Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Twoja Norwegia; Lørenskog; Remote; NOK 595,000 - 679,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Good welfare schemes

Exercise up to 1.5 hours/week

Public sector pension (Statens Pensjon

Job summary

University of Oslo (UiO) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the EpiGen unit, Campus Ahus, Lørenskog. The three-year fellowship emphasizes developing a biophysically interpretable ML framework that unifies TF-DNA interactions, epigenetic features and 3D genome data to identify functional long-range gene regulatory interactions in cancer.

The successful candidate will collaborate with molecular biologists, bioinformaticians and

Qualifications

• PhD required in bioinformatics/computational biology or related field
• Demonstrated English proficiency (written and spoken)
• Doctoral degree submitted by deadline with public defense eligibility
• Strong personal suitability and motivation for the project
• Knowledge of statistics, data mining, and machine learning methods
• Skills in shell scripting, R, Python, and C programming
• Experience in big data analysis and computational tool/package development
• Experience in HTS data analysis or computational genome regulation

Responsibilities

• Develop a biophysically interpretable machine learning framework integrating TF-DNA interactions, epigenetic features and 3D genome data
• Integrate multi-omics data from single-cell experiments to improve predictive accuracy and interpretability
• Validate predictions on cancer genomes and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
• Publish high-quality scientific results and contribute to open-source software and bioinformatics tools
• Engage in teaching/supervision and participate in international collaborations and research visits

Skills

Molecular biology

Genomics

Bioinformatics

Machine learning

Data mining

Computational programming

Shell scripting

R

Python

C programming

Education

PhD in bioinformatics/computational biology

PhD in related quantitative fields (CS/Physics/Math)

Tools

R

Python

C programming

Shell scripting

Big data analysis tools

Hi-C analysis tools

Job description

About the position

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Campus Ahus, University of Oslo. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. The appointment is for a period of three years. In accordance with University of Oslo regulations, no individual may be appointed to more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship period at the University.

The position is based at the Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen) at the University of Oslo, Campus Ahus, Lørenskog. EpiGen is a joint research unit established by the University of Oslo (UiO) and Akershus University Hospital (Ahus). The department is actively involved in several major national research initiatives and offers an outstanding research environment with state-of-the-art laboratories, advanced computational infrastructure, and dedicated research facilities. The position is funded by the Research Council of Norway. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research team comprising molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, physicists, and pathologists. The project aims to develop a biophysically interpretable machine learning framework that integrates diverse biological data—including transcription factor (TF)-DNA interactions, epigenomic features, and three-dimensional (3D) genome organization—to identify functional long-range gene regulatory interactions in cancer. The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate closely with students, PhD candidates, researchers, and national and international partners. The work is expected to result in high-quality scientific publications as well as broadly applicable computational resources, such as open-source software and bioinformatics tools.

We seek a highly motivated and ambitious researcher with a strong background in molecular biology, human genetics/genomics, bioinformatics, machine learning, data mining, and computational programming, including software or package development. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in bioinformatics or computational biology. Applicants with a PhD in related disciplines, such as computer science, physics, applied mathematics, statistics, or a closely related quantitative field, are also encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate a strong interest in and commitment to applying computational methods to molecular biology and human genetics/genomics.

More about the position

The project aims to develop novel computational methods and tools for predicting functional non-coding mutations in the cancer genome. These methods will integrate diverse sources of biological information, including the biophysical principles governing protein–DNA interactions, the genetic and epigenetic features of DNA sequences, and the three-dimensional (3D) organization of the genome and its regulatory landscape. A particular emphasis will be placed on integrating multi-omics data generated from single-cell experiments to enhance both predictive accuracy and biological interpretability.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will primarily focus on developing a biophysically interpretable machine learning framework that integrates multiple layers of biological information, including transcription factor (TF)-DNA interactions, epigenetic features, and 3D genome organization, to identify functional long-range gene regulatory interactions from in vivo data. The candidate will also be involved in the validation of predictions from cancer genomes.

Throughout the fellowship, the Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be supported by a structured career development plan. This may include opportunities to teach and supervise bioinformatics students, present research at international conferences, and undertake research visits to leading international laboratories. The fellowship is designed to equip the candidate with the scientific expertise, professional skills, and international research experience needed to pursue a competitive research career within or beyond academia. The University of Oslo (UiO) is committed to supporting the Fellow's career development by providing ongoing mentoring and access to career guidance throughout the postdoctoral appointment.

About the position

You must have To be appointed as a postdoctoral fellow, a doctoral degree is required.

• Good written and oral English proficiency.
• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, or other relevant research fields to the project. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the application deadline. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defense are eligible for appointment.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the project.
• Documented knowledge of statistical theory and methods, data mining, and machine learning methods.
• Documented shell script, R, Python, and C programming skills.
• Documented experience in big data analysis and computational tool/package development.
• Documented experience in high-throughput sequencing data analysis or computational genome regulation.

Personal qualities

• Academic and personal ability to finish tasks on time.
• Ability to work either independently or collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Self-motivated to learn, easily adapted to new tasks, and interested in solving challenging scientific problems.
• Good communication skills and openness to new perspectives.

Desired qualifications

• Experience with ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq/scATAC-seq, RNA-seq/scRNA-seq, WGS, WGBS, or Hi-C data analysis.
• Experience in computational genome studies (e.g., TF-DNA interactions, gene networks, DNA mutations, and histone modifications).
• Experience with integrated multi-omics data analysis and software/package tool development.

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We need different perspectives in our work

UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.

We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues—could you be the next one?

We will provide appropriate accommodations should you need them. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.

If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps, we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).

The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports.

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

We offer

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment. A pleasant and stimulating work environment.
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours. A workplace with good development and career opportunities.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in the position as Postdoctoral Fellow, position code 1352, in a salary range from NOK 595000 to 679000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.
• Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

Application

• Application cover letter (statement of motivation and research interests).
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - a complete of scientific publications).
• A complete list of publications and academic works (maximum 5; pdf files) that you wish to be considered by the committee.
• Certified copies of the original Master's and PhD diplomas and the transcripts of records.
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable.
• Contact information for at least 3 references (name, relation to the candidate, institutional email address and telephone number).

General information

Please note that we are unable to add documentation after the application deadline. As the deadline applies equally to all applicants, this policy ensures equal treatment throughout the recruitment process. If you experience difficulties uploading documents in Jobbnorge, please contact their customer service: Phone: [phone] or Email: [e-mail].

The primary method of communication throughout the process will be e-mails and messages through the recruitment system Jobbnorge. When you receive a notification of a message in Jobbnorge, please log in to read it, as it may be important.

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we cannot, you will hear from us.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees to secure the rights to all research results and related intellectual property.

Additional information

Contact person: For further information, please contact: Junbai Wang [e-mail]

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser: Maren Retterstøl Olaisen, Rådgiver HR E-mail: [e-mail]

Place of service: Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen) University of Oslo, Ahus campus 1748 Lørenskog