Job description

Applications are invited for a PhD candidate position at the Institute of Oral Biology, the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo. The project that the candidate will work on is entitled "Bacterial vesicles: a secret weapon in periodontitis?" 

All bacteria produce and secrete extracellular vesicles (bEVs) constitutively. We investigate bEVs from Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram- negative anaerobic species that is one of the main bacterial pathogens involved in the initiation and progression of periodontitis, a chronic inflammation caused by infections in the supporting tissues of the teeth, which eventually can result in tooth loss in affected individuals. Worldwide, this disease represents a serious oral health problem with an increasing prevalence in the aging population. In addition, bacteria involved in periodontitis are linked to the pathogenesis of several systemic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Porphyromonas gingivalis has been shown to secrete a large number of bEVs considered to be a contributor to bacterial survival in the oral cavity and to the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The bEVs harbor several virulence factors, and it is possible that active, pathogenic substances are present in larger amounts in the vesicles than in the whole bacteria itself. The overall aim of the project is to investigate the effect of these bacterial extracellular vesicles on key processes in selected periodontal cells. 

More about the position

The fellowship period is three years. A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualifications of the applicant and the current needs of the institute. 

A shorter employment period may be granted if the research fellow has already completed parts of his or her research training program, or when the appointment is based on previous employment in an educational position (research fellow, research assistant etc.), so that the total time spent on research training is three years. 

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Dentistry.

The research fellow must take part in the approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The final plan for the doctoral education must be approved and contractual no later than three months after commencement. You find more information here. 

Qualification requirements

For the candidate we require: 

• Master’s degree equivalent to a Norwegian Master’s degree in biology, molecular biology or in a field relevant to the research project. 
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system.
• Competence in molecular biology
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language is required for a 4-year fellowship including teaching duties. 
• Experience with bacterial culturing, work on extracellular vesicles, analysis of proteomic datasets, qPCR, and Western blotting is advantageous, although training will be provided. 

Personal skills

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. 

We require: 

• Ability to conduct high-quality independent research within a broad collaboration
• Ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary scientific environment 
• Interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness to work together with PhD and/or Master/Bachelor students in our group and collaborating groups 
• Good social and collaboration skills 

We offer

• Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement

How to apply

The application must include: 

• Cover letter statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• A list of publications
• Certified copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records Letters of recommendation 
• Documentation of English proficiency
• 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 (please follow the link “Apply for this 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. Applicants with foreign diplomas are asked to send the original diploma with a Scandinavian or Englishtranslation. Translations must be certified. 

Please note that applications are evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

Formal regulations

Please see Rules and regulations regarding the Faculty's PhD program and guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo. 

Applicants may be called in for an interview.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

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.

Contact information

• Professor Hilde Galtung +47 22840338, hilde.galtung@odont.uio.no

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