PhD position within basic veterinary science

About the position

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant PhD position related to investigations of a unique line of goats that lack the prion protein. The PhD position is for a period of 3 years and linked to the EU-funded research project Rumigen (Ruminant breeding through genomic and epigenomic approaches). The position is at the Biochemistry Unit at the Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology.

In this project, we will investigate Norwegian dairy goats that, due to a mutation, completely lack expression of the prion protein (PrP), a protein well-known for its crucial role in neurodegenerative prion diseases.

We aim to identify molecular, neurological and/or pathophysiological traits (phenotypes) caused by loss of PrP functions. For instance, production parameters accessible with non-invasive methods will be investigated, such as growth and development, milk quality and yield.

We will also investigate the cellular architecture in the HPG hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis with in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence and at the ultrastructural level.

In the Rumigen project, phenotypes characterized in the non-transgenic Norwegian goats will be compared with phenotypes in French Alpine goats after marker-assisted introgression (breeding) and after genome editing (transgenics) in Alpine goats.

Main tasks

• Carry out Prnp genetic analyses of the goat herd at the Livestock Production Research Centre at Ås and selected commercial herds.
• Compare production traits in normal goats with those observed in goats without or with reduced levels of PrP.
• Develop and conduct investigations at the morphological (light-microscopic and ultrstructural) and molecular (in situ hybridization) level, for instance of the HPG axis and/or cerebellum in goats with and without PrP
• Write and publish scientific papers.
• Present results at international conferences and summits in the Rumigen consortium.

The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.

Competence

In order to be appointed, the candidate must meet the requirements for admission to one of the PhD programs at NMBU. A master's degree of at least 120 credits (ECTS) is required, which is based on a bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits (ECTS), or cand.med.vet. degree, or integrated master's degree of at least 300 credits (ECTS). The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies, and be able to document good English skills, both written and oral. For more detailed information on admission criteria, see the PhD Regulations  and the “supplementary provisions for the PhD programmes ”.

The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications

• Veterinary education (DVM) or master’s degree (MSc) in relevant biomedical sciences such as cellular and/or molecular biology.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Experience with animal work, especially farm animals.
• Experience from laboratory work.
• Experience/training in scientific writing.
• Good written and oral communication skills in Norwegian.

Personal suitability as evident from interviews will be emphasized

Personal skills

You need to have:

• strong motivation and dedication
• good collaboration skills

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD Fellow, pay scale 20 (salary step. 54-62) (NOK 491.200,- – 563.900,-). PhD Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 491.200, -) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For further information, please contact Professor Michael A. Tranulis. 

E-mail: [email protected]  phone +47 46417637

Information for PhD applicants  and general Information to applicants

Application

The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD program at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment. 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.

In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

Application deadline: 15.10.2021

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter
• Application letterProject with some possible issues, limitations and methods chosen on the basis of the description of the main project - this will be further processed by appointment
• Complete CV 
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system. Diplomas/certificates (i.e. Diploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). (Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.)
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English
• Names and contact details for two reference
• Any documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works)

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 Medicine and Sports and Family Animal Medicine. We also run the Animal Hospital, which is closely linked to our research and education, and receives patients from all over the country.

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,800 employees of which about 250 phd scholarships and 6,000 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.

NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.

We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.