About the position

A full time position as Research Scientist in molecular and pharmaceutical microbiology is available at the Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo (UiO).

The appointment is for a period of 2 years, with starting date as soon as possible.

Job description

We are searching for a highly motivated person with a documented track record in molecular and pharmaceutical microbiology and experience with relevant microbiology methods. The Research Scientist will be working on a project entitled “CRITical – preclinical testing of novel antibiotic resistance breaker” funded by the Research Council of Norway through the IPN program. The Department of Pharmacy acts as a project partner supplying research and development in the project, which is led by Adjutec Pharma AS.

The project focuses on pre-clinical testing of lead substance(s) used as adjuvant compound(s) to alleviate resistance to carbapenem antibiotics in Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, and the work package with which the position is affiliated involves studies of mechanism of action, frequency and mechanism of resistance, as well as membrane penetration studies, for candidate substance(s).

This work package is led by professor Ole Andreas Økstad. The ultimate goal of the project is to prepare lead candidate(s) for entry into phase I clinical trials. The successful candidate will have broad experience within molecular and pharmaceutical microbiology methods, including e.g. antimicrobial activity testing, generation of gene knockout mutants, gene expression analysis, DNA/RNA/protein isolation, whole genome sequencing and bacterial genome analyses.

The project involves international collaboration with contract research organizations in the UK and Italy.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among the leading communities for research, education and innovation in Europe. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree, within molecular and/or pharmaceutical microbiology. The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation at the latest by the closing date for applications. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis prior to the public defense, or with a public defended thesis are eligible for appointment
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English is required
• The successful applicant must have experience with antimicrobial activity testing, using methods such as e.g. broth microdilution (MIC-determination) and/or disk diffusion assays
• Experience within bacterial gene functional analyses, employing e.g. methods for generation of gene knock out mutants, and gene expression analysis methods will be considered an advantage
• Previous experience with other molecular microbiology methods, such as e.g. DNA/RNA/protein isolation, whole genome sequencing and bacterial genome analyses will be considered beneficial
• Previous experience with membrane penetration assays will be considered an advantage

Personal skills

The successful applicant must be capable of independent as well as team work, and must have excellent collaborative and communication skills. Personal suitability, including personal engagement, initiative, and responsibility will be used in the evaluation.

We offer

• Salary NOK 524 900 – 650 300 per year, depending on qualifications in position as Researcher (position code 1109)
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter (including statement of motivation, and summarizing scientific work and research interests)
• CV (summarizing education, previous positions, administrative experience and other qualifying activities)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• Letters of recommendation (optional)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for his job”. 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, the candidate’s summary of scientific work and interests, as well as the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be organized. 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. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

For further information please contact: Ole Andreas Økstad, phone: +47 22854789/ +47 92603952, e-mail: aloechen@farmasi.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system please contact: HR adviser Therese Ringvold, phone +47 22851606, e-mail: therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no

Apply for his job