Researcher Position: Evolutionary Origin of Synapses and Neurons

About The University of Bergen

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. 

SARS – Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology (Sars Centre) is situated at the Marineholmen campus together with other research institutes at the University. The Sars Centre is partner with European Molecular Biological Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany and is organized directly under Rector at UiB. – Read more here .

Researcher Position:

There is a vacancy for a 2-year Researcher position at the Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology (http://www.sars.no/ ) in the research group of Dr. Pawel Burkhardt. The position is funded by Sars Centre core funding. The Sars Centre belongs to the University of Bergen and is a partner of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) http://www.embl.org . The place of work will be at the Sars Centre. The preferred starting time is December 2022.

About the project/work tasks:

The Burkhardt group combines comparative biological systems in the laboratory to understand when and how first synapses, neurons and nervous systems evolved. The group is particularly interested in studying the nervous system of ctenophores. Ctenophores – strong candidates for being the sister-group to all other animals – are beautiful, but still mysterious marine animals. Given their phylogenetic position characterizing the nervous system of ctenophores promises to reveal fundament insights into the evolutionary origin of neurons. We are looking for a highly self-motivated and enthusiastic Researcher with interests in evolutionary biology, neurobiology and developmental biology. The project will focus on the characterization of gap junctions during the development of ctenophores. The successful candidate will undertake research using in situ hybridization (ISH), immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy and single cell sequencing techniques. The successful candidate will work in close association with the group leader and other lab members with the aim to contribute to the further development of the project in line with her/his interests.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree in fields related to the project and 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
• Strong motivation/enthusiasm to perform research at an internationally competitive level
• Practical experience in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy is required
• Specific experience in working with marine invertebrates (preferentially ctenophores) is required
• Practical experience in animal dissociation and singe cell sequening is highly desired
• The ability to work both independently and to cooperate with others in a structured manner is essential
• Proficiency in both written and oral English

We can offer:

• A good and professionally challenging working environment
• Salary as Researcher (code 1109) according to the state salary scale upon appointment. This currently constitutes of a gross annual salary of NOK 573.900. 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

Applications in English must include:

• A brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be your main PhD supervisor
• 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 any attachments along with certified translations in English or another Scandinavian language must be uploaded to JobbNorge.

Please send your application with attachments electronically via JobbNorge by clicking on the button “Apply for this job”. The application in English and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at JobbNorge.Please note that applications will be assessed only with the information available in JobbNorge when the deadline expires. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all relevant attachments are submitted by the deadline.

Applications by e-mail only will not be considered.

Closing date for application: 28 October 2022.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Group Leader Pawel Burkhardt, phone.: +47 906 48 539, email: Pawel.Burkhardt@uib.no .

The state workforce 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.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here .

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