Job description

The Hybrid Technology Hub Centre of Excellence at Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway is currently accepting applications for a 1year position as a researcher, to work on stem cell derived gastruloids (100% position). The Centre headed by Prof. Stefan Krauss is located at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences at University of Oslo. The Centre develops innovative human 3D models for biomedical research. In the frame of the European Innovation Council project consortium “supervised morphogenesis in gastruloids” (SUMO), the Krauss group has established a group that works on mouse and human gastruloids. The overall aim of the work is to advance gastruloids to the stage of organ induction. 

The researcher will join a group of 4 post-doctoral researchers and one PhD on advancing gastruloid technology. The work will include culture and differentiation of human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, culture of gastruloids under various conditions. The researcher will also assist with characterizing gastruloids by advanced imaging and analytical techniques including confocal microscopy and sample preparation for scRNAseq.

Key tasks:

• Differentiation of gastruloids from stem cells.
• Development, optimization, and standardization of gastruloid protocols to model early organogenesis.
• Vascularization and co-cultivation of stem-cell based gastruloids with vascularized support structures.
• Characterization of gastruloids using advanced imaging - and analytical technologies including scRNA-seq.
• Development of placenta-on-chip system.
• Data analysis and scientific writing. 
• Project management. 
• Supervision of bachelor, master and PhD students. 

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in cell biology. 
• Documented expertise in handling and differentiation of mammalian induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
• Track record of working with gastruloids including co-cultivation with extra embryonic tissue.
• Experience with trophectoderm cell differentiation.
• Experience with standard molecular biology techniques (gene and protein expression analysis). 
• Experience with advanced microscopy and image analysis.
• Project management experience. 
• Excellent written, oral and presentation skills (English).

Personal skills

• Proven ability to work and collaborate within a multidisciplinary environment
• Scientific creativity and ability to drive own research ideas to a successful conclusion
• Team player 
• Fluent in both spoken and written English

We offer

• Salary NOK 575 400 – 692 400 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Researcher (position code 1109)
• A positive and stimulating international working environment with experienced staff 
• Competitive conditions
• Flexible working hours

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications 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. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, and the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. 

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Apply for position

Contact information

• Petter Angell Olsen (Administrative coordinator), +47 95 16 32 99, peteraol@medisin.uio.no