Research assistant/Bioinformatician

Oslo University Hospital; Oslo; On-site; NOK 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Modern laboratory facilities

International collaboration

Networking opportunities

Salary according to institutional regs

One-year contract with prolongation

Job summary

Oslo University Hospital's Section for Cancer Cytogenetics seeks a motivated bioinformatician to join cancer genomics and transcriptomics projects. One-year position with possibility for prolongation starting November 1, 2026, or as soon as possible.

You will develop bioinformatic workflows, analyze high‑dimensional molecular data, and contribute to methodological development while collaborating across cancer forms and translational research to improve understanding of cancer biology.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree must be submitted for evaluation by closing date.
• Strong quantitative and computational skills, with proficiency in R and experience in gene and miRNA expression analysis.
• Some background knowledge in high-dimensional statistical methods or statistical learning for molecular data is advantageous.
• Experience with management and analysis of large datasets and biomedical applications.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; English proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct scientific research in cancer genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
• Analyze and interpret genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.
• Participate in development of section research projects.
• Contribute to scientific publications in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Present findings from a bioinformatics/statistics perspective at conferences.
• Participate in research group meetings and collaborative activities.

Skills

R programming

Expression analysis

DESeq2

Unsupervised learning

Data integration

Big data

English

Education

Norwegian doctoral degree in bioinformatics/biostatistics/etc.

Tools

R

DESeq2

Data integration

Job description

One year position as research assistant/bioinformatician, with possibility for prolongation, is available at the Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital (OUS). Start up date 01.november 2026, or as soon as possible.

The Section for Cancer Cytogenetics performs advanced cancer cytogenetic diagnostics analyzing neoplasia‑specific genome abnormalities in cancer cells, in addition to performing research in biomedicine to gain new knowledge that can contribute to better patient care. We are looking for a motivated and results‑oriented bioinformatician who can join our ongoing and new projects.

The candidate will contribute to research in cancer genomic and transcriptomic, with a particular focus on the analysis and integration of complex molecular and genomic datasets. The position will involve the development and application of bioinformatic workflows and statistical learning methods to investigate molecular alterations in cancer and to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying disease development and progression.

You will join an active and internationally recognized research environment focusing on cancer genomics and transcriptomics and will have the opportunity to work collaboratively across multiple cancer forms in the field of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The projects will involve translational research aimed at improving our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression.

You will work with a broad range of high‑dimensional molecular data, which will include next‑generation sequencing data, genomic and transcriptomic profiles, cytogenetic data, and other molecular and clinical datasets. A central aim of the position will be to develop robust and reproducible computational approaches for integrating these complementary data sources as well as clinical parameters and extracting biologically meaningful information. The work will include the development, optimization and implementation of bioinformatic workflows, as well as the analysis and interpretation of large and complex datasets with advanced high‑dimensional statistical methods. The candidate will be encouraged to contribute to methodological development and to adapt existing computational approaches to address specific biological and clinical research questions.

Ongoing projects focus on investigating the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of soft tissue sarcomas, neuroendocrine neoplasia and carcinosarcomas arising in the female genital tract as well as identification of novel gene fusion in leukemias. Our projects aim to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers using the latest advanced technique, spatial transcriptomics, in combination with genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and histology at the single‑cell level.

Oslo University Hospital is a workplace with great diversity. We believe this is crucial to solving our tasks in the best possible way. We want this diversity to be reflected among the applicants for our positions, and encourage all qualified candidates, regardless of background, to apply.

• Conduct scientific research within the field of cancer genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
• Analyze and interpret genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.
• Participate in the development of the section research projects.
• Contribute to scientific publications in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Present research findings from a bioinformatics/statistics point of view at national and international conferences.
• Participate in research group meetings and collaborative activities.

Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• Applicants must hold a degree corresponding to a Norwegian doctoral degree in bioinformatics, biostatistics, statistics, machine learning, mathematics, data science, computer science or another relevant field. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• Strong quantitative and computational skills, with proficiency in R and experience in gene and miRNA expression analysis, including differential expression analysis using DESeq2 and downstream statistical and functional analyses.
• Some background knowledge in either high‑dimensional statistical methods, or statistical learning for molecular data is required. Relevant research experience within unsupervised learning (particularly dimensional reduction methods), likelihood‑based inference, or methods for data integration, will be an advantage.
• Experience with management and analysis of large datasets and with biomedical applications.
• Candidates must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Experience with interdisciplinary collaborations is an advantage. Personal suitability and an interest in the themes connected to our ongoing project will be emphasized.
• Working language in the group is English, hence excellent communication skills in written and oral English are a prerequisite.

Personal characteristics

• Contributes positively to an inclusive and supportive work environment by valuing diverse perspectives and engaging respectfully with colleagues.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively in a dynamic research setting.
  
• Is open to feedback and committed to continuous learning and professional development.
  
• Shows integrity and responsibility in conducting research, handling data, and collaborating with team members.
  
• Thrives in an interdisciplinary and international environment, appreciating collaboration across different scientific backgrounds and cultures.

We offer

An exciting and stimulating research environment: the position is based to the Section for Cancer Cytogenetics at Oslo University Hospital. If relevant given the candidate’s previous experience: the position can also be affiliated with the Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oslo (Norway). On top of other research environments focusing on several areas of bioinformatics and biostatistics, OCBE includes a large and active research group on high‑dimensional statistical learning, focusing on methodological developments for high‑dimensional data and data integration, especially in molecular medicine.

• Access to modern laboratory facilities and advanced technologies.
• Opportunities for international collaboration and scientific networking.
• Exciting work within a field that is constantly developing and of increasing importance.
• Salary according to institutional regulations and qualifications.
• A full‑time position for one year with possibility for prolongation.
  

Oslo University Hospital is a highly specialized hospital in charge of extensive regional and local hospital assignments. As Scandinavia’s largest hospital, we carry out more than 1.2 million patient treatments each year. The hospital has a nationwide responsibility for a number of national and multi‑regional assignments, and has several national centers of competence. Oslo University Hospital is responsible for approximately 50 percent of all medical and health care research conducted at Norwegian hospitals, and is a significant role player within the education of a large variety of health care personnel.