PhD Research Fellowship in Mycology/Microbiology at University of Oslo in Norway, 2016

Position as PhD Research fellow available at the Department of Biosciences.
The fellowship will be for a period of 4 years, with 25% compulsory work. Starting date no later than 01.10.2016. No one can be appointed for more than one fixed-term period at the same institution.
The PhD research fellowship will be linked to the Norwegian Centre for Digital Life initiative, as well as the Centre for Integrative Microbial Evolution (CIME), which is an inter-disciplinary research group supported by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Job/ project description:
Most fungi reside in natural habitats, but some species have expanded their habitats into buildings. Dampness- and mold-related indoor air quality problems are associated with adverse health effects, such as allergies, asthma and other respiratory symptoms. The main aim in this project is to improve the knowledge about indoor fungal communities (i.e. the indoor mycobiome) by implementing state-of-the-art high throughput DNA sequence (HTS) analyses. Using DNA metabarcoding and other DNA based approaches we will analyze the spatiotemporal variation in the indoor mycobiome within single buildings and on broader geographic scales and identify the main determinants of the indoor mycobiome. We want to improve reference DNA sequence collections for indoor fungi and improve and adapt existing bioinformatics tools for DNA metabarcoding analyses of the indoor mycobiome.
In the compulsory work (25% of total time) the hired PhD fellow will mainly focus on how the characterization of the indoor mycobiome can be streamlined for commercial applications. The hired PhD fellow will be affiliated with the University of Oslo and will also collaborate with staff at the firm Mycoteam (https://www.mycoteam.no/) that are experts on biodeterioration and indoor fungi in buildings and building materials.

Requirements/qualifications:
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in biology, preferably within the areas mycology and/or microbiology.
We seek a highly motivated, enthusiastic and independent candidate with the ambition to gain insight and publish papers in leading, international journals. The candidate should have experience in standard molecular techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and DNA sequencing, as well as basic knowledge in statistics and bioinformatics tools for handling DNA sequence data. Knowledge and experience from high throughput sequence analyses, more advanced bioinformatics analyses, culturing of microorganisms/fungi, microscopy, and fungal ecology and systematics will be considered advantageous. Ability to work and collaborate within a research team is essential. Excellent command of English and good writing skills are strongly desired. The appointed candidate must be prepared to spend period(s) at the firm Mycoteam, located close to the University campus, for training and collaboration (the compulsory work will largely be done here).
Candidates without a Master's degree have until 30 June, 2016 to complete the final exam.
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.
The fellowship requires admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD program must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:
http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/doctoral-degree-and-career/phd-programme/index.html
A good command of English is required.

Salary:
Position code 1017, Pay grade: 50 - 57 (NOK 430 500 – 483 700 per year)

The application must include:

Application letter
CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
Copies of educational certificates, and transcript of records
Documentation of English proficiency
List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to applicant, e-mail and telephone number)

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
In accordance with the University of Oslo’s equal opportunities policy, we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of gender or ethnicity.
UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

Region:
Oslo

Job type:
Fixed Term Contract

Working hours:
Full-time

Working days:
Day

Application deadline:
7 May, 2016

Location:
Oslo

Reference number:
2016/4715

Home page:
http://www.mn.uio.no/ibv/

Contacts:
Associate Professor Håvard Kauserud
Telephone: +47 22854832
Questions regarding Easycruit, contact HR Officer Torunn Standal Guttormsen

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