Job description

Do you want to advance our knowledge on bile duct inflammation using an organ-on-a-chip system?

Applicants are invited for a 3 year position as Postdoctoral Fellow at the Norwegian PSC Research center (NoPSC) at Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway project DUCTchip and will be a collaborative project between NoPSC and the Norwegian Centre of Excellence Hybrid-technology-hub (HTH).

More about the position

NoPSC is dedicated to research on the chronic liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Immune functions play a clear role in the disease pathogenesis but still a lot is unknown regarding inflammatory mechanisms in the bile ducts. The NoPSC center comprises three research groups covering all aspects of research related to primary sclerosing cholangitis, from basic genomic and experimental studies to clinical research and clinical trials. The research environment is world-leading for PSC and counts 30-35 engaged researchers from several countries and specialties.

We are now seeking a skilled and ambitious co-worker to take on a challenging project funded by the Research Council of Norway. The project will be a collaborative effort with a Norwegian Centre of Excellence headed by Professor Stefan Krauss. The project is led by Professor Espen Melum who combines expertise on bile duct inflammation and bile duct diseases with technological advances. The postdoctoral fellow will form an integrated team together with researchers at HTH and NoPSC and work with a recently established bile-duct-on a chip system to uncover and modulate inflammatory processes in the bile ducts. The experiments will be conducted using mainly human material with a high relevance for translation into clinical medicine.

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

Qualification requirements

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in molecular biology, bioengineering or immunology. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.
• Ability to design, plan, interpret original experiments in an independent and innovative way
• Experience with advanced cell-culture, including organoid culture techniques, and organ-on-a-chip systems is an advantage
• Experience in molecular biology is a requirement, preferably within immunology
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language.

Personal skills

• Well organized with high working capacity and productivity
• Excellent team working skills
• Strong motivation for a career in science, including project management and scientific writing

We offer

• Salary NOK 575 400 – NOK 657 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352) or 575 400 - 679 700 as Researcher (position code 1109)
• An ambitious, stimulating and friendly working environment located at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet
• Pension arrangement and other welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter
• CV (summarizing education, position and academic work, and that lists scientific publications)
• Copies of educational certificates
• List of publications
• Names and contact details of 2-3 referees (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone 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 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 specified period at the same institution. The position is also open for candidates who have completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellow period at the UiO. These candidates will be evaluated for a three-year position as Researcher (SKO 1109).

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

• Professor Espen Melum, MD, PhD, Project leader, espen.melum@medisin.uio.no, Tel. +47 91780732

For further info about the research environment please see:

• NoPSC (www.ous-research.no/nopsc)
• Espen Melum’s group (www.ous-research.no/melum)
• Hybrid-technology-hub (https://www.med.uio.no/hth/english/)

The Postdoctoral fellow will be employed at Norwegian PSC Research Center, Department of Transplantation Medicine, University of Oslo and work in the environment of the Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Diseases and Transplantation, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital.

Apply for position