PhD fellowship at the Interface of Systems Neuroscience and Cancer Biomechanics Research
Deadline: 05.04.2026
Publisert
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 Institute of Basic Medical Sciences overall objective is to promote basic medical knowledge in order to understand normal processes, provide insight into mechanisms that cause illness, and promote good health. The Institute is responsible for teaching in basic medical sciences for the programmes of professional study in medicine and the Master's programme in clinical nutrition. The Institute has more than 300 employees and is located in Domus Medica.
About the position
A 4-year PhD position is available at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. This is a unique collaboration between the labs of Associate Professor Coen Campsteijn (mechanistic cancer biology) and Professor Koen Vervaeke (systems neuroscience).
You will join GLIOFORCE, a recently established and interdisciplinary consortium merging biology, physics and engineering to describe, model and target cellular biomechanics during invasion of aggressive brain cancer, Glioblastoma. By targeting cancer cell mechano-adaptation, GLIOFORCE aims to open up innovative avenues for treating aggressive cancers like Glioblastoma.
More about the position
We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a strong interest in neuroscience, cancer research and advanced microscopy. You will:
Track cancer invasion in real-time using state-of-the-art in vivo two-photon microscopy in mice, and live-cell confocal microscopy using ex vivo 3D models.
Genetically manipulate cancer cells using CRISPR/Cas9 to identify and target molecular mechanisms enabling invasion.
Study how neuronal activity and brain anatomy influence cancer spread using advanced ex vivo 3D models.
Collaborate closely with three other PhD students in a supportive, cross-disciplinary team.
The normal fixed term of appointment is four years including 25 per cent of other career-promoting work
Qualification requirments
We are looking for applicants with a Master’s degree (120 ECTs) in neuroscience, molecular or cell biology, or closely related fields. Minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale). The Master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS. A background in topics directly relevant to the position will be viewed favourably.
Technical skills: You must be comfortable working with rodents and performing delicate surgical procedures. Previous experience with animal surgery is a major advantage. Experience with advanced live-cell light microscopy will also be considered a major advantage.
Data Analysis: Experience with programming (for example Python/Matlab) and image analysis is highly emphasized. Such experience should be documented.
Scientific Curiosity: You are eager to bridge the gap between neuroscience and cancer biology. For you, research is a calling, not just a job. You possess a lifelong, burning curiosity and a genuine need to understand how biological processes work.
An excellent command of written and spoken English is required.
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.
Why should you choose us?
Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
A workplace with good development and career opportunities.
Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
Salary in position as Doctoral Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 550 800 to 600 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.
Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.
Application
Your application should include:
Application letter.
CV.
A complete list of publications.
MsC project summary.
Transcripts and certificates.
Contact information for 2-3 references.
Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".
When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.
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.
