Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in Cancer Immunology is open at University of Oslo, Institute of Clinical Medicine. The fellow will be part of the Cell Signalling and Immune Regulation Group led by Prof. Kjetil Taskén located at Dept. of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research (ICR), Oslo University Hospital - Radiumhospitalet. The fellowship period is three years.

A main focus of the group is to understand tumor immune evasion mechanisms, and how we can interfere to boost anti-tumor immunity. We want to define future precision immune oncology strategies. We also work with signaling networks, anchoring and localization of signaling complexes and their drug targeting. Lastly, we work with cancer drug sensitivity screening to explore individual drug responsiveness and resistance patterns in patient cancer cells and for use in precision cancer medicine (PCM) in oncology and hematology. The enthusiastic research team of approx. 20 people is highly international and conducts research in close collaboration with international collaborators.

Read more about the group here.

And see a short or long Youtube-video about the work environment at the ICR here.

More about the position

The PhD project will involve carrying out parts of a project entitled Blocking regulatory T cells to restore immune function funded by the Research Council of Norway as part of the group’s research programme to understand tumor immune evasion mechanisms by regulatory T cells and other suppressors. We want to devise strategies to block immune evasion and explore new immune oncology approaches, and the PhD project will be specified depending on qualifications and interests.

The research fellow must take part in the Faculty of Medicine’s 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.

For more information, please visit here.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS, minimum grade B on ECTS grading scale) in immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, or equivalent or alternatively, an MD degree.
• Candidates with hand-on experience in cellular and/or molecular immunological techniques, or in chemical biology including e.g. cell culture, flow cytometry, retroviral transductions, gene editing and transfections, drug screening/assay development will be prioritized.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Personal skills

The candidate should be highly motivated and dedicated and possess excellent team working and communications skills.

We offer

• A dynamic and stimulating scientific environment in a young, enthusiastic and motivated team of immunologists, biologists and MDs. The Institute of Cancer Research is at the international forefront and houses top modern (2009) and excellent lab facilities with a wide range of core facilities (animal, light and electron microscopy, flow cytometry, genomics and bioinformatics, MR, drug screening, mass spec etc) locally or at the Rikshospitalet and UiO sites.
• Salary NOK 491 200 - NOK 534 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017).
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.

How to apply

The application must include

• cover letter statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• a complete list of publications and academic works
• 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).

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

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

• Professor Kjetil Taskén, e-mail: kjetil.tasken@medisin.uio.no
• Senior HR Adviser Thoril Kristiansen, email: thoril.kristiansen@medisin.uio.no

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