Postdoctoral Position Using Long-read Sequencing Technology to Understand Salmonid Genomics

NMBU - Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Oslo, Norway

The Department of Animal- and Aquacultural Sciences (IHA), Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE), Faculty of Biosciences, at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is inviting applications for a 2-year postdoctoral position (with a possibility of extension for up to an additional 2 years max 4 years total) exploring genome architecture with the help of long-read sequencing technologies in various fish species

The successful candidate will join CIGENE, a multidisciplinary genome biology research group possessing expertise in genetics, evolutionary and comparative genomics, bioinformatics and systems biology. Located within the Department of Animal- and Aquacultural Sciences, this group includes 2 full-time professors, 1 associate professor, 11 researchers, 8 PhD students and 9 research technicians. CIGENE has a strong aqua- and agri- research profile, with key strengths in the application of ‘omics’ data to understand the genetic architecture of complex traits. The group wishes to use functional genomics technologies, including gene editing, to better understand the biology underlying specific genotype-phenotype associations. CIGENE has excellent wet and dry lab facilities for automated high-throughput omics, and bioinformatics.

The Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences provides fundamental, innovative research and practical solutions to improve productivity and sustainability across the agriculture and aquaculture sector. Currently, disciplines within the department include Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, Ethology and Animal Environment, Breeding and Quantitative Genetics, and Genome Biology.

The main objective of the Faculty of Biosciences is to contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture and food production systems through basic and applied research on plants and animals including fish (aquaculture). The faculty houses Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE) and the research center for Research-based Innovation (SFI) – Foods of Norway.

The faculty is responsible for bachelor- and master programmes in Biology, Animal Science and Plant Science, and international master programmes in Agroecology, Plant Science, Aquaculture, Animal Breeding Genetics and Feed Manufacturing Technology. PhD programmes include Animal Science and Aquaculture, and Plant Sciences. There are currently 480 bachelor and master students, and 90 PhD students, enrolled in these programmes. The faculty has approximately 220 permanent and temporary scientific employees, including technicians, and 18 administrative positions.

Research project

The successful candidate will be associated with the 4-year TRANSPOSE project recently funded by the FRIPRO Toppforsk program in the Research Council of Norway. TRANSPOSE is addressing fundamental knowledge gaps concerning genome evolution following a whole genome duplication, using salmonid fishes as a model system.

Main tasks

Data from long-read sequencing can greatly simplify genome assembly and, since reads can span repetitive DNA, result in near complete references. At CIGENE we are active users of Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) and have a clear focus on producing chromosome-level assemblies for multiple salmonid species. However, unsolved challenges are limiting both yield and sequence length. We expect that the person employed in this position will independently lead efforts to trouble-shoot these challenges and develop robust lab protocols for the production of long-reads from blood and tissue using ONT in fish species. This will include (but not be limited to) sequencing of DNA, RNA and determination of methylation status of DNA. Furthermore, we expect that the successful candidate take active part in the assembly of long-read data to produce chromosome-level sequences in fish species using appropriate open source software.

Qualifications and competence

Required qualifications and competence:

• PhD-degree in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, or similar;
• Recent practical lab experience using techniques relevant to ONT technology and protocols;
• Experience with generating and analyzing ‘omics’ data;
• Excellent communication skills both to the scientific community and to a broader audience.

Desired qualifications and competence:

• Relevant competence in the area of statistics and computer programming including familiarity with at least one programming language (R, python, perl, etc.).

Personal skills:

• Enthusiastic, highly structured/organized, able to multi-task;
• Ability for independent work displaying initiative and careful creative thought;
• Analytical and academic approach to research questions;
• Good collaborative and social skills;
• Applicants must be proficient in English, both written and spoken. Proficiency in Norwegian is not required but is advantageous.