PhD Candidate in Genetic Epidemiology – Genomics and Industry Collaboration

Ntnu; Trondheim; Hybrid; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Norwegian language training (A2)

Job summary

NTNU invites applications for a PhD Candidate in Genetic Epidemiology at the HUNT Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology. The project links to industry partners and data from large population cohorts, focusing on identifying drug targets and understanding disease risk using genomic methods.

The candidate will work toward a doctoral degree, participate in collaborative analyses, and may have opportunities for research stays abroad.

Qualifications

• Master's in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, bioinformatics or equivalent with a major independent project (≥30 ECTS).
• Strong academic record with GPA/benchmarks meeting NTNU standards or equivalent.
• Excellent English, written and spoken, for international collaboration.
• Experience in analysis of large-scale genomic data (GWAS, polygenic scores, MR).
• Strong programming skills in R and/or Python; Linux and reproducible workflows.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral education to obtain a doctorate.
• Carry out high-quality research within the described framework.
• Collaborate with industry partners, participate in meetings and report progress.
• Handle health data in compliance with data protection and agreements.
• Publish in international journals; contribute to science dissemination.
• Participate in GWAS research group and international activities.
• Engage in teaching and career-promoting work.

Skills

R/Python

Genomic data analysis

English proficiency

Industry collaboration

Teamwork

Education

Master's in genetic epidemiology or related field

Tools

Linux

Git

Snakemake

Nextflow

HPC

Job description

PhD Candidate in Genetic Epidemiology – Genomics and Industry Collaboration

NTNU is a broad-based university with atechnical-scientific profile and a focusin professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the position

We have a vacancy at the HUNT Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology (HUNT MCE) for a PhD Candidate in Genetic Epidemiology. This is a 3-year temporary position linked to HUNT-Genes IP: Industry-supported Programs for Innovation in Genomics, a project funded by the Research Council of Norway in which academic researchers work together with partners from the pharmaceutical and health technology industry.

We are looking for a talented, motivated and professional candidate with a background in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics or bioinformatics. Because the position involves close and regular contact with industry partners, we place weight on professional conduct, clear communication and the ability to deliver on agreed plans and deadlines.

At HUNT MCE we use population studies to investigate how biology, lifestyle and environment affect health and disease development. An overarching goal is to develop better prevention and treatment strategies by studying genetic and environmental causes of disease, disease progression and prediction, and treatment effects. The center is multidisciplinary, and we use methods from genetic, molecular and clinical epidemiology to study a wide range of diseases and health conditions. For more information about the center .

As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work towards your doctorate while gaining experience that qualifies you for a further career in research and higher education, in the life science industry, or in the public health and health care sector.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The project uses data from large population-based cohorts available to the HUNT MCE Group for Genetic Epidemiology. This includes genotype data on more than 88,000 individuals from the HUNT Study, linked with comprehensive health information from local and national registries such as hospital and primary care records, the Medical Birth Registry, the Cause of Death Registry and the Norwegian Prescription Database.

HUNT-Genes IP brings together NTNU, St. Olavs hospital and partners from the pharmaceutical and health technology industry to establish a model for academic–industry collaboration in population-based genetics. Data and advanced analyses are kept securely in Norway within HUNT Cloud, while results can have global importance. As a flagship application, the project will prioritize genetic drug targets for Alzheimer’s disease.

The PhD project will study how genetic variation in the population can be used to identify and validate drug targets and to understand disease risk and treatment effects. The specific aims will be developed together with the candidate and the project partners. The work will involve applying and developing robust and reproducible methods for large-scale genomic data, such as genome-wide association studies, drug-target Mendelian randomization, analyses of on- and off-target effects, genetic target trial emulation, pharmacoepidemiologic validation, polygenic prediction and functional bioinformatic follow-up.

The candidate will take part in joint project meetings with the industry partners, present and discuss results with them, and contribute to collaborative analyses within the framework of the project’s collaboration and confidentiality agreements.

The project is part of a broad international collaboration network, and the candidate will have the opportunity for a research stay at an institution abroad, for example the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Contribute to collaborative work with industry partners, including project meetings, progress reporting and presentation of results
• Handle health data and confidential information in line with data protection rules, ethical approvals and collaboration agreements
• Publish in international peer-reviewed journals and take part in popular science dissemination
• Participate in the Genetic Epidemiology (GWAS) research group
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at institutions abroad
• Teaching and other career-promoting work

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, bioinformatics or an equivalent field (for example epidemiology, biostatistics, genetics or computational biology) with substantial training in the analysis of genetic or genomic data.Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis.
• You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.
• Excellent spoken and written English, suitable for communication with international academic and industry partners.
• Experience with analysis of large-scale genomic data, for example genome-wide association studies, polygenic scores, Mendelian randomization or sequencing data.
• Strong programming skills in R and/or Python, and experience with Linux, high-performance computing and reproducible workflows (e.g. Git, Snakemake or Nextflow).
• Previous relevant research experience and publications.
• Experience from collaboration with industry, external partners or other professional, project-based work.
• Experience with biobank, cohort or health registry data.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree and succeed in this position, it is important that you are able to:

• Communicate clearly and convincingly, both in writing and orally, to scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Handle confidential information with discretion
• Work in a structured way, set goals, make plans and deliver on agreed deadlines both independently as well as in a team
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals, and contribute constructively with feedback
• Analyse data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
• Work constructively under pressure and be flexible when plans need to be adjusted
• Show curiosity, strong motivation for the subject and potential as a researcher

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD program in Medicine and Health science within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act , and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The attachments must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV
• Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here . If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) , please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation . You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate professor Ben Brumpton, email [e-mail]

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-adviser Rebecca Hembre Storli, e-mail: [e-mail]

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

NTNU - knowledge for a better world
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.
The Department of Public Health and Nursing (ISM) is responsible for research, teaching, innovation and dissemination in community medicine, nursing, primary health care and public health. The Department’s activities in both research and education focus on the needs of the primary health service.

ISM is one of eight departments at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and has about 360 employees in permanent and temporary positions. For more information on ISM, see: www.ntnu.edu/ism .