Universitetet i Oslo

Oslo

Alvaro Köhn-Luque

Associate Professor

<h2>About the position </h2><p>Applications are invited for a full-time 3-year Postdoctoral position in Machine Learning and Computational Biology at the Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo.</p> <br /><h2>Project description</h2><p>The candidate will be part of a newly established <strong>Life Science Convergence Environment GENESIS: Gene–Epigenome–Active Matter Nexus in Early Embryogenesis</strong>, funded by UiO&#39;s interdisciplinary strategic initiative UiO:Life Science. GENESIS brings together <strong>active matter physics, cell biology, and computational biology </strong>to address the fundamental processes guiding the earliest stages of mammalian embryo development. The project will combine experimental data obtained through advanced live imaging and spatially resolved molecular profiling with theoretical and computational modeling. </p><p>The postdoctoral candidate will: </p><ul><li>Analyze quantitative molecular and imaging data produced by other members of GENESIS. </li><li>Develop new machine learning models to identify gene regulatory mechanisms involved in the physical mechanisms of cellular self-organization during early mouse embryo. </li><li>Develop new machine learning models to learn minimal dynamic models of gene regulation from longitudinal molecular and imaging data. </li><li>Work closely with other members of GENESIS performing biological experiments, quantitative imaging and biophysical modeling to develop a unified multiscale framework connecting gene regulation, tissue mechanics and morphogenesis. </li></ul><p>The candidate will be employed at the <strong>Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE) </strong>at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. While the candidate will have a desk at OCBE premises at Domus Medica, the main physical working location will be the new Life Sciences Building, where the GENESIS convergence environment will be located. In addition, the candidate will be associated to the center of excellence Integreat, the Norwegian center for knowledge-driven machine learning, in which OCBE is a partner institution. </p><p>Starting date for the position should be no later than September 15th, 2026.</p><br /><h2>More about the position</h2><p><strong>About the Convergence Environment GENESIS</strong><br /><a href="https://www.uio.no/english/research/strategic-research-areas/life-science/research/convergence-environments/genesis/" rel="nofollow">GENESIS </a>investigates how genetic factors integrate with active matter principles to drive the self-organization of the mammalian early embryo. Through single-cell transcriptomics, spatially resolved gene expression, advanced live microscopy, and modeling of active matter principles, we aim to uncover the connections between gene regulation and active matter in the earliest developmental stages of mammals.<br />The project is led by Professor Arne Klungland, the Director of the Center of Excellence CRESCO: Centre for Embryology and Healthy Development at UiO together with Professor Luiza Angheluta-Bauer from the Department of Physics at UiO, Group Leader Stig Ove Bøe from the Department of Microbiology at Oslo University Hospital and Associate Professor Alvaro Köhn-Luque from OCBE, Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo.<br /><br /><strong>About OCBE</strong><br /><a href="https://www.med.uio.no/imb/english/research/centres/ocbe/" rel="nofollow">OCBE </a>is one of Europe&#39;s most active biostatistics groups with currently about 75 researchers. OCBE is internationally recognized, with interests spanning a broad range of areas, including high dimensional statistics, machine learning, mathematical modelling, causal inference, time-to-event analysis, clinical trials, infectious disease and epidemiology, The centre has numerous collaborations with leading biomedical research groups internationally and in Norway.<br /><br /><strong>About Integreat</strong><br /><a href="https://www.integreat.no/" rel="nofollow">Integreat </a>is a Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway of the University of Oslo, UiT the Arctic University of Norway and the Norwegian Computing Center. Our research makes machine learning more sustainable, accurate, trustworthy, and ethical.<br /><br /><strong>About the Life Science Building</strong><br /><a href="https://www.uio.no/english/research/strategic-research-areas/life-science/about/building/" rel="nofollow">The Life Science Building</a> will be a shared facility for leading university and hospital environments within life sciences and is intended to ensure Norway&#39;s international competitiveness in the field. Here, students and various academic communities will work interdisciplinarily to develop new solutions to major challenges in health and sustainability, with access to the best and most modern equipment required to conduct world-class research and innovation.