Job description

A three-year full-time PhD Research Fellowship position (position code 1017) is available in the forensic biology group at the at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo (UiO).

More about the position

The position is available from autumn 2019 with a flexible start. The position will be located in the section of forensic biology (OUS, Rikshospitalet). The announced position is part of the UiO Convergence Environment Evidently Rape, which is headed by Prof. May-Len Skilbrei. The primary objective of Evidently Rape is to study how physical evidence matters and can matter in how the crime of rape is met by medical and criminal justice institutions.

The Forensic Biology research group at the UiO and OUS focuses on forensic based DNA technology. Our primary aim is to develop methods and tools which provide valuable information in criminal cases and inferences of relationship. The group has developed state-of-the-art tools and methods for the interpretation of complex mixed DNA profiles. We also work to improve methods for the sampling of biological material, improvement of forensic DNA database search and match reporting, developing new MPS panels for various purposes, improving and evaluating new methods for relationship inference, increasing the understanding of forensic DNA trace transfer and persistence and to improve cell type identification in forensic casework. The group is a member of Euroforgen-NoE. We are closely integrated with the Section of Forensic Biology at OUS, a casework laboratory with about 55 employees. The section performs analysis of biological traces in criminal cases on behalf of the police and judiciary.

The successful candidate will be working to develop tools that will aid interpretation and understanding of DNA traces at activity level in sexual assault cases and to deliver an unbiased framework for reliable statistical interpretation of opposing hypotheses put forward by the prosecution and defense lawyers. The work will involve experiments to understand mechanisms of transfer and persistence of biological material based on type of body fluid, sampling location and factors known to influence transfer and persistence. Analysis will involve Massive parallel sequencing (MPS) and capillary electrophoresis analysis of RNA and DNA.

The research fellow must take part in the Faculty’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The successful candidate must, in collaboration with her/his supervisor, within 3 months after employment, have worked out a complete project description to be attached to the application for admission to the doctoral program. For more information, please see our web site.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in molecular biology or equivalent and must fulfil the requirements for a PhD position at the University of Oslo
• The candidate must be able to work as part of a team
• Experience with forensic genetics and/or MPS is considered an advantage.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis, programming in R and Bayesian networks is favorable, but not a requirement.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

The Faculty of Medicine has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

We offer

• An exciting research environment with opportunities for academic development.
• Salary NOK 479 600 to NOK 513 600 (pay grade 54-58) per annum, depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017).
• 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:

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• CV (summarizing education, positions, and academic work, including scientific publications)
• Master’s thesis
• Copies of educational certificates and transcript of records
• Letters of recommendation or names and contact details of 2–3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system Jobbnorge, please follow the links “apply for this job”. 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).

Applicants, who are invited for an interview, may be asked to provide educational certificates, diploma or transcript of records.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

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.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Contact information

• Professor Peter Gill, UIO, Department of Forensic Medicine, e-mail: peter.gill@medisin.uio.no
• Ane Elida Fonneløp, e-mail: rmanfo@ous-hf.no
• HR-adviser Karoline Berg-Eriksen, (questions regarding the online application form),e-mail: Karoline.berg-eriksen@medisin.uio.no

About the University of Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.

The Institute of Clinical Medicine (Klinmed) is one of three institutes under the Faculty. Klinmed is responsible for the Faculty's educational and research activities at Oslo University Hospital and Akershus University Hospital. With about 800 employees spread over approximately 425 man-labour years, Klinmed is the university's largest institute. Our activities follow the clinical activity at the hospitals and are spread across a number of geographical areas.