The Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has two vacant 3-year PhD-positions related to farm animal reproduction, cryobiology and conservation.
CryoStore (Innovation in germplasm cryopreservation for improved animal breeding and the conservation of Europe’s livestock biodiversity) is a new EU HORIZON-MSCA-Doctoral Network. https://www.cryostoreproject.com/
The CryoStore consortium consists of 8 full partners in 6 European countries, together with 14 academic and non-academic associated partners.
The aim of CryoStore is to provide high-level training in the fields of cryobiology, reproduction/animal breeding and animal conservation to a new generation of high achieving early-stage researchers to provide them with the scientific and transferable skills necessary for thriving careers within these disciplines. This goal will be achieved by a unique combination of ‘hands-on’ research training, non-academic placements, and courses and workshops on scientific and transferable skills facilitated by the academic/non-academic composition of the consortium.
The following two positions are open at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (NMBU):
- Position 1. Validation of improved protocols for the vitrification of teleost gonadal tissue.
Main supervisor: Prof. Ian Mayer (ian.mayer@nmbu.no) - Position 2. Validation of improved protocols for bovine oocyte / ovarian tissue cryopreservation.
Main supervisor: Prof. Anette Krogenæs (anette.krogenaes@nmbu.no)
Further information on the CryoStore doctoral network, including the CryoStore consortium, and details on the PhD positions can be found at the CryoStore website https://www.cryostoreproject.com/.
The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the university. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.
Main tasks
The PhD candidates will participate in all phases of the research work from planning to publication. The main tasks include:
- Undertake new and innovative research in the area of farm animal reproduction and cryotechnology.
- All PhD students recruited by CryoStore will be expected to attend a series of summer schools in different countries focusing on both scientific and transferable skills training. During the PhD, candidates will undertake planned secondments to partner institutes.
- In addition to the requirements of the doctoral network, recruited candidates must satisfy the local requirements for the fulfillment of a PhD at the host institute.
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.
Competence
The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree or a Cand. Med. Vet. degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
Required Academic qualifications
- Applicants must hold a Cand. Med. Vet. Degree or relevant European Master’s degree at the time of the application. For both positions, an educational background should preferably be in the field of veterinary science or biological sciences (animal reproduction).
- Applicants that are not native English speakers must provide proof of their English language proficiency as established through an internationally recognized qualification system.
- Mobility rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g. work, studies) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the last 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.
- A valid driving license (Class B or equivalent).
The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:
- Experience in animal reproduction, including assisted reproductive technologies.
- Experience in either fish or bovine reproduction would be an advantage.
- Experience in germ cell biology and/or in vitro cryotechnology.
You need to:
- Have good communication and writing skills.
- The candidate should be a good team player as well as being able to work independently, efficiently and with dedication.
- Be highly motivated and show interest and enthusiasm towards the PhD project.
- Be prepared to spend short periods abroad during secondments to partner institutes within the CryoStore consortium.
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow (ltr. 54-60). PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 532.200) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
For further information, please contact Prof. Ian Mayer, Project Coordinator, E-mail: ian.mayer@nmbu.no; phone +47 92609197
The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, the Act relating to national security and the Act relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services, Technology, etc. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter laws will be prohibited from recruitment to NMBU.
Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants
Application
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply for this job’ button above. This will route you to the University’s Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Application deadline: 30 November, 2023
Your CV must be entered in JobbNorge’s CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is to be able to comply with the regulations of §15 of the Public Administration Act.
The application must contain information about your education and previous practice, as well as your motivation for carrying out such a PhD project. When submitting an application, clearly indicate the PhD project you wish to apply for.
In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.
The following documents must be attached to the application:
- Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
- Complete CV
- Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, transcript of education, Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
- Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
- Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3).
- Names and contact details for two references.
- Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.
Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.
About the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at NMBU is the country’s only veterinary professional education and provide expertise in veterinary medicine and veterinary public health. The Faculty educates veterinarians, animal nurses and doctoral students in Veterinary Science and researches in veterinary medicine and related biomedical fields. We have 500 students and 430 employees.
The faculty consists of the departments of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Paraclinical Sciences, Production Animal Clinical Sciences and Companion Animal Clinical Sciences. We also run the Animal Hospital, which is closely linked to our research and education, and receives patients from all over the country.
NMBU
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
NMBU will contribute to securing the future of life through outstanding research, education, communication and innovation. We have the country’s most satisfied university students, who receive research-based education in a unique student environment. Our graduates gain a high level of competence in interdisciplinary collaboration and are popular in the labor market. NMBU has internationally leading research environments in several subjects. Together with our partners in society and business, we contribute to solving some of the biggest societal challenges of our time.
We focus on innovation, communication and entrepreneurship because we believe these challenges are best solved with joint efforts. We believe that a good working environment is characterized by diversity.If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no/en