Postdoctoral Research Fellow position: Mapping the neuronal basis of larval settlement in Ciona

About The University of Bergen (UiB) 

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad. 

The Michael Sars Centre is situated at the Marineholmen campus together with other research institutes at the University. The Centre is organized as an independent research centre placed within the faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science and partner with European Molecular Biological Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany. – Read more here.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow position:

There is a vacancy for a postdoctoral research fellow position at the Michael Sars Centre in the research group headed by Dr. Marios Chatzigeorgiou. The position is for a period of 3 years and is funded by a NFR grant. The Michael Sars Centre belongs to the University of Bergen and is partner of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) (www.embl.de). The place of work will be at the Michael Sars Centre. The preferred starting date is September 2023 and no later than December 2023.

About the project/work tasks:

Work in the Chatzigeorgiou group focuses on studying the evolution, development and function, of chordate nervous systems, using the invertebrate chordate Ciona intestinalis as a model organism. We perform developmental and functional studies with the aim to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the ability of Ciona larvae to sense a diversity of sensory cues and elicit ethologically relevant behaviours. This project will characterise at multiple levels the brain circuits that mediate mechanosensation and chemosensation in the larva. The first part of the project will focus on leveraging cutting-edge microscopy methods in combination with Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicators, optogenetics and chemogenetics to understand the functional organization of these circuits. The second part will make use of genome editing to identify the receptors that Ciona is using to sense mechanical and chemical cues. It is expected that the successful applicant also collaborates with other members of the workgroup, including students and postdocs.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree preferably within biology or physics or must have submitted his/her doctoral thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded
• Experience with advanced functional imaging techniques (i.e. Calcium and/or Voltage Imaging) and quantitative analysis of behaviour is essential
• Evidence for proficiency in advanced functional imaging and quantitative behavioural analysis is essential. This should come in the form of preprints and/or previous publications in respected peer-reviewed journals
• Evidence for proficiency in the use of programming languages like Matlab and Python is essential
• Experience working with model and/or non-model organisms will be viewed favourably
• Evidence for collaborating with others and teaching junior lab members or interns will be viewed favourably
• Some weekend duties may be required depending on project development, e.g for animal culture
• Proficient written and spoken English is essential, and evidence for communicating results effectively (e.g. writing articles, presenting work at conferences) will be viewed favourably

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position:

The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

About the position of postdoctoral research fellow:

The position of postdoctoral research fellow is a fixed-term appointment with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. The fixed-term period for this position is 3 years. Individuals may not be hired for more than one fixed-term period as a postdoctoral research fellow at the same institution. In accordance with the Research Council’s rules, neither can anyone be hired more than once as an NFR-financed postdoctoral research fellow.

For postdoctoral research fellow positions associated with externally financed projects, the completion of the project proposal for the qualifying work, as well as a progress plan, will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor and head of department.  It is a requirement that the project is completed in the course of the period of employment.  

We can offer:

• A good and professionally stimulating working environment
• Well-equipped, modern laboratories and facilities
• Position as Postdoctoral research fellow (code 1352 in the basic collective agreement) and a gross annual salary of NOK 615.700 (equivalent to pay grade 63) upon appointment. Further promotions are made according to length of service. For particularly highly qualified applicants, a higher salary may be considered
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application in English must include:

• A cover letter of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• The names and contact information 2-3 reference persons. One of these must be the the main advisor from the PhD programme
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas and official confirmation that the doctoral thesis has been submitted
• Relevant certificates/references
• List of publications or other relevant scientific work

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at JobbNorge.

Application Deadline:  30.07.2023

General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained from Group Leader Dr. Marios Chatzigeorgiou, tlf +47 55 58 43 58, email: Marios.Chatzigeorgiou@uib.no.

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

Further information about our employment process can be found here.

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