1 Postdoctoral position in food safety (virology) in Norway | Norwegian University of Life Sciences - NMBU

A Postdoc position in food safety (virology) is vacant at department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for microbiology, immunology and parasitology, in the period 1st September 2015 to 31st August 2017.

The Department of Food Safety and Infection comprised of three sections: Section for pharmacology and toxicology, Section for Food Safety and Section for microbiology, immunology and parasitology.

The department teaches students in veterinary science and veterinary nursing within the department’s area of expertise. The department also conducts research at an international level, having research groups with academic strong points in areas such as food safety and animal- and fish health. The department is located at Adamstuen in Oslo.

Project description

The project ”Reduction of viruses in food” is aimed at obtaining knowledge and thereby reduce the risk of getting infections from noro- and hepatitis A virus transmitted by local and imported berries. Sub goals will be 1) map hygienic conditions during production of berries, 2) test the effect of different treatments to reduce the level of infectious virus on berries, 3) generate a guide to the production of “virus safe” berries. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway (FFL/JA) and will be running for a total of three years. The project is a cooperation between the industry, the food research institute Nofima, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Technical University of Denmark and University of Barcelona.

Main tasks

• Planning of sampling (berries, water and the environment)
• Visit some production localities to perform sampling
• Analyze samples for viral pathogens by molecular methods
• Analyze samples for fecal indicator bacteria by molecular methods and cultivation
• Take part in studies on virus reduction by analyzing samples for model viruses and pathogens (cultivation)
• Establish and optimize some methods

Academic Qualifications

Required qualifications

• PhD in microbiology, virology or molecular biology
• Experience with laboratory work handling contagious agents
• Good skills in English language (oral and written)

Desirable qualifications

• PhD in microbial food safety
• Experience in molecular diagnostics (qPCR)
• Documented knowledge in food safety and virology
• Experience with cell culture
• Experience with cultivation of fecal indicator bacteria

Personal qualifications

We are looking for a sociable candidate with initiative and good interpersonal skills. Motivation for the tasks and the ability to work independently will be emphasized.