PhD position in reproductive biotechnologies with emphasis on embryology and epigenetics Høgskolen i Innlandet

A 100 % PhD position in applied biotechnology is available at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN), Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology. The position will run for 3 years, starting in September 2023. The candidate will be enrolled in INN’s PhD program in applied ecology and biotechnology, with workplace at Campus Hamar.

The PhD project will be included in Centre for Embryology and Healthy Development – CRESCO.

CRESCO is a new Norwegian Centre of Excellence affiliated with the Medical Faculty at the University of Oslo (UiO) in collaboration with Oslo University Hospital (OUH) and INN at Hamar.

An overarching goal of the Centre is to understand the role of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic information in the passing of life from one generation to the next in the One Health perspective. Livestock will add a crucial dimension, especially as the breeding focus for several decades has resulted in Norwegian cattle and swine being world-leaders in reproductive efficacy. CRESCO combine complementary expertise on epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications, DNA repair and genome (in)stability, single-cell and single-nucleotide analysis, embryology and healthy development.

The species to be included in the PhD project are e.g. cattle, swine and mice, and possible techniques are e.g. in vitro fertilization, ICSI, Chip-Seq.

The candidate’s main supervisor will be Professor Elisabeth Kommisrud. Co-supervisors will be selected from CRESCO partners depending on the final PhD project proposal.

It is a requirement that the PhD research fellow qualifies for admission to the University's PhD programme in biotechnology. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.

To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant must have a minimum master's degree or master's level (120 credits, §3 master's in the Norwegian system) or equivalent education, within reproductive biotechnology, embryology, molecular biology, biology, biotechnology and/or breeding and genetics, and/or statistics and bioinformatics, or other relevant subject areas.

Furthermore, you must have a strong academic background from your previous studies, ie. the average grade should be B or better from the master's program (120 credits) or equivalent education. Calculation of the average grade is based on the credits for each course and for the master's thesis. In cases where the education has been approved with the use of the grades passed / failed, the applicant is admitted after an individual assessment. If you have education from abroad, you can contact Logg inn for å se kontaktinformasjon for approval of your education, alternatively a similar assessment will be made in connection with the application process.

The position will require interest, knowledge, and skills in the biology of fertility, with emphasis on embryology and epigenetics. A panel of experts within the appropriate disciplines will evaluate the applicants.

A further preference will be given to candidates with good teamwork characteristics and communication skills and documented scientific publications or other writing experience.

Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the following attributes:

• Professional and personal prerequisites for completing the doctoral degree program within the employment period.
• The ability to work independently and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
• The ability to work in a structured manner and having a large work capacity.
• Solid theoretical insight and interest.

Language proficiency:

• Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must document English competence through an approved test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

Evaluation of candidates for the position will be based on a total assessment of educational background, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation and other eligibility requirements, as defined in the advertisement. In addition, the following will be emphasized: quality of the project description, documented independent research and development work or experience relevant to the project.

Your application must include:

• Application letter including a brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• Proposed project description of the study (max 8 pages, including references), outlining its academic relevance, methods, challenges and possibilities, and containing a tentative progression plan. The project description must be written in English.
• CV detailing your relevant educational background and experience (registered in Jobbnorge's form).
• Copies of academic diplomas and transcripts (A certified English translation of all educational documents is required unless the documents are in Norwegian.)
• A list of publications.
• The names and contact information for two referees.

• Any other documentation you would like us to consider.

Attachments must be uploaded as separate files. If the attachments exceed 30 MB, they must be compressed prior to upload. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all attachments are uploaded. Documents submitted after expiry of the deadline will not be considered in the evaluation of your application.

• An exciting and challenging position at a developing institution

• A place in an ambitious and highly international environment.

• A challenging and exciting project with opportunities for personal and scientific development.

• An independent and flexible work setting that the successful candidate may to a large extent influence her/himself. Daily contact with inspiring skilled colleagues.

• A campus setting surrounded by forests and mountains with opportunities for outdoor recreation.

• Position is paid and placed in position code 1017, PhD candidate in the Government Salary Scale
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension, with among other things, good pension and insurance schemes.

For more information about INN University as an employer, please see Logg inn for å se kontaktinformasjon.

For further details about the position, please contact professor Elisabeth Kommisrud, email: Logg inn for å se kontaktinformasjonLogg inn for å se kontaktinformasjon

HINN believes that there is strength in inclusion and diversity. We desire employees with different competencies, professional combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to an even better way of solving problems. We will facilitate for employees who need assitance to realise their goals. Relevant adaptations can be, for example, technical aids, adapting furniture or adjusting routines, work tasks and working hours.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in the CV or immigrant background, we shall call at least one applicant in each of these categories for an interview. In order to be considered as an applicant in these groups, the applicants must meet certain requirements. You can read more on this here: hLogg inn for å se kontaktinformasjon.

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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.