Special Engineer

Special Engineer for data science, bioinformatics and high-throughput chemical biology analysis, High-Throughput Chemical Biology Screening Facility.

A full-time position as special engineer is available at the Department of Core Facilities, Institute for Cancer Research, at the Radium Hospital. The position period is two years with the possibility of extension.

The Department operates seven regional and national technology platforms that provide state-of-the-art technology and competence to basic, translational, and clinical research environments. The Institute for Cancer Research plays a central role in the field of cancer research both in Norway and internationally. The position is part of a collaboration with the High-Throughput Chemical Biology Screening Platform, which is located at the Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Medicine Norway (NCMBM, formerly NCMM) at the University of Oslo (UiO) and is funded by Helse Sør-Øst. The core facility offers high-throughput screening services using small molecular chemical compounds in biological systems. It is equipped with state-of-the-art liquid handling technology and detection platforms, and, alongside a comprehensive chemical compound library (approximately 75000 chemical compounds). The Chemical Biology Facility provides a unique portfolio of highly specialised services in the field of chemical biology, including downstream data analysis and is currently operated as a service-based core facility, serving both academic research groups and small to medium-sized enterprises. It is part of the national infrastructure NOR-OPENSCREEN, which is a partner site in the European research infrastructure EU-OPENSCREEN.
The Dept. of Core Facilities is now seeking candidates for the position of Special engineer for data science, bioinformatics and high throughput screening.

Oslo University Hospital is a workplace with great diversity. We believe this is absolutely crucial to solving the tasks required of us. We therefore want this diversity to be reflected among the applicants for our positions and encourage everyone to apply regardless of who you are and what background you have.

We are seeking for:

We are searching for a highly motivated individual with an excellent track record, capable of working both independently and as part of a team. We offer a unique opportunity for someone to develop in a scientific and dynamic environment. The candidate will be employed at the Department of Core Facilities, located at the Institute for Cancer Research, but the work will be closely connected to the Chemical Biology Facility at NCMBM, currently situated at Oslo Science Park (Forskningsparken) on the University of Oslo campus. The facility is set to relocate to the new Life Science Building in 2026. Both institutes possess thriving computational environments, featuring a Bioinformatics Core Facility as part of the Department of Core Facilities, alongside several bioinformatics research groups and a dedicated scientific computing support team at NCMM. The individual will be able to engage in large chemical biology screening campaigns and primarily be responsible for computational tasks. This will include data analysis of screening campaigns, development and implementation of machine learning-based data analyses, database management, and laboratory tasks depending on demand and personal background. The candidate is expected to work on-site at both the Institute for Cancer Research at Radium Hospital and NCMM at UiO.

Tasks include:

• Analyse data sets from screening campaigns comprising several thousand data points.
  
• Drive the development and implementation of new data analysis tools and strategies, including machine learning, high-content imaging, and cheminformatics.
  
• Database management (MySQL with frontend Instant JChem, ChemAxon).
  
• Participate in compound and data management using dedicated software packages and databases.
  
• Participate in planning and performing large-scale chemical biology screens.

Depending on the background and experience of the candidate other working tasks could also be considered.

Qualifications:

• Computational Master or PhD degree in bioinformatics, data science or a related area (biotechnology, engineering, chemistry, physics, biochemistry or biology) is required, but higher education in a relevant field would be valued. Experience from similar work can replace these formal requirements.
  
• Good knowledge of computer scripting languages, e.g. Python and R, is required.
  
• Good knowledge of relational databases and related languages, e.g. SQL, is required.
  
• Good knowledge in data mining e.g., KNIME is an advantage.
  
• Experience with machine learning and image-based data analysis is of advantage.
  
• Experience in computational management of small molecular compound libraries and cheminformatics is advantageous.
  
• Work experience with chemical biology and high throughput screening is of advantage.
  
• A reliable, well-organized candidate with the flexibility needed to work in a service-oriented context will be preferred.
  
• Good written and oral communication skills in English are required. Basic knowledge in Norwegian, both written and oral, is preferred.
  
• Ability to operate as a team player in a multi-disciplinary environment is crucial for a successful candidate.

Applications are submitted by clicking on the link "apply for the position" along with uploaded relevant diplomas and certificates.

Personal qualities

• The candidate should be able to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  
• Good communication skills are required, as the successful applicant is expected to interact closely with users and experimental colleagues at the Radium Hospital and NCMBM.
  
• Good documentation skills of work are required.
  

For more information about the facility, please visit:
https://www.med.uio.no/english/research/core-facilities/chemical-biology-screening/

Or contact:
Johannes Landskron: Johannes.Landskron at ncmm.uio.no
Leonardo A. Meza-Zepeda: l.a.meza-zepeda at ous-research.no