Job description

Are you interested in transferring research from the lab to the clinic?

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join our research team in facilitating the transition of one of our research projects into clinical testing. The position is affiliated with the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo, but your daily work place will be at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet. The research group has conducted basic, translational and clinical research for more than 30 years, with a focus on blood coagulation factors and their role in disease.

More about the position

In the project, you will work on a bleeding disorder called inherited factor (F) VII deficiency. FVII is a vital protein in the blood coagulation process and an inherited deficiency of this protein is caused by mutations in the F7 gene leading to severely reduced activity of the FVII protein in the blood. Clinically, these patients experience frequent and sometimes severe bleeding episodes, and the only treatment today is replacement therapy that is expensive and invasive. We are using CRISPR gene editing and advanced cell reprogramming techniques to correct the mutation in the patients’ own cells and establishing transplant procedures to restore FVII activity and function. Your role will be to transfer our protocols and procedures into a GMP-compliant setting and to ensure that the gene edited cells fulfill the requirements as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).

You will also be involved in identifying and handling regulatory aspects related to ATMPs, and in obtaining financial support for clinical trials. This important pre-clinical work will ensure that the translation from the bench to bedside can occur without delay. You will be part of our research group and will work closely with two experienced researchers and a PhD student on the project. The position is over a three-years period and the starting date is no later than Oct 1st of this year.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Qualification requirements

• PhD in relevant topic
• Ability to independently design, plan, execute, and interpret complex experiments
• Experience with CRISPR gene editing and stem cell work, including organoid culturing
• Experience in molecular biology, preferable within immunological techniques such as immunoprecipitation, western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunostaining/microscopy
• Experience with establishing and characterizing novel in vitro organoid models is an advantage
• Experience with GMP and ATMP is an advantage
• Proficient in English language, both written and oral

The appointment requires a PhD or a degree equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in medicine or natural sciences. A prerequisite for applicants who have not yet defended their thesis is that the thesis is submitted for assessment before the closing date for applications. Appointment to the position is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved.

Personal skills

• Excellent communication and team working skills
• Organized and structured
• Independent and problem solving
• Flexible and willing to learn

We offer

• Salary NOK 534 400 – 615 800 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• 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
• A career development program for postdoctoral fellows The Postdoctoral Programme - Faculty of Medicine (uio.no)
• Interest organization for PhD and postdoctoral fellows Home - UiODoc (uio.no)

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter (statement of motivation, summarizing relevant scientific work and research interest).
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities).
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only).
• A complete list of publications.
• Any research publications that the applicant wishes to be considered.
• 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. 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description and the quality of the project as well as the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow 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.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want 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.

Contact information

• Project leader, Professor Per Morten Sandset, e-mail: p.m.sandset@medisin.uio.no
• Researcher Maria Eugenia Chollet Dugarte, e-mail: m.e.c.dugarte@ous-research.no
• Senior HR Adviser Thoril Kristiansen, e-mail: thoril.kristiansen@medisin.uio.no

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