Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in immunology is available at the Section for Physiology and Cell Biology (FYSCELL), Department of Biosciences.

The successful candidate will join an ongoing project, COMPARE, which aims to understand the immune system of Atlantic cod, unique due to its complete lack of MHC class II molecules and CD4+ T cells. In vertebrates, the MHC II – CD4 axis is required for strong antibody responses and vaccine efficacy, and it is yet unresolved how Atlantic cod develops specific immunity. COMPARE is an interdisciplinary project funded by UiO:Life Science, where immunologists, evolutionary biologists, molecular biologists and bioinformaticians work closely together. Researchers in COMPARE come from two Centres of Excellence (2007-2017) funded by the Research Council of Norway, Centre for Immune Regulation (CIR) and Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES).

The candidate for this position will work mostly with cellular and molecular analysis of immune cells in codfish. The project will employ single-cell transcriptomics of immune cells and other cutting-edge technology within molecular biology, modern high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics. The project will also develop novel tools for immunologic research of Atlantic cod. The candidate will join two strong academic research environments.

The laboratory work of this project is located in the Department of Biosciences, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UiO, at Blindern campus and at the Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Institute of Clinical Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine. Additionally, experimental work with codfish is carried out at NIVA research station Solbergstrand near Drøbak.

More about the position

The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, or for a period of 4 years with 25 % compulsory work (e.g. teaching responsibilities at the department) contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department.

Starting date as soon as possible, and no later than 15.05.2020.

Qualification requirements

• Master’s degree (or other corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian Master’s degree) in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology or a closely related discipline is required
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) must correspond to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Hands-on experience with molecular and/or cell biology techniques
• Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 15.02.2020 to complete the final exam

The following qualifications are desired:

• Documented experience with bioinformatics is a strong advantage.
• Certification to conduct animal experiments and hands-on experience, particularly with fish is an advantage.
• Experience with high-throughput sequencing, genomics or bioinformatics is considered an advantage.

Requirements for admission to the PhD programme:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/application.html

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter including a brief account of your interests and motivation for applying for the position and how you fit the description of the candidate we are looking for (one page)
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of up to 3 publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone 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 may be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

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.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

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

Contact information

• Professor Finn-Eirik Johansen - email: f.e.johansen@ibv.uio.no, phone: +47 975 21 401
• Associate professor Shuo-Wang - email: s.w.qiao@medisin.uio.no
• PhD fellow Naomi Croft - email: naomi.croft@ibv.uio.no

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system please contact: HR-officer Nina Holtan, phone: +47 22854424, e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no

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