requirements for documentation of English skills: English language requirements for PhD admission | Faculty of Medicine | UiB
About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):
The PhD-program: The candidate must take part in the University of Bergen approved PhD programme leading to the degree within a time limit of 3 years. You must have admission to the organized research training (PhD program) at the Faculty in order to qualify for the position. Application for admission to the PhD programme, including a project plan outline for the training plan must be submitted no later than three months after the date of commencement.
The PhD-position: PhD-positions are fixed term positions. You cannot be employed in a PhD-position for more than one fixed term period at the same institution or have had similar employment at an institution in the region.
We can offer:
- Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
- Salary NOK 540 500 (code 1017, pay grade 55) in the state salary scale. For applicants with at least one year of employment in a position as a General Practitioner or Dentist, salary NOK 557 100 (code 1017, pay grade 57). Medical specialist starts on salary NOK 575 400 (code 1017, pay grade 59)
- Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Good welfare benefits
Your application must include:
- A brief account of the applicant`s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
- Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts of grades
- Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach 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 also required that the applicant enclose a review from HK-dir whether the education in question (bachelor and master degree) is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see https://hkdir.no/en/ for more information about HK-dir’s general recognition. This may take some time and we recommend you to apply as soon as you know you will apply for this position. If no answer within the application deadline, please enclose documentation from HK-dir that they have received your application
- Documentation of language skills (English)
- Complete list of publications and scientific work you want to be evaluated
- Any publication in your name
- Two references (name and contact information)
General information:
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Heloisa Belmonte Galbiati, e-mail: Heloisa.F.Belmonte@uib.no, phone: +47 55585394
The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.
The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.
For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
