About the project/work tasks:
Salmon is susceptible for a range of viral diseases, and as for humans, it is challenging to develop efficient viral diseases. Farmed fish are particularly vulnerable due to high stocking density in the cages, and more effective vaccines than those currently available is needed to reduce mortality among fish and thus contribute to several of the UN’s sustainability goals, including goal no. 2 which is to eradicate hunger.
In this post-doctoral project, we will investigate adaptive immune responses in salmon after vaccination. We will vaccinate salmon with an mRNA vaccine, compare the responses with other vaccine types, isolate immune cells from various immune organs and do single cell RNA sequencing. In addition to transcriptomics, will methods such as microscopy, immunostaining and spatial transcriptomics be central, as well as work with RNA and cultivation of viruses.
The project is based on work in Gyri Haugland’s research group where we have developed protocols for making an mRNA vaccine for salmon, as well as the fact that we have carried out the first vaccine trials. The candidate gets to work in a busy and engaging research environment with other post doctors, PhDs, master’s and bachelor’s students. There will also be an opportunity for a research stay with our partner in Germany.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
- Applicants must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent degree within immunology, vaccinology, bioinformatics or molecular biology. PhD-students may apply if defence of the PhD-thesis is completed by 30.06.2025. It is a condition of employment that the PhD has been awarded
- Experience from transcriptome assembly and analysis, including differential expressed gene (DEG) analysis, is a requirement
- Experience from single cell RNA sequencing is an advantage
- Experience with fish immunology and vaccinology is an advantage
- Experience with genomics is an advantage
- Experience with spatial transcriptomics is an advantage
- Experience with microscopy and immunostaining is an advantage
- Experience with molecular biology methods is an advantage
- Passed Animal science course (FELASA C or equivalent) is an advantage
- Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner, and have the ability to cooperate with others
- Applicants must have excellent skills in oral and written English
Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, 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 postdoctoral position is a fixed term position with the primary objective of qualifying the appointee for work in top academic positions. If the appointee lacks teaching experience, or other relevant qualifications, the employment period may be increased to 4 years in total. Teaching and other duties will in such cases be added to the position. The position may be extended by up to 6 months (maximum 4 years in total) if the appointee is granted externally financed research stays abroad. 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, nor 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
- position as postdoctoral fellow (code 1352 in the basic collective agreement) and a gross annual salary of NOK 624 500 upon appointment. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position. A higher salary may be considered for a particularly well-qualified applicant
- enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- good welfare benefits
Your application 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 referees. One of these should be the main advisor from the PhD programme
- CV
- transcripts and diplomas. If you have not yet completed your PhD degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the expected date of award of your degree. Your PhD degree must be documented with transcripts and/or diploma before starting in the position
- relevant certificates/references
- list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)
- any publications
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at JobbNorge.
General information:
For further details about the position, please contact:
Professor Gyri Teien Haugland, University of Bergen, phone: +47 5558445, or associate professor Anita Rønneseth, University of Bergen, phone: +47 55584421.
For HR related questions, please contact HR adviser Magnus Larsen.
Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.
We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.
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.
