PhD scholarship in genetic improvement of Atlantic salmon Omega-3 content using Raman spectroscopy

10 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

Research Field

Biological sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Norway

Application Deadline

14 Jan 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
About the position

We at the Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences (IHA), Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in Ås near Oslo, seek to fill a vacant 3-year PhD–position in Animal Breeding and Genetics.

The research project

The PhD project “Raman spectroscopic phenotyping for genomic improvement of fatty acid content in Atlantic Salmon” is a key part of the NFR project DigiFishent: Digital phenotyping for more feed and resource efficient Atlantic salmon. This project is a collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (Nofima) experts in vibrational spectroscopic methods in food research.

The project aims to develop rapid and non-destructive digital phenotypes for the Omega-3 and Omega-6 complex in Atlantic salmon, which will be combined with state-of-the-art genomic prediction models and feed intake modelling.

The applicant will be based at NMBU with the possibility for short national research stays at Nofima, Sundalsøra, and an international stay with  a relevant group of excellence.

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 programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

• Collect Raman spectroscopic measurements on fillets of freshwater and saltwater phase genotyped cohorts of Atlantic salmon
• Manipulate multivariate Raman spectra for prediction of fatty acids phenotypes
• Estimate genomic parameters within and between freshwater and saltwater phases in large cohorts of 2000 + individuals
• Apply genomic prediction and mapping models to Omega-3 fatty acids phenotypes like EPA and DHA.

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

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree or a cand.med.vet. degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description .

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

Required Academic qualifications:

• A strong Master’s degree in a relevant quantitative field (Quantitative genetics, Data Science & Genetics, Animal breeding, Aquaculture breeding, Statistical genetics)
• Good academic writing skills

Desired qualifications and competences

• Knowledge on computer programming (e.g experience with any of the following: R, SAS, Python, Linux)
• Knowledge of quantitative genetics software for variance component estimation and breeding value prediction (DMU, ASReml, Wombat, VCE, etc)

Personal skills:

• Curiosity and high motivation for research
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral in English
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• A strong interest in animal or aquaculture genetics

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 532.200,-) 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 Dr. Gareth Difford
E-mail: [email protected] ; phone +47 413 43 309

Information for PhD applicants  and general information to applicants

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: 14.01.2024

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.

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.

Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)

Complete CV 

Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, 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.

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.

Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3) . 

Names and contact details for two references

Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Biosciences

The Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) aims to help shape the future food- and bio-production through teaching and research within biology and sustainable production and use of plants, livestock and fish. The faculty has an annual turnover of approx. 250 million kroner. The faculty is organized into nine research sections: Genome Biology, Breeding and

Quantitative Genetics, Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology, Ethology and Animal Environment, Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Agroecology, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Plant Protection and Food Crops, Plant Biology and Biotechnology. The faculty has seven large and small research centers and laboratories, including a Center for Outstanding Innovation  - Foods of Norway. The faculty is responsible for bachelor's and master's degrees in Aquaculture, Biology, Animal Science and Plant science as well as English-language master's degrees in Agroecology, Plant Sciences, Feed Manufacturing Technology and Genome Sciences.

The faculty is responsible for PhD degrees in animal science and plant science. The faculty currently has about 690 bachelor and master students and 90 PhD students. The faculty has about 240 employees and its own faculty administration.

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

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

Country

Norway

City

Ås

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://universitypositions.eu/jobs/phd-scholarship-in-genetic-improvement-of-a…

Contact

Website

http://www.universitypositions.eu

STATUS: EXPIRED