PhD Research Fellow in Bioinformatics and Gene Regulation

About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Bioinformatics and Gene Regulation is available in the Bioinformatics in Life Science environment at the Department of Biosciences (IBV), University of Oslo.

The starting date is expected no later than October 1, 2025.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

The fellowship period is 4 years, including 25% duty work where half would be dedicated to teaching duties and the other half will entail work such as organizing seminars, conferences, workshops, and webpages for the Bioinformatics in Life Sciences (BiLS) initiative.

BiLS is a new initiative that organises the local bioinformatics community and drives bioinformatics innovation by integrating computational and biological sciences to address complex life science challenges. It fosters collaborations and develops advanced computational tools through a hub for multi-omics and systems biology. 

Project description

The PhD project aims to explore how multiple layers of gene expression regulation—including DNA packaging, transcription initiation, and translation—interact to control gene activity. Using an integrated computational biology approach, the project will bridge traditionally separate areas of study to provide new insights into fundamental biological processes relevant to health and disease.

Your main tasks will be 

The candidate will analyze and integrate in-house and publicly available multi-omics datasets, including those from cutting-edge technologies such as nanopore sequencing, Hi-C, ribosome profiling, and CAGE. This interdisciplinary work will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of gene regulation from DNA to proteins. Key scientific questions will include:

1. How do 3D genome organization and enhancer-promoter spatial associations, as revealed by Hi-C, inform transcription start site (TSS) usage?
2. How does alternative promoter selection impact translation efficiency?

The PhD is part of the Bioinformatics in Life Sciences (BiLS) initiative, offering an engaging research environment and opportunities for scientific collaboration. The position includes 25% duty work related to organizing seminars, conferences, and other activities for BiLS.

Qualifications 

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Required:

1. Master’s degree (or equivalent) in bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, or related fields
   1. Foreign completed degrees (M.Sc.-level) must correspond to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
2. Experience with high-throughput sequencing omics data analysis
3. Proficiency in programming with Python, R, or C++

Desired:

1. Familiarity with statistical and machine learning techniques.
2. Knowledge about molecular biology and/or gene regulation.
3. Experience with nanopore sequencing, Hi-C, ribosome profiling, or CAGE data analysis.
4. Experience with software development.
5. Experience with Nextflow or Snakemake

Language requirement

• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:

https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

Candidates without a master’s degree have until 30 June 2025 to complete the final exam.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:  http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

What are we looking for in you? 

• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration and contributing to scientific communication efforts
• Strong organisational skills

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We offer

• Vibrant international academic environment
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Good welfare schemes.
• Career development programmes
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Doctoral Research Fellow, position code 1017, in salary range NOK from 536 200 - 575 400, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

Application

Your application should include:

• A cover letter detailing your motivation, research interests, and relevant experience
• A cover letter detailing your motivation, research interests, and relevant experience
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts, and any other relevant certificates
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Foreign applicants should attach an official explanation of their University's grading system.

General information

The best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews. 

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian),  Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.