The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 26 500 students and 7 200 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.
The Norwegian Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Medicine (NCMBM) is a national research centre dedicated to cutting-edge research at the intersection of molecular medicine, biosciences, and data science. The centre aims to advance understanding of fundamental biological processes and to provide new insights that enable future medical and biotechnological innovation.
NCMBM is part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, a collaborative network that brings together leading research centres across the Nordic countries and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).
Established in 2008 (formerly as the Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, NCMM), NCMBM is a joint initiative between the University of Oslo and Health Region South-East. The centre brings together research groups working across molecular and translational biosciences to drive discovery and strengthen the interface between basic and medical research.
Lead your own research group at NCMBM
We are recruiting an early-career Group Leader on a nine-year, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)-style appointment.
We invite applications from candidates developing innovative and independent research programmes at the interface of molecular medicine and biosciences.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong track record in developing and applying cutting-edge computational approaches to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms of health and disease.
Projects exploring biological questions, cellular processes, or precision medicine through the exploitation of integrative analysis of single-cell or spatial omics data, advanced imaging, AI/machine-learning approaches, mathematical modelling, or novel computational methods are especially welcome.
The successful candidate will receive a competitive start-up package and join a vibrant, international research community embedded in both academic and clinical environments.
NCMBM is a research centre at the University of Oslo (UiO), funded by UiO and The South-Eastern Norway Health Authority (Helse Sør-Øst - HSØ). NCMBM is the Norwegian node of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, alongside MIMS in Sweden, FIMM in Finland and DANDRITE in Denmark, bridging fundamental research and clinical innovation.
NCMBM advances understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying biological systems, disease, and therapy. As Norway’s EMBL partnership centre, we unite molecular biologists, clinicians, and computational biologists to investigate life across scales – from single molecules to model organisms and patients – to deliver scientific excellence and insights with translational potential. This unique environment makes NCMBM an internationally recognised launchpad for the next generation of research leaders.
Currently located in Oslo Science Park, NCMBM will move into the new Life Science Building in August 2026, where it will be co-located with the University of Oslo’s Faculties of Medicine and of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, as well as Oslo University Hospital. In this unique environment, NCMBM will continue to play a central role in connecting discovery research with cutting-edge core facilities and strong clinical partnerships.
Our interdisciplinary groups currently:
Chart the logic of gene regulation and chromatin dynamics to uncover fundamental principles of cell identity and disease switches.
Decipher neural circuits through innovative research at the junction of developmental neurobiology, systems neuroscience and sleep research.
Engineer CRISPR-based strategies that correct inborn errors of immunity in patient-derived cells.
Discover molecular mechanisms behind rare and common immune diseases, especially primary immune deficiencies and multiple sclerosis, and utilising the new knowledge to benefit patients.
Uncover multi-omic signatures of complex diseases to stratify patients and guide precision therapeutics.
Why choose NCMBM
Competitive start-up funding – typically salaries for you, one PhD student, one postdoc and one technician, plus consumables.
Adjunct (20 %) affiliation – Option for joint appointment at Oslo University Hospital, Akershus University Hospital or relevant UiO department, facilitating translation and teaching. Joint affiliation with a hospital enables applications for HSØ funding for clinically relevant research projects.
EMBL-style career model – nine-year appointment (5 + 4 yrs) with a rigorous mid-term international review and scientific independence.
Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine – access to complementary infrastructure at MIMS (SE), FIMM (FI) and DANDRITE (DK), and EMBL (DE), plus joint training and meetings.
Strategic collaboration – unique and broad-based arena for translational research through collaboration with the hospital-based healthcare sector in the south-eastern part of Norway.
Life Science Building in 2026 – co-location with UiO Faculties of Medicine and Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Oslo University Hospital.
On-site infrastructure – Zebrafish Core Facility, Chemical Biology Platform, single-cell and long-read sequencing technologies, an HPC/data-science hub, and access to UiO infrastructures. Full details of the core facilities at UiO are available here, and details of the Department of Comparative Medicine is available here.
Part of Oslo Science City – access to a range of institutions and companies raising further opportunities for innovation and industrial collaboration.
What we offer
Position and salary – Full-time Researcher position with Group-Leader responsibility; annual salary NOK 755 962 – 822 090 (higher salary negotiable for exceptional candidates). From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.
Social benefits - include good welfare schemes and relocation support, as well as membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (Statens Pensjonskasse), which provides one of Norway’s best pension schemes with favourable mortgage and insurance terms.
Training and mentoring – Dedicated and tailored support for scientific development, leadership and supervision, including structured mentoring and training opportunities.
Inclusive and international environment – NCMBM values diversity and fosters a collaborative, supportive culture. Our community is 60% women, representing 15 nationalities, and 70% of our staff originate from outside Norway.
Visionary early‑career scientists – candidates will be ready to establish an independent research programme at a level suitable for pursuing ERC Starting Grant.
Proven record of scientific excellence, originality and research independence.
Commitment to team science, open, responsible research (FAIR data), and a collaborative mindset.
Willingness to contribute to the Centre’s research environment by engaging in activities such as mentoring, serving on committees, organising seminars, and supporting collaborative initiatives—in line with NCMBM’s and UiO’s expectations for responsible research conduct and academic leadership.
NCMBM follows DORA: assessment focuses on the quality and impact of your scientific contributions, not the journal venue.
Jarli & Jordan / UiO
We need different perspectives in our work
UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.
We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues—could you be the next one?
We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.
If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps, we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).
The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports.
More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.
We hope you will apply for the position with us.
How to apply (single PDF, 10 MB max.)
Cover letter (1 – 2 pages): career summary, major achievements, vision and fit with NCMBM.
CV and full publication list, highlighting up to five key contributions with brief scientific impact statements.
Research plan (≤ 5 pages): proposed aims, methods, collaborations, and potential medical or societal impact.
PhD certificate.
Contact details of three referees.
Submit via UiO’s electronic recruitment portal no later than 23:59 CEST, 14th September 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Selection process
Applications are reviewed by an international committee including EMBL and Nordic EMBL Partnership representatives. Short-listed candidates will be invited to Oslo for a two-day symposium and interviews. Evaluation criteria: scientific excellence, innovation and translation potential, synergy with NCMBM’s and UiO’s research environment, and the candidate’s potential to contribute to and strengthen both NCMBM and the broader research community.
Questions?
Scientific content – Prof. Janna Saarela, Director, NCMBM (director(at)ncmbm.uio.no)
Application system – Nina Modahl, HR Officer (nina.modahl(at)ncmbm.uio.no)
General information
The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.
Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we cannot, you will hear from us.
