Postdoctoral fellowship in in vitro human iPS cell-based neurodegenerative disease modeling
Deadline: 11.12.2025
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 three-year postdoctoral position is available at the University of Oslo under a project devoted to developing an innovative microfluidic platform for human iPS cell-based neurodegenerative disease modeling. The project focuses on differentiating iPS cells to neurons, glia and other cell types involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), and on manipulating these cell types in the in vitro platform. The postdoctoral fellow will work with two research groups, one specializing in ALS, the other in PD, but with similar utilization of the in vitro platform. The project includes strong collaboration with technology partners that are developing a powerful, versatile, multi-functionalized in vitro platform that can accelerate research into neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and drug screening.
Applicants should have prior expertise with iPS cell culturing and differentiation protocols. Experience with gene editing, electrophysiology and/or optical recording techniques is also valuable, but not strictly necessary. We are looking for candidates who are strongly motivated to advance and implement the cellular components of the platform and to interact with the various technology partners to test platform functionalities such as optical and electrical measurements of cell function, miniaturized molecular delivery and sampling, mechanical stimulation and sensing, and functionalized surfaces. The project is funded by the Norwegian Research Council’s Convergent Technology program.
The postdoctoral fellow will work at laboratories at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, including the Norwegian Core Facility for Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.
The postdoctoral fellow will work within a diverse, international research environment that is highly networked nationally and internationally and with a research profile and collaborations covering stem cell biology, developmental neuroscience, clinical neurology, micro- and nano technology and fabrication, surface technology and bioethics.
Required skills and qualifications
The position is for 3 years. Applicants must have a PhD in stem cell biology or neuroscience (or a related field), and prior experience working with iPS cells. The postdoctoral fellow will engage in basic and advanced cell culture and molecular biology methods. The fellow will be expected to work in a team environment to advance the overarching aim of developing the innovative in vitro platform. High level proficiency in English is required
More about the position
Selection of short-listed candidates will be based on assessment of prior experience in the areas described above, a preliminary interview and references supplied by the candidate. Assessment of personal qualifications deemed important for working in our team will be included. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a more in-depth second interview. Interviews may be conducted by Zoom if necessary.
The position will include a career planning component with the University of Oslo’s career guidance available throughout the postdoctoral tenure, to help the postdoctoral fellow develop junior faculty competence.
Why choose us?
We offer a dynamic, diverse and intellectually stimulating research environment with committed colleagues working on innovative projects with important societal contexts.
The workplace at Institute of Basic Medical Sciences provides excellent career development opportunities.
The University of Oslo provides excellent welfare programs for its employees, and one of Norway’s best pension schemes with good insurance and mortgage insurance programs.
The University of Oslo permits up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
Salary in position as Postdoctoral Fellow, position code 1352 in salary range NOK from 595 000 – 650 000, 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.
Inclusive worklife and diversity at University of Oslo
Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition, and seeks 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.
More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.
Application
Your application should include:
Application letter
CV
Short description of PhD research
A complete list of publications.
Contact information for 2-3 references.
Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".
General information
The best qualified candidates will be 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 can't, you will hear from us.
