PhD Research Fellow in structural biology

PhD Research Fellow in structural biology UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

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PhD Research Fellow in structural biology

There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in structural biology at the Department of Chemistry. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year with compulsory other work (e.g. teaching duties at the Department). The position is associated with the project XENOSENSE – developing a cell-free biosensor for toxicity testing, environmental monitoring, and risk assessment, funded by the Research Council of Norway. The PhD project will be connected to the research group of Prof. Nathalie Reuter at the Department of Chemistry and the Computational Biology Unit, in collaboration with Prof. Odd André Karlsen and Prof. Anders Goksøyr at the Department of Biological Sciences (Environmental toxicology research group).

About the project/work tasks:

The main aim of this project is to develop a biosensor for detection of environmental pollutants. This biosensor will be based on cellular receptors that recognize and bind to xenobiotic compounds, and has applications towards toxicity testing, environmental monitoring, and surveying of polluted areas. The project will be led by the University of Bergen with NTNU as a research partner, while STIM AS and Biosense Laboratories AS are industrial partners in the project. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway as part of the Technological Convergence program.

The work tasks of the PhD fellow will involve genome mining of selected species (fish, mammal, avian, amphibian) for identification and comparison of receptors that bind environmental pollutants (xenosensors), modelling of protein structures and ligand-docking analyses of a selected set of receptors and ligands (pollutants), as well as to conduct molecular dynamics simulations (MD) to characterize the receptor-ligand interactions.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who masters relevant techniques on a theoretical as well as practical level. The position will involve some travelling both nationally and internationally, and a short-term research stay abroad is an option.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

Applicants must hold a master's degree, or equivalent education, that includes extensive training in molecular modelling, 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.

Experience from molecular docking analyses and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is a requirement.

Experience with sequence analyses and modelling of protein structures is a requirement.

Experience from work with nuclear receptors is an advantage.

Experience with Charmm and/or NAMD is an advantage.

Extensive experience with the UNIX/Linux interface and basic programming (e.g. Python) is an advantage.

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 The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):

About the PhD Research Fellow 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 over 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 by the head of department upon appointment.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

We can offer:

A good and professionally stimulating working environment

Salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 532 200 (equivalent to pay grade 54). Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.

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 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. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the master's thesis has been submitted

relevant certificates/references

approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)

a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)

any publications in your name

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

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact Professor Nathalie Reuter ([email protected]), Department of Chemistry, or Professor Odd André Karlsen ([email protected]) Department of Biological Sciences.

For HR related questions contact Adviser Anna Folgerø.

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. 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.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

About UiB

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.

There are seven departments and several centres at Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.

Deadline

18th September 2023

Employer

University of Bergen

Municipality

Bergen

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service

Christiesgt. 18, 5020 Bergen