Regarding the Position

Join a leading research environment in epidemiology and disease modelling! At the Norwegian Veterinary Institute in Ås, you will have the opportunity to analyse data and develop models that enhance disease preparedness in both terrestrial animals and aquaculture. We offer an international research setting, exciting projects, and great opportunities for professional development.

To further strengthen our capacity in the field of computational epidemiology and disease modelling, we are looking for a younger researcher within modelling and data science. 

Section for epidemiology currently has 30 employed researchers within the fields of epidemiology, disease modelling, risk assessment, biostatistics and bioinformatics. The section has a large project portfolio and an international profile with large diversity.

The main tool for programming in the research group is R and we utilize a wide variety of the opportunities in R.

Veterinary epidemiology will be of increasing importance in Norway to secure sustainable livestock and aquaculture production both economically, environmentally and with regard to human and animal health in the future. 

We provide a research-focused environment with good opportunities for personal development and network building.

Responsibilities and Duties

Our new data scientist will:

• Participate in research projects to further develop models in the institute’s model portifolio; eg a sea distance model for disease spread in aquaculture, model for estimation of the effect of cleaner fish on salmon lice in salmon farming, and scenario simulations
• Integrate data from different sources, and make them ready for analysis with particular responsibility for data quality management
• Assist in configuring and maintaining software stacks for core research functions
• Develop data workflows, and digital tools and products
• Participate in work with disease preparedness and outbreaks

The position is based in Ås, Norway, with occasional visits to partner institutions.

Essential Qualifications for This Role

Mandatory Requirements

• International science level oral and written communication skills in English 
• MSc in data science with focus on biology or bioinformatics, or other quantitative discipline with focus on biology
• Extensive experience in working with register data related to aquaculture and fish health
• Experience in data analysis for infectious diseases
• Proficiency in programming with R and experience with a version control system such as Git
• Experience with collecting data from APIs
• Experience with data quality management
• Interest in epidemiology and biological research

Candidate Requirements

• Ability to work in a team and to assist colleagues 
• Creativity and ability to take personal responsibility for tasks or duties in a project
• Good problem-solving skills and to be able to work independently

You must be able to identify with the Norwegian Veterinary Institute’s values: forward-looking, academically ambitious, and collaborative.

Personal suitability and motivation for the position will be emphasized in addition to your academic qualifications.

How to Apply

You can apply for the position via Jobbnorge.no.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter
• A CV
• Diplomas and certificates
• Contact information for 2-3 references

The application, including all attachments, must be submitted through our recruitment system Jobbnorge. Click “Apply for this position” to proceed.

When applying, we kindly ask you to retrieve your academic transcripts from Vitnemålsportalen.no if you are educated in Norway. If your results are not available there, please upload copies of your diplomas or transcripts. All documentation must be in Norwegian, alternatively in another Scandinavian language or in English.

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute is a public institution, and in accordance with the Public Access to Information Act, all applicants are included in a public applicant list after the application deadline. A request for exemption from the public applicant list may be granted in special cases. If your request for exemption is not approved, you will be contacted to consider whether you wish to maintain your application. If you choose to proceed as an applicant, your name will be made public. If not, you may withdraw your application.

For more information on how we process your personal data, please refer to our privacy policy.

What We Offer

• A visible and meaningful position with opportunities for influence
• A work environment characterized by high competence, professional challenges, and diversity
• A flexible and inclusive workplace
• Attractive agreements for loans and pension savings through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, with a 2% deduction from your salary for this contribution

The salary follows the Norwegian government’s pay scale and is determined based on your qualifications. The position is classified as a Researcher (code 1108 or 1109).

An Inclusive Workplace and Diversity at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute

Inclusion and diversity are strengths. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute aims to achieve a balanced gender distribution and actively recruit individuals with an immigrant background.

We encourage you to indicate in the job portal if you have a disability, gaps in your CV, or an immigrant background. We guarantee that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups will be invited for an interview. 

We hope you will apply for this position!