Researcher in Environmental DNA

Job description

The Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, is recruiting a researcher within the framework of Biodiversa+ project METAPLANTCODE for 24 months.

Starting date: August 1st 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

More about the position

We are seeking a researcher as part of the European Biodiversa+ funded project METAPLANTCODE: Harmonizing plant metabarcoding pipelines in Europe to support monitoring activities. This consortium encompasses partners from 10 European countries. The project runs from April 2024 to March 2027. Currently, two out of five plant species are threatened with extinction, which affects many other organisms. Plant metabarcoding, including analyzing environmental DNA, is currently not standardized, preventing high-throughput large-scale analyses. METAPLANTCODE will harmonize best practices for metabarcoding of plants collected across Europe to accelerate species monitoring and integrate biodiversity data. Existing pipelines for species identification are standardized and linked to reference databases.

Best practices on FAIR data publishing will be incorporated in the GBIF and INSDC websites. ELIXIR-compatible DL-models will be implemented in novel tools. We are seeking a researcher to coordinate biodiveristy monitoring use-cases in METAPLANTCODE. The aim is to standardize species identification through links with (inter)national checklists, red lists, floras, and the Catalogue of Life. Literature will be semantically enriched with new entity recognition modules. A newly built interface will link taxonomic names and facilitate conversion. Knowledge transfer to species organizations will occur in workshops.

Please contact us for further information (see the contact information below). The successful candidate for this position will work in close collaboration with the research director who is leading the relevant work package in the project.

Qualification requirements

The candidate must have:

• A degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree (PhD) in biology or related disciplines. For candidates not having finished their doctoral degree, the doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation by the closing date of the call. An appointment is dependent on the defense of the doctoral dissertation being approved.
• A strong academic track record in the field of environmental DNA, including teaching of relevant methods, field work and experience in different sampling techniques, planning and execution of projects, supervision of students, and publication of research results.
• Proven experience with bioinformatic scripts for analysis of eDNA-data.
• Excellent communication skills (including written and spoken English).

It is preferable that the candidate has (and can document):

• Experience in managing and motivating research teams.
• Experience in coordinating researchers in teams without dependence on physical meetings.

Personal skills

We are looking for a highly motivated, creative, and structured candidate with excellent collaborative qualities.

We offer

• salary NOK 657 300 – 708 000 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Researcher (position code 1109)
• a dynamic and friendly working environment
• membershitp in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• attractive welfare benefits in addition to Oslo´s rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include the follwoing elements as separate documents

• Cover letter
• CV
• A statement on how this position will fit within your overall research plans
• Name, academic relation, and contact information of two references from two different institutions

Please note that the application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruitment system. Please note also that all documents should be in English.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented academic qualifications, as well as the candidate's motivation and personal suitability.

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.

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

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

About the position:

• Professor Hugo de Boer (h.de.boer@nhm.uio.no)
• Professor Micah Dunthorn (micah.dunthorn@nhm.uio.no)

About the recruitment system:

• HR-Adviser Thomas Brånå (thomas.brana@nhm.uio.no)