Doctoral Research Fellow in Bioethics connected to the project "Epigenetics and bioethics of human embryonic development" A Doctoral Research Fellowship in Bioethics is open at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society. The Department embraces four disciplines: Philosophy, Classical Languages (Greek and Latin), History of Ideas and Art History. The Department is also responsible for the introductory philosophy courses, obligatory for all students attending study programmes at the University of Oslo. The Department has about 140 employees. . Job description The post will be associated with the convergence project “Epigenetics and bioethics of human embryonic development” funded by University of Oslo Life Sciences. The person appointed will be supervised by Anna Smajdor, who is leading the ethics component of the project. The PhD position is open for proposals that investigate the ethical implications of greater scientific knowledge and control over human embryos in research and fertility treatment. As our understanding of embryonic development increases, there are more opportunities to make judgments as to which embryos are ‘best’ for implantation. Not only this, but it is becoming possible to effect changes to embryos, either through altering the environment in which they are stored, or through intervening on them directly. The successful candidate will explore the ethical significance of these new aspects of control. The PhD student will be affiliated with the Faculty's organized research training. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty with a view to obtaining the degree of PhD. The successful candidate is expected to join the existing research milieu and contribute to its development. Read more about the doctoral degree. The appointment is for a duration of three years. All PhD Candidates who submit their doctoral dissertation for assessment with a written recommendation from their supervisor within 3 years or 3 ½ years after the start of their PhD position, will be offered, respectively, a 12 or 6 month Completion Grant. Qualification requirements A Master's Degree or equivalent in philosophy or other relevant discipline. The Master's Degree must have been obtained by the time of application. A project description relevant to the ethics of embryo selection. In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on: The bioethical merit, relevance and innovation of the proposed project The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame Good collaborative skills and willingness to work with scientists and social scientists Personal suitability and motivation for the position We offer salary level NOK 436 900 – 490 900, depending on qualifications a professionally stimulating working environment attractive welfare benefits How to apply Applicants must submit the following attachments with the electronic application, preferably in pdf format: Application letter describing the applicant’s motivation for the position Curriculum Vitae (complete list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications) Transcript of records of the applicant’s Master's degree. Applicants with education from a foreign university are advised to attach an explanation of their university's grading system Project description, including a detailed progress plan for the project (3-5 pages, see Template for project descriptions) List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number) The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. Please submit all documents in English, to the extent possible. Short-listed candidates may be invited for an interview at the University of Oslo or via Skype. Formal regulations Please see the Guidelines for the application assessment process and appointments to research fellowships. Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list. The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results. The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds. Deadline: 1 November 2017 Contact persons For questions about the position: Associate professor Anna Smajdor For questions about the recruitment process: HR-Officer Julie Tøllefsen