Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo

The overall vision of NCMM is to improve the molecular understanding of health and disease to facilitate improved medical practice. NCMM invites outstanding early-stage Group Leaders through international calls. Group Leaders are selected using the quality criteria and process of assessment as for recruitment to EMBL Group Leader positions. Current approaches and model systems at NCMM include bioinformatics, cell biology, genomics, neurobiology, immunology, rare diseases, stem cells, structural biology, synthetic chemistry and chemical biology as well as yeast and zebra fish model systems. Furthermore, researchers at NCMM have access to state-of-the art drug screening instruments. To support our translational research, we also actively collaborate with local hospitals and with the research environment nationally and internationally, translating our knowledge from bench to bedside. See NCMM website for more information and fit with research profiles of existing NCMM research groups.

Nordic EMBL Molecular Medicine Partnership node NCMM is seeking new outstanding group leader candidates

Group Leader positions with start-up packages in Precision Medicine

NCMM expects to recruit 2-3 new Principal investigators through this call, and we are in particular seeking future scientific leaders in areas complementing the current strengths of NCMM: AI/Machine Learning tackling human diseases, Stem cell / iPS cell science and disease, High Throughput Single-Cell and Cell-based Systems approaches. NCMM is also open to consider other emerging technologies that would complement ongoing research at the Centre.

Group Leaders will be selected using the quality criteria and process of assessment as for recruitment to EMBL Group Leader positions with the focus on scientific excellence and potential to collaborate with existing NCMM group leaders. The successful candidates are expected to initiate new independent research programs with a clear relevance to molecular medicine and disease mechanisms. The research should consolidate existing research within the Centre (see website). The Group Leader positions may be combined with an adjunct position (20%) at Oslo University Hospital, Akershus University Hospital or another national university hospital to facilitate translation and clinical collaboration. An affiliation to another relevant UiO department may also be considered. Furthermore, we expect multi-disciplinary research collaborations with other NCMM research groups and NCMM Associate Investigators, with the internationally recognized biomedical and medical research environment in Oslo as well as with other top Norwegian scientists and within the Nordic EMBL Partnership for molecular medicine.

NCMM provides attractive sustainable support packages for new group leaders of approx. 1.8 million EUR over the first five-year period. This includes salaries of the group leader, a postdoctoral fellow, a doctoral student as well as a technician (total 4 positions), consumables and modern laboratory facilities. The candidates are expected to complement this budget through other national and / or international grants and / or through industrial collaborations. NCMM scientists will be supported by excellent in-house research infrastructures and have access to the local research community’s infrastructures (see technology platforms at University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital), national infrastructures and international capabilities provided by EMBL.

Group Leader position(s) in AI / Machine Learning

Precision medicine is currently being strengthened in Norway and there is a strong desire to closely integrate and coordinate basic and clinical research activities, including NCMM. The Centre is not aiming to establish completely new research areas but aims to strengthen already existing areas at NCMM and is now especially looking for candidates with experience in and a research program focusing on disease modelling and using AI / machine learning to complement ongoing research on rare diseases (immunology, hematology, neurology), cancer and age-related diseases.

Group Leader position(s) in Cell based approaches

NCMM focuses on understanding disease mechanisms by combining strong basic research with clinical translation. The Centre now wishes to strengthen its cell biology expertise by looking for candidates with experience in and a research program focusing on stem cell / iPS cell science and disease, high-throughput single-cell research and cell-based systems approaches, including chemical biology and genetic screening.

Qualification requirements

• Qualification requirements include a PhD or equivalent degree, appropriate postdoctoral training, experience with supervision and a track record of high-impact publications in top journals of biology or medicine. In addition, considerable weight will be put on the research plan proposed by the candidate and on how this will integrate and synergize with the activity of other NCMM investigators and potential collaborators in both the Oslo region and nationally. Group leader positions are intended for independent investigators typically less than 8 years past their PhD. More senior applicants in this bracket are expected to also show experience in supervision, scientific leadership and a track record for attracting significant independent funding.

• Applications should include a covering letter summarizing the applicant’s career, past research accomplishments, future plans and fit with the NCMM research profile and the current research groups at the Centre (max 1-2 pages), CV and a list of publications (with 5 most significant publications indicated), a short research plan (max 5 pages) with a summary of expected translational, medical or public health impact and names of three references. Experience in clinical work will be considered an advantage, and we encourage both international and Norwegian applicants. The University of Oslo is an equal opportunity employer and female and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Staff that the applicant would like to bring to NCMM as part of their group should also be named in the application.

• The top candidates will be invited to present their research in a talk and interview, and can be asked to provide a more detailed research plan as well as Letters of Reference. An International Search Committee will evaluate the candidates and their research proposals. Identification of and meetings with potential local collaborators will also be organized by NCMM. The candidate may be nominated in the second half of 2021 with an anticipated starting date in mid-2022.

We do we offer

The successful candidate for the position will be offered a contract as research scientist with function as group leader, subject to evaluation within the first 5 year period for an additional 4 years, according to the EMBL-model. The position is included in the Norwegian health insurance and retirement pension schemes and will be placed as SKO (Position Code) 1109 Scientist and with a salary range depending on qualifications from NOK 677 600 - 776 900. Assistance and financial support are provided for international or national relocation as necessary.

The Group Leader positions may in addition be combined with a part-time adjunct position (20%) at Oslo University Hospital or Akershus University Hospital under the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority or if relevant, at another national university hospital. We encourage clinician scientists to apply.

For further information visit our website

Contact information

Inquiries about the positions can be directed to NCMM Director, Professor Janna Saarela. Inquiries regarding technical aspects of the application can be directed to HR officer Nina Modahl.

Formal regulations

Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, 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 agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

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