PhD scholarship within cattle genomics and bioinformatics

The Department of Animal- and Aquacultural Sciences (IHA), Faculty of Biosciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3-year PhD – position related to cattle genomics and bioinformatics.

The main objective of the PhD project is to create haplotype-separated reference genomes in the Norwegian Red breed. These reference genomes will serve as basis for mapping structural variants in this population. Additionally, the project aims to compile comprehensive catalogs of structural variants, represented as genome graphs. These resources will allow us to examine functional consequences of structural variants and create opportunities for developing SV genotyping approaches.

The successful candidate will join CIGENE (https://cigene.no/), a multidisciplinary genome biology research group possessing expertise in

genetics, functional and comparative genomics, bioinformatics and evolutionary biology. CIGENE has excellent wet and dry lab facilities for automated high-throughput omics, and bioinformatics.

Main tasks

The main tasks in the PhD-project are to make haplotype-separated reference genomes in Norwegian Red cattle and use these for mapping structural variants in this population.

The PhD-work is planned with the following sub-goals:

• Establish two haplotype-separated reference genomes in the Norwegian Red breed by trio-sequencing.
• Use long read sequencing data from additional individuals to identify structural variants in the NR-population.
• Examine functional consequences of structural variants and explore SV genotyping approaches.

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:

• Master’s degree in genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, or similar field

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Experience with analysing omics data
• Experience with command-line-based operation of the High-Performance Computing (HPC) system
• Familiarity with at least one programming language (R, python, etc)
• Ability for independent work displaying initiative and creativity
• Analytical and academic approach to research questions

You need to:

• have good collaborative skills
• a high proficiency in English, both written and spoken

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 Prof. Dag Inge Våge,

• E-mail: daginge.vage@nmbu.no
• phone +47 993 24 993

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: 15.10.2023

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. 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.
• 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