PhD position in Functional and Evolutionary Genomics

About the PhD fellowship

Much of life’s diversity is mediated by variation in life-histories, impacting species adaptation, survival, or reproduction, yet very little is known about the underlying molecular basis. Atlantic salmon is among the most variable vertebrates on Earth in terms of life-histories, making it a powerful model to study how complex differences in ecologically relevant life-history traits are regulated at the molecular level. Leveraging on state-of-the-art functional genomics, this groundbreaking PhD project will study the molecular basis of the spectacular variation found in life-history variation of Atlantic salmon.

The PhD candidate will contribute towards discovering the molecular mechanisms that encode for reproductive allometry and maturation age variation in Atlantic salmon. The project will have multifold impacts across basic and applied science: i) to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling allometry and maturation in an evolutionary context, ii) to deliver comprehensive knowledge of reproductive traits for applications in aquaculture, and iii) to identify potential target genes for precision breeding of egg, brood, and maturation characteristics. Furthermore, by using a naturally fast-reproducing dwarf Atlantic salmon for functional experiments, this project will establish a novel experimental system to study freshwater adaptive traits of potential value to land-based aquaculture.

The candidate will join the Genomics division at Nord University. Associate Professor Jukka-Pekka Verta will lead the project, in collaboration with researchers at Concordia University (Canada).

The vibrant city of Bodø is surrounded by stunning Arctic nature and offers excellent quality of life in one of the world’s most developed countries. In addition to developing projects at a state-of-the-art recirculating aquatic facility (RAS), the candidate will have access to brand-new molecular laboratories and offices at the new Noatun building.

The contract will be for a 3-year period without teaching. The start date is set for January 1, 2025, though this is flexible.

Qualification requirements

• A master’s degree in a relevant field of study is required
• Applicants from outside the EU/EEA must submit NOKUT approval of their master’s degree
• Grade average of B or better (or equivalent score) both for the programme in total and the master’s thesis
• The grades at the qualifying MSc examination needs to be B or better (ECTS scale from A-E) to be admitted to the PhD program.
• See admission requirements: PhD in Biosciences
• It is assumed that the person who is hired is admitted to the faculty’s doctoral program. Final project outline with plan for the doctoral work must be approved and agreed upon no later than 3 months after accession. Termination may be considered if admission to the doctoral program is not available within this deadline, due to lack of annual reporting of progress and/or serious failure in progress and in duty work. For admission requirements and regulations, see our web page.

The candidate should be self-motivated with demonstrated organization and time-management skills. Good written and spoken skills in English are essential. Candidates with experience in molecular genetics wet-lab work, with skills in the programming language R, or with other bioinformatics skills will be preferred. Prior experience with functional genomics (e.g. RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, scRNA-seq) is considered a significant advantage, but not required. Peer-reviewed publications in a field relevant to the project are not required but are considered as an advantage.

Qualified applicants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

• The applicant’s description of motivation for the doctoral work and their commitment for completion of PhD project within 3 years
• Demonstrated experience and enthusiasm in related research work such as ecological and evolutionary genomics, functional genomics, or evolutionary biology
• Demonstrated ability for independent, goal-oriented and systematic scientific work

We offer

The annual salary for doctoral researchers (code 1017) is set at wage level 54, NOK 532 200,- in the Norwegian State Salary Scale.

• Advantages within the Government Pension Fund for borrowing, insurance and pension
• Inclusive and collegial working environment
• A workplace with progressive development
• Flexible working hours
• Active university sports team

General information

The person who is appointed must abide by the applicable laws, agreements, and directives. The responsibilities and duties associated with the position may change with future reorganization at Nord University.

The public sector workforce is expected to reflect the diversity of the population in general. Nord University therefore encourages qualified candidates with disabilities, gaps in their CV, immigrant backgrounds or different life experience to apply.

If applicants indicate they have disabilities or gaps in their CV, their details may be used anonymously for the purposes of governmental annual review.

Application process

Applicants will be evaluated by an internal expert committee. Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview, trial lecture or other presentations.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically by 01.09.2024

The application should include:

• Application letter with description of your motivation for applying for the position
• Complete CV (education, work and teaching experience and overview of any scientific publications)
• Copy of diploma for both bachelor and master education and relevant certificates
• Copy of the applicant’s master’s thesis as a PDF file
• Name and contact information of 1-3 references including the supervisor of their MSc thesis (name, your relation to the person, email and phone number)

All documents must be uploaded as attachments to the electronic application form.

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the complete documentation within the deadline.

After the application period has expired a list of applicants will be published. Note that, in special cases, the identity of particular applicants to a position may be made public even when that applicant has requested that their application be processed confidentially. Applicants requesting an exemption from publication of their identity must explain their reasons for doing so in their application. In this case, advance notice will be given in the event of a decision to make any information about the applicant public.

Refnr. 30212424