Job description

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Pharmaceutics available at Department of Pharmacy. The position is financed via the bilateral Romanian-Norwegian EEA grants as part of the TargEar project.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than 01.01.2021.

The fellowship period is 3 years and devoted to carrying out a project entitled “Active targeted drug delivery systems based on peptide-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for the treatment of inner ear diseases” (TargEar).

More about the position

The position is affiliated with the research group Site-specific Drug Delivery (SiteDel).

Hearing impairment can be caused by different factors, such as genetic defects, environmental factors, or a combination of both. These factors induce the damage and death of hair cells and neurons in the cochlea, therefore cellular loss and concomitant hearing loss cannot be reversed.

The main objective of this project is the preparation of drug-loaded peptide-functionalized magnetic nanocarriers capable of active targeting, under the action of a magnetic external field, and internalizing in the inner ear specific cells due to the peptide ligands.

Within this project, the main responsibility of the current position will be physicochemical characterization of functionalised chitosan oligomers, and formulation, preparation and characterisation of oligochitosan-based nanocapsules and oligochitosan-coated liposomes. This project is a collaboration between research groups in Romania and Norway, and the candidate is expected to have close contacts with the research groups in Romania.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition is to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. 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.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Pharmacy or Chemistry.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• Documented experience with research on physico-chemical characterization of polymeric systems. It is also essential with documented knowledge about formulation of polymer-based nano-/micro-particular Drug Delivery Systems.
• It is considered advantageous with additional competency in organic synthetic chemistry.
• Experience with experimental methods like light scattering and rheology is also considered advantageous.

Grade requirements:

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.
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:

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

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/

Personal skills

Personal qualifications will also be taken into consideration.

We offer

• Salary NOK 482 200 – 535 200 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
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of 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

For further information please contact:

• Prof. Sverre Arne Sande, phone: +47 228 56590, e-mail: s.a.sande@farmasi.uio.no or
  
• Prof. Bo Nyström, phone: +47 228 55522, e-mail: b.o.g.nystrom@kjemi.uio.no

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Therese Ringvold, e-post: therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no

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