PhD position in bioinformatics - Computational Systems Biology

There is a vacancy for a PhD position in Computational Systems Biology at the Department of Informatics. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year. The position is financed by Trond Mohn Foundation.

The Department of informatics has seven research groups that deliver research and education at a high international level in algorithms, bioinformatics, information security, machine learning, optimization, programming theory, and visualization. All the groups are successfully co-funded by research grants, among others by the European Research Council (ERC). The department offers state of art education at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels.

About the project/work tasks:
All employees are expected to contribute to excellence through high quality research and teaching. The successful candidate will conduct research within the bioinformatic group, a part of the Computational Biology Unit CBU.

The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) is a hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. There are many drugs that interrupt different steps in this system to control high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney failure, and harmful effects of diabetes. The RAAS system closely interacts with other regulatory systems, namely the renal sympathic system and the natriuretic peptide hormone system, to maintain sodium and water balance via maintenance of the extracellular fluid volume. The interplay between the different regulatory systems is complex and not yet fully understood in all details. In this situation, mathematical modelling can help to explore the relationships and to identify points of action. The aim of this project is to construct a mechanistic model for the regulation of sodium and water balance using data from variations in dietary sodium intake in both healthy and immuno-deficient mice. For this purpose, the successful applicant will closely collaborate with experimental researchers at the University Hospital in Bonn/Germany.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a master‘s degree or an equivalent degree in Bioinformatics, Physics, Mathematics or a related field, or must have submitted his/her master‘s thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master‘s degree has been awarded.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner, and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
• Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English.
• Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position

• Experience of working in a numerical computing environment (Python, R, Matlab) is a requirement.
• Experience of programming in at least one programming language (C, C++, Java) is a requirement.
• Experience with the modelling of dynamical systems in terms of differential equations is a requirement.
• Background knowledge in biology or medicine is an advantage.

About the PhD position:
The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year, consisting of 25 % compulsory work (e.g. teaching responsibilities at the department) distributed across the employment period. The 4th year is contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department, and will be decided upon appointment. The employment period may be reduced if the candidate has previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training
As a PhD candidate, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. A final plan for the implementation of the research training must be approved by the faculty within two months after you have commenced in the position. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

We can offer:

• Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
• Salary at pay grade 51 (Code 1017/Pay range 20, alternative 9) in the state salary scale. This currently amounts to an annual salary of NOK 449 400 before taxes.Further promotions are made according to qualifications and length of service in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• A brief account of the applicant‘s research interests and motivation for applying for the position.
• The names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master‘s thesis or equivalent thesis.
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor‘s and master‘s degrees, or an official confirmation that the master‘s thesis has been submitted.
• Relevant certificates/references.
• A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list).
• Publications (as applicable).

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge by 30.04.2019

General information:
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Dr. Susanna Röblitz, Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, susanna.roblitz@uib.no

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.

We encourage women to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply

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