Postdoctoral fellow within Reproductive Toxicology and New Approach Methodologies

22nd February 2024
Languages
English

• English

English
Are you interested in how chemicals in the environment influence reproductive health?
Postdoctoral fellow within Reproductive Toxicology and New Approach Methodologies
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About the position

Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (VET) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3 year Post Doctoral position related to Reproductive Toxicology and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).

The postdoctoral fellow will be working in a multidisciplinary research group within the Horizon Europe project CHIASMA (Accessible Innovative Methods for the Safety and Sustainability Assessment of Chemicals and Materials) funded by the European Union (EU).

The overall objective is to develop and validate a comprehensive set of animal-free new approach methodologies (NAMs) and integrate them into a user-friendly, reliable and robust framework for the assessment of human and environmental safety in a regulatory context.

The developed NAMs will be tested within three case studies (PFAS, (nano)pesticides and 2D chemicals/materials for energy applications) to demonstrate the regulatory relevance and cross-sectoral applicability of the project’s framework.

As part of a consortium of 20 partners, our working group is investigating how environmental factors interfere with the BPG (Brain-Pituitary-Gonad)-axis using model fish as experimental model. The post doctoral fellow will be developing NAMs for reducing and replacing animal experiments within reproductive toxicity (RT) testing. The aim is to increase robustness and throughput in RT testing and to provide a mechanistic understanding of chemicals’ modes-of-action as a basis for risk assessment. Specifically, the post doctoral fellow will focus on establishing ex vivo/in vitro neuroendocrine and gonadal plasticity methodologies. Visits to research groups abroad might be possible.

Main tasks

• Establish protocols for chemical exposures in ex vivo and in vitro brain-pituitary complexes, sperm and/or oocytes before and after fertilization.
• Use advanced methods for evaluation (microdissection, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), flow cytometry, in toto fluorescent in situ hybridization, confocal microscopy, 3D imaging, in vitro fertilization).
• Use of bioinformatics tools to increase mechanistic insights.

Håkon Sparre/NMBU via Unsplash Håkon Sparre/NMBU
Competence

Required Academic qualifications

• PhD degree within fish reproduction, reproductive toxicology, molecular biology, or other relevant research area. Degree must be completed prior to employment.
• Certified to work with animal experiments according to EU Regulations.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral.

The following experiences and skills are desired:

• Experience with fish experiments and microdissection.
• Experience with relevant laboratory methodologies.
• Relevant toxicological competence.
• Good communication skills in Norwegian or other Scandinavian language.

Personal qualities required:

• High level of commitment and interest in groundbreaking scientific work in a leading EU research environment.
• Team spirit.
• Flexible and positive.
• Problem-solving attitude.

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1352 Postdoctoral Fellow, salary grade from 62–77 (NOK fra 604.900 – 796.600) depending on qualifications. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.

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.

For further information, please contact Ass Prof Mette H. Müller,

E-mail: [email protected] ; phone +47 94815141.

General Information to applicants

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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: 22.02.2024

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.

Up to ten publications selected by the applicant as most relevant must be attached to the application. If it is difficult to identify the contribution of the applicant in multiple-author publications, a short explanation about the applicant’s part of the work is suggested.

Printed material which cannot be sent electronically should be sent by surface mail to Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, within 2 weeks after publication. Please quote reference number 24/ 00671.

Applicants invited for an interview will be asked to present verified copies of 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 via Unsplash 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

Apply for this job
Deadline

22nd February 2024

Employer

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

Municipality

Ås

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service
Universitetstunet 3, 1430 Ås

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