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 three-year PhD–position in Animal Sciences with main focus on quantitative genetics as a way to characterise holobiomics and hologenomics.

The PhD project “Holobiomics of resource efficiency in Atlantic salmon” is a part of the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Doctoral Network HoloGen.

HoloGen is a MSCA Doctoral Network that will train the next generation of researchers in the emerging field of hologenomics. Microorganisms living in and on animal hosts impact nearly every biological process, and hologenomics aims to uncover how hosts and microbes interact. Understanding these interactions will transform fields from basic biology to applied science in agrobiology, biomedicine, and more.

HoloGen brings together experts from 18 partners across Europe (universities, research institutes and industry), and will combine expertise in symbiosis biology, microbial ecology, computational biology, and more. The network will offer the successful candidates an unprecedented learning environment, including a common training program and research visits to both academic and industry partners.

See https://www.hologen-network.eu to learn more.

The candidate is supported by two Norwegian Research Council projects: DigiFishent and ImprovAFish. The PhD project aims to identify how host genetic variation contributes to the gut microbiome, and how these jointly affect the host’s feed efficiency and fatty acid profile.

The applicant will be based at IHA, NMBU in Ås, with the possibility for an international stay at a relevant group of excellence. You will be part of a collaboration between two labs, the Sandve-lab https://srsandve.org/ and the PhenotypeForge https://garethdifford.com/phenotypeforge.

To be eligible, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g., studies, work, research) in Norway for more than 12 months in the last 3 years immediately prior to this position deadline.

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 microbial samples of Atlantic salmon from elite breeding nucleus fish
Integrate host genomic and microbial genomic datasets
Estimate genomic parameters within and between freshwater and saltwater phases in large cohorts of 1000+ individuals
Apply genomic prediction and mapping models to microbial and resource efficiency traits

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 Master’s degree in quantitative genetics, animal breeding, genomics, bioinformatics or other relevant fields
Documented proficiency in English, both written and oral
Good academic writing skills

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

Knowledge in computer programming (e.g experience with any of the following: R, SAS, Python, Linux)
Good statistical skillset
Experience with statistical models in quantitative genetics/breeding
Knowledge of quantitative genetics software for variance component estimation and breeding value prediction (DMU, ASReml, Wombat, VCE, etc)
Bioinformatic experience with 16S pipelines

Desired 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 Prof. Simen Sandve

E-mail: simen.sandve@nmbu.no; phone +47 94870082

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: 01.11.2024

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
Names and contact details for two references
Attach the output files of a quantitative genetic analysis from DMU, ASReml, Wombat, VCE6 or equivalent software. You will be asked about this in the interview phase.
Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works)
Confirmation that information and documentation submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process

About The Faculty of Biosciences

The Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) aims to shape the future of food and bioproduction through teaching and research in biology and sustainable production and use of plants, livestock and fish. The faculty has a large project portfolio and an annual turnover of approximately NOK 250 million.

BIOVIT is organized into seven research groups: Genome Biology, Breeding, Genetics and Food Production Systems, Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology, Ethology and Animal Welfare, Nutrition and Physiology for Monogastric Animals, Plant Biology, Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Plant Protection, and Genetics, Evolution and Sustainable Plant Production. Additionally, the faculty has seven research support and laboratory units.

BIOVIT is responsible for bachelor’s and master’s programs in aquaculture, biology, animal science, and plant science, as well as English-language master’s programs in Agroecology, Plant Sciences, Feed Manufacturing Technology, and Genome Sciences. BIOVIT also offers Ph.D. programs in animal science and plant science. Currently, the faculty has about 550 bachelor’s and master’s students and 90 Ph.D. students. BIOVIT employs approximately 230 staff members and has its own faculty administration.

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