PhD Research Fellow in Evolutionary Biology

Ulla Schildt/NHM
3rd March 2024
Languages
English

• English

English
Natural History Museum
PhD Research Fellow in Evolutionary Biology
Apply for this job
See advertisement
Job description

Applications are invited for a position as PhD Research Fellow in Evolutionary Biology available at the Natural History Museum in Oslo (NHM).

The fellowship period is 4 years including 25% duty work that may consist of collection work, teaching, and/or supervision duties depending on the needs of NHM and the applicant's qualification.

Starting date as soon as possible.

Colourbox via Unsplash Colourbox
More about the position

The PhD candidate will join the Sex and Evolution Research Group (SERG) at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in Oslo, and become a part of a dynamic research environment, collaborating with other PhD students, Master students, postdocs, and researchers.

SERG seeks new insights about the role of sex and sexual selection in evolutionary processes, at all levels of biological variation, from genes and genomes via gametes to morphology and behaviour, among individuals, populations and species of vertebrates. The evolution of multiple mating in passerines, and in particular the evolutionary benefits to females of such behaviour, is one of the main questions for scientists in the group. This PhD-project will be part of an ongoing research programme aiming to unravel the importance of MHC-based mate choice in passerine mating systems, hypothesising that multiple mating is a female strategy to correct for suboptimal social mate choice with respect to MHC compatibility. The project will consist of both in-depth investigations of MHC-based mate choice, and test plausible selection mechanisms, in an ecological model species, and comparative analyses across passerines species to test the generality of our findings as well as testing broad-scale hypotheses about MHC diversity in this highly diverse group of birds.

The PhD-candidate will work in the DNA lab, with wet lab procedures including DNA extraction, RNA- and amplicon sequencing. A major part of the work will involve amplicon sequencing of both classes of MHC, on an extensive dataset from the bluethroat as well as datasets from a selection of other passerines, covering the phylogenetic range of the order. Another important part of the work will be the downstream bioinformatic pipeline to produce quality-controlled MHC genotypes for further analyses. All the samples needed for the project have already been collected, but there may be possibilities for additional field work.

Arild Johnsen will serve as the main supervisor, supported by 1-3 co-supervisors.

Qualification requirements

We seek a highly motivated, enthusiastic, hard-working and competent candidate with good collaborative skills. The candidate needs the following formal qualifications:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Biology with a specialization or clear profile in evolutionary biology/molecular ecology.
• Good communication skills (including written and spoken English)
• Foreign completed degrees (M.Sc.-level) must correspond to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system

The following skills are necessary, preferable or beneficial:

• Experience with bioinformatic analyses of molecular data is necessary; experience with using the R programming language is preferable.
• Knowledge of molecular wet lab procedures is preferable
• Experience with phylogenetic comparative methods is preferable.
• Field experience and experience with handling birds is beneficial

Grade requirements

The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements: https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8 

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme 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/ 

Personal skills

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative candidate with excellent collaboration and communication skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team.

We offer

• Salary NOK 532 200 - 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• An inspiring, dynamic and friendly international working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits in addition to Oslo’s rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include the following elements as separate documents:

• Application letter, which includes an explanation for how the PhD project fit into the applicant’s career plan
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work, scientific publications and other relevant experience)
• Copies of educational certificates, e.g., copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluating committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, affiliation, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number). The references will be contacted if necessary. Letters of recommendation are therefore not required for the initial application.

Please note that the application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruitment system. Please note also that all documents should be provided in English.

In the assessment of the applications special emphasis will be placed on the candidate's motivation and personal suitability.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

General information about the institution: Professor Hugo de Boer ([email protected])

About the PhD project: Professor Arild Johnsen ([email protected])      

About the recruitment system: HR-Adviser Thomas Brånå ([email protected])

via Unsplash
About the University of Oslo and the Natural History Museum

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.

The Natural History Museum at the University of Oslo is Norway’s most comprehensive natural history collection. For almost 200 years, specimens of animals, fungi, plants, rocks, minerals and fossils have been collected, studied and preserved here. The museum is located in the beautiful Botanical Garden, which is not only popular for recreation, but is a scientific collection in itself.

Apply for this job
Deadline

3rd March 2024

Employer

University of Oslo

Municipality

Oslo

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Sars' gate 1, 0562 Oslo

Loading...