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PhD position in molecular modeling

There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in molecular modeling at the Department of chemistry. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year with career-promoting work (e.g. teaching duties at the Department).

The PhD-project will be connected to the research group of Prof. Nathalie Reuter at the Department of Chemistry and the Computational Biology Unit, in collaboration with Prof. Odd André Karlsen at the Department of Biological Sciences (Environmental toxicology research group).

About the project/work tasks

The goal of the project will be to develop and apply a computational approach, for example by combining free energy calculations and active learning, for predicting interactions between environmental contaminants and nuclear receptors, of relevance for health and for the detection of environmental pollutants. The project will be conducted in close collaboration between the biomolecular modeling group and the environmental toxicology group who has a long-standing experience in studies of molecular mechanisms and mode of actions underlying the toxicity of environmental pollutants.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who masters relevant technologies at both a theoretical and practical level.

Qualifications and personal qualities

• Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent education in computational chemistry or computational biology. Master students can apply provided they complete their final master exam before 15.07.2025. It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded.
• Experience from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is a requirement.
• Experience with the UNIX/Linux interface and basic programming (e.g. Python) is a requirement.
• Experience with machine learning is an advantage.
• Experience from free energy calculations is an advantage.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
• Applicants must have good written and oral English skills.

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position
The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

About the PhD position

About the PhD Research Fellow position
The duration of the PhD Research Fellow is 4 years, of which 25 per cent of the time each year comprises required duties associated with research, teaching and dissemination of results.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training
As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Science and Technology is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

We can offer

• a good and professionally stimulating working environment
• salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 540 500. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
• enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• good welfare benefits

Your application must include

• a brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• the names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis
• CV
• transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the expected date of award of your master's degree. Your master's degree must be documented with transcripts and/or diploma before starting in the position.
• relevant certificates/references
• approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)
• a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list with links)

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact Professor Nathalie Reuter (nathalie.reuter@uib.no), Department of Chemistry, UiB, or professor Odd André Karlsen (odd.karlsen@uib.no), Department of Biological Sciences, UiB.

For HR-related questions contact Anna Folgerø (anna.folgero@uib.no), UiB

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. 

For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.