</p><br /><h2>Qualification requirements</h2><p><strong>Required qualifications: </strong></p><ul><li>PhD in machine learning, statistics, computational biology, applied mathematics, physics, or similar. Eligible candidates may apply before completing their PhD degree. However, a documented proof of a PhD degree is required upon appointment</li><li>Excellent programming skills (Python, Julia, R) and maintenance of code repositories</li><li>Proven experience in machine learning method development</li><li>Fluency in English</li></ul> <p><strong>Desired qualifications</strong></p><ul><li>Experience analyzing high-dimensional data, in particular single cell transcriptomics/epigenomic and quantitative imaging data</li><li>Experience in computational modeling of gene regulation and morphogenesis</li><li>Experience working on high-performance computing environments</li></ul><br /><h2>Personal skills</h2><ul><li>Strong analytical ability and curiosity-driven approach to research</li><li>Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment</li><li>High level of motivation, responsibility, and persistence</li><li>Clear and constructive scientific communication skills</li></ul><br /><h2>We need different perspectives in our work </h2><p>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 <a href="https://www.uio.no/english/about/strategy/gender-equality/index.html" rel="nofollow">uio.no</a>.</p><p>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?</p><p>We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.</p> <p>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 <a href="https://arbeidsgiver.dfo.no/strategisk-hr/inkluderingsarbeid/bli-bedre-pa-rekruttering/hvordan-skrive-stillingsannonser-som-inkluderer/positiv-saerbehandling-nar-man-soker-jobb-i-staten" rel="nofollow">Employer portal</a> (Norwegian).</p><p>The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports.<br /><br />More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found <a href="https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/competence/gender-equality/index.html" rel="nofollow">here.</a></p><p>We hope you will apply for the position with us. </p><br /><h2>Why should you choose us?</h2><ul><li>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.</li><li>A pleasant and stimulating work environment </li><li>Good <a href="https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/welfare/index.html" rel="nofollow">welfare schemes.</a></li><li>Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of <a href="https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/welfare/exercise/" rel="nofollow">exercise during working hours.</a></li><li>A workplace with good development and career opportunities. </li><li>Membership in the <a href="https://www.spk.no/en/" rel="nofollow">Statens Pensjonskasse</a>, which is one of Norway&#39;s best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.</li><li>Salary in position as Postdoctoral Fellow, position code 1352 in salary range NOK from 595 000 to 700 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.</li></ul><p>Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at <a href="http://arbeidsgiver.difi.no/lonn-goder-og-reise" rel="nofollow">Employer Portal</a>.</p><br /><h2>Application</h2><p>Your application should include:</p><ul><li>Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests</li><li>CV (summarizing education, work experience and academic work, including any scientific publications and theses, and other qualifying activity)</li><li>Transcripts of records, copies of the original bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degree diploma</li><li>Documentation of English proficiency if applicable</li><li>List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee</li><li>Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)</li></ul><p>Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click &#34;Apply for the position&#34;.</p><p>When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from <a href="https://www.vitnemalsportalen.no/english/" rel="nofollow">Vitnemålsportalen.no</a>. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.</p><br /><h2>General information</h2><p>The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews. </p><p>Applicant lists can be published in accordance with <a href="https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2006-05-19-16" rel="nofollow">Norwegian Freedom of Information Act</a> § 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.</p> <p>Please refer to <a href="https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2024-06-28-1392/KAPITTEL_3#KAPITTEL_3" rel="nofollow">Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3</a> (Norwegian) and <a href="https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/guidelines-appointment-postdoc-researcher.html" rel="nofollow">Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO</a>.</p><p>The University of Oslo has a <a href="https://www.uio.no/english/for-employees/employment/work-results/agreement-rights-to-work-results.html" rel="nofollow">transfer agreement</a> with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.</p><br />