"ERC-funded Researcher in Integrative Omics and Systems Biology"

About the Job

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher to join the ERC Starting Grant project ExMilk (Exercised Breastmilk: A kick-start for childhood obesity prevention?), an ERC Starting Grant project.

The project aims to uncover how maternal exercise acutely and longitudinally modifies human milk composition, and how these molecular changes may influence early-life health. The successful candidate will lead advanced statistical and integrative analyses of multi-omics data, including global metabolomics, lipidomics, microbiome sequencing, and regulatory molecular layers, derived from well-characterised human intervention studies.

The position is based in the Exercise, Cardiometabolic Health and Reproduction (ExCaR) research group. The researcher will work closely with the project PI and team, with scientific leadership provided by Senior Researcher Trine Moholdt.

Duties of the position

The main responsibility of the position is to perform advanced statistical analysis and integration of multi-omics datasets from human milk samples, with the aim of identifying molecular signatures of exercise exposure.

Key tasks include:
• Developing and applying state-of-the-art statistical and computational approaches for multi-omics data analysis and integration
• Linking multi-omics signatures to clinically relevant and physiological parameters
• Ensuring that omics data adhere to FAIR data principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable)
• Interpreting results in a biological and physiological context
• Preparing manuscripts for publication in high-impact international journals and presenting results at scientific conferences

The researcher will have significant opportunity to shape analytical strategies and contribute intellectually to the project.

Required selection criteria

• A Norwegian doctoral degree or a corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in biostatistics, bioinformatics, systems biology, computational biology, or a closely related field. (Documentation of the doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position)
• Documented experience with statistical programming and data analysis in R, Python, or similar languages
• Documented experience with multi-omics data integration
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with untargeted metabolomics and/or lipidomics analysis
• Experience in biological interpretation of human omics data, including metabolomics, microRNA, microbiome sequencing, or cytokine profiling
• Experience in next-generation sequencing analysis
• Training in molecular biology or related experimental disciplines
• Experience developing reproducible statistical pipelines and scripts

Personal characteristics

• Ability to work independently with scientific creativity and initiative
• Strong motivation to collaborate in an interdisciplinary research environment
• Curiosity and ambition to acquire new analytical and biological expertise
• Ability to adapt analytical approaches to complex or unexpected challenges
• Motivated and excellent team player with a positive attitude and high ambitions on behalf of yourself and the group.
• Curious, with ambitions of acquiring new knowledge and skills.
• Ability to adjust approaches to overcome setbacks or solve challenges.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• Participation in a high-profile ERC-funded project with access to unique human multi-omics datasets
• An ambitious, international, and interdisciplinary research environment
• Opportunities to develop an independent research profile and publish in leading journals
• An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Employee benefits according to Norwegian regulations

Salary and conditions

As a researcher (code 1109) you are paid depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is until 29.02.2028. We hope to fill the position as soon as possible.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

The application and all supporting documentation must be submitted in English and will form the basis for the assessment. Applications will be assessed solely on the information provided by the application deadline. Applicants are therefore encouraged to ensure that their application clearly demonstrates how their qualifications, skills, and experience meet the selection criteria described above.
Applicants who have experienced career breaks, part-time employment, or non-linear career paths are welcome to describe this in their application. The selection committee will take such circumstances into account and recognizes that research output may be affected as a result.

Required application documents

• Curriculum vitae (CV) and relevant certificates
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-, Master's- and PhD degrees.
  + Applicants who have not yet completed their Ph.D must provide confirmation of the expected date of thesis submission or defense, or confirmation that the thesis has been submitted
• Doctoral thesis
  + Applicants who are close to submission or have recently submitted may attach a draft version
  + Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position
• Academic works (published or unpublished) that the applicant wishes to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 items)
• A brief statement (maximum 1-2 pages) describing how your expertise in statistical and integrative omics could contribute to the ExMilk project. The statement should outline proposed analytical approaches for multi-omics data integration and interpretation, and reflect how you would address key scientific challenges in linking exercise exposure to human milk composition and health-relevant outcomes.
• Name and contact information of three referees