At the Department of Informatics there is a vacancy for a postdoctoral research fellow position within Informatics – Computational Biology and Machine Learning
At the Department of Informatics there is a vacancy for a postdoctoral research fellow position within Informatics – Computational Biology and Machine Learning
The position is for a fixed term of 3 years and is associated with the project “NeuroConvergence”, funded by the Research Council of Norway.
About the Department
Digitalization of businesses, industry, public administration, and education makes informatics play an increasingly important role in the development of the society. Research and education in informatics are crucial for the digital transformation of the society to succeed. The Department of Informatics contributes to this through 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. We are also building up a group in computer science didactics. The department offers education for the future at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels. The department is in rapid growth regarding its number of students, research directions, and employees. We have today about 900 students, and 150 employees, among which 37 are faculty and 70 PhD candidates. We have established the Center for Data Science (CEDAS) as an important extension of our research and education activities.
About the project/work tasks:
All employees are expected to contribute to excellence through high quality research and teaching. The working environment for this position will be at the Computational Biology Unit. The position is also linked to the Department of Biomedicine. In the NeuroConvergence project, we will use a range of machine learning and causal inference methods on unique large-scale genetic and functional genomic datasets and chemical libraries to identify novel druggable target proteins for neuropsychiatric disorders. The postdoc will also contribute to the in silico protein structural screening and optimization of candidate targets using modern AI tools (RoseTTAfold, Alphafold2). The position will benefit from a tight collaboration between clinical, experimental, and computational researchers in the project, both locally and internationally (Germany, USA), with expertise in genomics, computational biology, machine learning, structural biology, and clinical psychiatry, with ample opportunities for travel, training, and career development across multiple disciplines.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
- Applicants must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree within a relevant field (e.g. informatics or bioinformatics), or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded.
- A track record of research outputs (publications in peer reviewed scientific journals, presentations at international scientific conferences, etc.) is a requirement.
- Experience with programming in Python is a requirement.
- Experience with a broad spectrum of machine learning methods is a requirement.
- Experience with the analysis of large-scale human genetic, functional genomic, and phenotyping (e.g. imaging) data is a requirement.
- Experience with tools and databases for genetic association analysis and interpretation is an advantage.
- Knowledge of causal inference is an advantage.
- Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and have the ability to cooperate with others.
- Applicants must have excellent skills in oral and written English.
- Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.
About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:
The postdoctoral position is a fixed term position with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. If the appointee lacks teaching experience, or other relevant qualifications, the employment period may be increased to up to 1 year. Teaching and other duties will in such cases be added to the position.
The position may be extended up to one year (maximum 4 years in total) if the appointee is granted externally financed research stays abroad. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution.
For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work, as well as a progress plan, will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor and head of department.
It is a requirement that the project is completed during the period of employment.
We can offer:
- A good and professionally stimulating working environment
- Salary at pay grade 61 (code 1352 / pay range 24, alternative 5) according to the state salary scale upon appointment. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 553 300. Further promotions are made according to length of service. For particularly highly qualified applicants, a higher salary may be considered.
- 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.
- The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be the the main advisor from the PhD programme.
- CV
- Transcripts and diplomas. If you have not yet completed your PhD degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the thesis has been submitted.thesis has been submitted
- Relevant certificates/references
- 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 30.04.2022.
General information:
Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting:
Professor Tom Luk R Michoel or Professor Jan Haavik
For HR related matters, please contact Lene Sørheim.
Employment is subject to approval with respect to the Norwegian export control legislation.
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.
Further information about our employment process can be found here.
About The University of Bergen (UiB)
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