Job description

Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Division of Laboratory Medicine has a full-time PhD Research Fellowship position code 1017 in Molecular Virology available for a period of three years.

More about the position

The position is funded by a grant from the Research Council of Norway and is associated with the project “Norwegian SARS-CoV-2 Study”

The project is outlined here.

The project focus on studying SARS-Coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evolution in COVID-19 patients.

The Department of Microbiology has a research department of more than 80 employees and 9 research groups. The candidate will be affiliated with the Clinical Virological Research Group.

The research fellow will be supervised and work with a team of experienced researchers from the Department of Microbiology, Dr Holter, PhD, Dr Andreas Lind, PhD and associate professor at UiO Dr. Med. Susanne Dudman. Close collaboration and supervision will also take place from the Department of Medical Genetics by Professor Simon Rayner. The work will be carried out at Oslo University Hospital at the Department of Microbiology and at the National Sequencing Center at the Department of Medical Genetics.

New infectious agents, such as SARS-CoV-2, must undergo extensive research to gain knowledge about the biology of the virus and its ability to induce disease (pathogenesis) in the host. In order to gain a good mechanistic understanding of the disease process, it is necessary to identify risk factors for serious disease and to examine the virus dynamics in addition to the host's response. By studying virus evolution over time in the host and the factors that influence this, it can provide knowledge about individuals' susceptibility and outcome. At Oslo University Hospital, we started the "Norwegian SARS-CoV-2 Study" in February 2020, an observational study that is expected to provide new knowledge about the course of COVID-19 infection, and the project has built up a valuable biobank through one year of inclusion of patients with varying severity of the infection. The cohort study is led by Dr. Jan Cato Holter, PhD. In addition, methods have also been established for complete sequencing of SARS-CoV-2.

The work will include further development and application of NGS-based methods including whole genome sequencing for characterization of SARS-Coronavirus.

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

The applicant must, in collaboration with her/his supervisor, within two months after employment, have worked out a complete project description to be attached to the application for admission to the doctoral program. For more information, please see our web site.

Qualification requirements

• Master degree or equivalent in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology or medicine.
• Experience with molecular methods in microbiology is considered an advantage (PCR, next generation sequencing, whole genome sequencing)
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Personal skills

When assessing applications, emphasis will be placed on the candidate's professional and personal prerequisites for completing both the researcher education and the research project.

• The candidate will work in a very ambitious interdisciplinary setting which will require high flexibility.
• The candidate should be motivated to both learn advanced next generation sequencing techniques and other new molecular methods

We offer

• salary NOK 482 200 to NOK 526 000 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:

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position
• CV (summarizing education, positions, and academic work - scientific publications)
• A complete list of publications
• Masters thesis
• Copies of educational certificates and transcript of records
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Letters of recommendation or 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 Jobbnorge, please follow the links “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, who are invited for an interview, are asked to provide educational certificates, diploma or transcript of records.

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 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

• Associate Professor Susanne Dudman, tlf: 23071155, e-mail: susannmg@medisin.uio.no
• Professor: Fredrik Müller, tlf: 23071161, e-mail: fredrik.muller@medisin.uio.no
• HR-adviser Karoline Berg-Eriksen, e-mail: karoline.berg-eriksen@medisin.uio.no (questions regarding the electronic application)

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