NEURODATA MANAGEMENT RESEARCHER / CURATOR

Job description

ONE POSITION AS NEURODATA MANAGEMENT RESEARCHER / CURATOR is available at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, for a period of up to 2 years. The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences consists of academic departments and units that pursue research and education within basic medical science. More information about the institute can be found here: www.med.uio.no/imb/english/.

The data researcher will work in a multidisciplinary environment at the Neural Systems laboratory (NeSys). The laboratory has a leading role in the Data Services of the EBRAINS Research Infrastructure - the European distributed research infrastructure for brain and brain-inspired research (https://ebrains.eu). Current developments are supported by the EU-funded EBRAINS 2.0 project.

EBRAINS Data Services aim to become the primary research infrastructure services for sharing, integrating, and analysing diverse and multiscale neuroscience data from the broader global research community, particularly in Europe. EBRAINS was included in the European roadmap of research infrastructures (ESFRI) in 2021. 

In the EBRAINS Research Infrastructure, the Neural Systems Laboratory (www.med.uio.no/nesys) is responsible for 1) creating new standards for brain atlases through development and maintenance of resources and tools for atlas-based integration and analysis of experimental rodent brain data, and 2) providing services for FAIR neuroscience data and data processing. 

The neurodata management researcher will primarily be part of the UiO team for neuroscience data life cycle management and data processing. The position should be filled as soon as possible.

More about the position

The data researcher to be employed will have specific responsibilities for:

• Curation of structural and functional neurodata and associated metadata submitted to EBRAINS
• Contributing to developing, improving, and automating data management and curation workflows for handling of neurodata
• Supporting and training researchers submitting neurodata for sharing via the EBRAINS infrastructure
• Providing guidance about legal and ethical aspects relevant for data sharing and options for restricted, controlled, or open sharing of data
• Contributing to communication and dissemination about EBRAINS resources for data management and analysis

Qualification requirements

We are looking for a highly motivated and competent researcher with relevant experiences, holding a PhD degree in a relevant field of life science, who enjoys working in an international and interactive environment. Candidates must have:

• Experience with management and preparation of data and metadata for open sharing of neuroscience data
• Experience with a variety of research approaches in brain research
• Proficiency using standard computational tools and skills with computational scripting (Python)
• Documentation of strong verbal and written academic communication skills 

Selection criteria

The successful candidates should be a good team player with excellent organization and communication skills, and good abilities for multitasking, and with a positive and pro-active attitude. Experience in working in an academic and / or multicultural / multidisciplinary environment is an advantage. Emphasis will be attributed to individual suitability and qualifications, including knowledge of human neuroscience methods (neuroimaging and functional recording methods), ethical guidelines and legal aspects of human data sharing. Short-listed applicants may be invited for an interview at the University of Oslo or by videoconference. As part of the hiring procedure, shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in skills testing to assess the required job-related competencies.

We offer

• Salary NOK 584 500 – 720 100 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Researcher (position code 1109) 
• a professionally stimulating working environment attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications list of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and phone number)
• The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, and the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. 

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

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.

Contact information

Jan Bjålie   +47-22851263  or  +47-91787901

 j.g.bjaalie@medisin.uio.no  All email correspondence must include "EBRAINS Neurodata position" in the subject line.