Postdoctoral research fellow in biostatistics/bioinformatics

Position as postdoctoral fellow available for three years at Department of Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway

http://www.universitetstillinger.no/job/32r3o

Research environment
Institute for Cancer Research has since its foundation in 1954 played a central role within the field of cancer research both in Norway as well as internationally. The Institute has six research departments, a core facility and more than 320 employees, master students included. About 70% of the employees and projects are externally funded.
Department of Genetics consists of four major research groups which include five project groups. The department is headed by Professor Anne-Lise Børresen-Dale, who is also leading a K.G. Jebsen-Center for Breast Cancer Research. The main research area of the department is on molecular biology and functional genomics of breast cancer to understand breast cancer progression and identify prognostic and predictive markers. In addition, one group is focusing on lung and pancreatic cancer. The department possesses large bio-banks of human tumor and blood samples and has long standing expertise in genome-wide technologies for the analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins.
http://www.ous-research.no/genetics/

Oslo centre for biostatistics and epidemiology (OCBE) includes staff from University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital and includes several professors, researchers, post-doctoral fellows and PhD students, making up a group of about 50. OCBE is internationally recognized, with interests spanning a broad range of areas of modern statistics and numerous collaborations with leading bio-medical research groups nationally and internationally. OCBE will have a major role in the recently funded prestigious centre for research-based innovation Big Insight, a consortium of academic, industrial and public partners. Big Insight will develop original statistical and machine learning methodologies and deep analytical tools to extract knowledge from complex and big data, with focus on two central themes: novel personalized solutions and sharper predictions of transient dynamics.

Project information
The post doctoral project is centered on development and progression of breast cancer using large scale genomic data from human tumor samples and mouse models. Such data include gene expression, copy number (SNP) and methylation data from microarray analysis of tumor samples ranging from benign lesions to invasive breast cancer, as well as targeted and exome sequencing data. The aim is to increase our understanding of how breast lesions develop and progress from the pre-invasive state and to the more aggressive invasive tumor stages and to identify markers of potentially clinical usefulness.

The appointed candidate will be working in the group headed by Dr. Therese Sørlie, http://www.ous-research.no/sorlie/ . Co-supervisor will be Professor Arnoldo Frigessi, (OCBE) http://www.med.uio.no/imb/english/people/aca/frigessi/. In addition to own projects, the candidate is expected to supervise and contribute in the projects of other group members.
Required professional and personal skills

The candidate must have a PhD in statistics, mathematics, bioinformatics or other relevant science with a significant and documented competence in biostatistics. Experience with genomics data is necessary. The candidate must have full proficiency with some statistical software and language like R or plink. Knowledge of programming languages like C or Python is an advantage, but not necessary. Competence and/or experience with high dimensional data, multiple comparison, and dimension reduction is also an advantage. We are looking for a young researcher who has the interest in both developing new methods and analysis pipelines for high dimensional data and applying state of the art methods.

The candidate is expected to work together with other scientists in a team. We will welcome a highly motivated and dedicated candidate, with the ability to work independently, but with good communication skills and who performs well in a team. Proficiency in the English language is a prerequisite.

We offer

  • A challenging and friendly working environment
  • Favorable pension arrangement
  • Attractive welfare arrangements
  • Salary NOK 491 000 - 530 000 p. y. depending on qualifications

Application should include:

  • Cover letter including motivation for the position
  • CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
  • Copies of educational certificates (PhD diploma) and letters of recommendation
  • List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered
  • Contact information for two references
  • Foreign applicants should be prepared to provide an explanation of their diploma if needed. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
  • According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list.

    Application deadline: 15.03.2015
    Project start: July 2015
    Contacts:
    Principal investigator: Therese Sørlie, tsorlie@rr-research.no, tel. +47 22781364,
    Co-supervisor Arnoldo Frigessi: arnoldo.frigessi@medisin.uio.no
    Administrative coordinator: Gry Geitvik, gryge@rr-research.no, TEL. +47 22781374