Up to 3 postdoctoral positions in bioinformatics are available at the Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The positions are funded by NTNU as part of the Research Council of Norway’s national Functional Genomics Programme (FUGE).

BACKGROUND:
FUGE started as a national research programme in 2002, and has recently been extended until 2011. In addition to basic research projects in functional genomics the programme also funds several technology platforms. These platforms provide research-based service as well as research collaboration within specific technologies that are considered to be essential to functional genomics. Such technology platforms have been established in several areas, including bioinformatics, proteomics, biobanking, microarray technology and imaging. The postdoc positions will be associated with the technology platform for bioinformatics (http://www.bioinfo.no), but two positions will be shared with the technology platforms for proteomics and biobanking.
The FUGE technology platform for bioinformatics is organised as a shared responsibility between research groups in Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim. It provides competence in bioinformatics to relevant research projects, both through a helpdesk, for simple problems, as well as through active research collaboration for more complex problems. The postdocs will, together with service engineers, be part of the research-based service network provided by the platform. The postdocs will be running their own research projects as part of the ongoing research within the group. However, they are also expected to use up to 50% of their time on research collaboration with external groups as part of the services provided by the FUGE platform.
We are currently considering applications for up to 3 different postdoc positions for bioinformatics. Two of the positions are shared with research groups for proteomics and for biobanks (genotyping).
The main focus area of the research group for bioinformatics is gene regulation, including both transcription factor based regulation, microRNA based regulation and the interaction between these (http://tare.medisin.ntnu.no). The group is developing novel prediction methods as well as robust benchmarking strategies for such methods. It also has some activity on protein sequence analysis, structure prediction and modelling, and is currently initiating new activity towards systems biology, proteomics and genotyping. It is co-located with research groups in molecular biology, including the proteomics and genotyping activity, but has also extensive collaboration with Department of Computer and Information Science at NTNU.
The main focus area for the proteomics group is cellular processes involved in genomic maintenance and DNA repair, including post-translational modifications (PTMs) and interactomics of the proteins involved. The research group for genotyping is working on mapping and analysis of disease-associated gene variation, using equipment for high-throughput genotyping. The scales of genotyping ranges from the analysis of single SNPs in large sample sizes, to large SNP panels (>317K) analyzed on Illumina or Affymetrix technologies. It is associated with the Nord-Trøndelag health study (HUNT), but is also doing research on other sample populations.

REQUIREMENTS:
The successful applicants will have a PhD in computer science or bioinformatics, programming experience with multiple programming languages, excellent English skills, proven ability to communicate research results, motivation to understand and solve new and exciting problems, and ambitions of and ability to do top research in a multidisciplinary environment. The ideal candidate can also work independently with minimal supervision following initial research ideas. Knowledge about basic molecular biology and genetics is a plus.

TERMS:
The positions are available for 2 years, with possibility for an additional 2 year extension.

COMPENSATION:
Postdoctoral positions at the Faculty of Medicine are remunerated according to level 54 (NOK 394 700 per year) to 77 (NOK 613 100 per year) on the Norwegian State salary scale, depending on qualifications. From this, 2 % is deducted for membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund – benefits include pensions, insurances, and advantageous housing loans (see http://www.spk.no/no/English-/). Other benefits include travel insurance, life insurance, disability benefits, and the benefits of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, which include health insurance and maternity benefits, amongst other things. The United Nations has for the past six years rated Norway as the best country to live in. Living and working in Trondheim will bring you the Norwegian standard of living in a small and friendly university city that can fit any desire for outdoor or urban activities.
NTNU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from both EU/EEA and non-EU countries. The university is strongly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from members of ethnic minorities.

HOW TO APPLY:
The application must include information about education, scientific work and previous work experience (CV). It must also include a letter where the applicant describes his or her research interests and career intentions, and name give the address of at least three references. Certified copies of certificates, testimonials, and other relevant documents must be attached.
The applicant should also enclose copies of up to ten scientific papers or manuscripts that the applicant considers to be the most relevant for the position. In the case of joint work, a short summary outlining the applicant’s contributions must be attached.
Five copies of the applications should be submitted to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, MTFS, N-7489 Trondheim, Norway. Applications should be marked DMF-12/08.

DEADLINE:
Deadline for applications: 29.02.2008.

For further information about the position please contact Professor Finn Drabløs (+47 72573333; finn.drablos[at]ntnu.no).