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Research assistant - Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM)

Deadline: 17.03.2021

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.


Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM) was established in 2008 and is the Norwegian node in the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. NCMM is a joint venture between the University of Oslo, Health Region South-East and the Research Council of Norway. From 2017 NCMM is merged with the Biotechnology Centre of Oslo and now has altogether 11 research groups. The overall objective of NCMM is to conduct cutting edge research in molecular medicine and biotechnology as well as facilitate translation of discoveries in basic medical research into clinical practice.

About the position

A (100%) research assistant position is available for one (1) year at the Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM).

Background: We are a research group at the Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), University of Oslo, focusing on chemical neuroscience using zebrafish models of epilepsy (and other neurological disorders). Using a combination of genetic and chemical approaches in zebrafish, the group seeks to elucidate the mechanisms of seizure generation, epileptogenesis and treatment resistance by probing the function of novel disease-associated gene variants involved in the etiology of pharmacoresistant epilepsies. We will use engineered zebrafish mutants and transgenic reporter lines as well as pharmacological seizure models for carrying out in vivo chemical modifier screens to identify novel neuropharmacological tools and drug leads. These models and neuroactive small molecules will serve as valuable tools towards understanding the development, function, and diseases of the brain.

Work tasks

  • Assisting lab manager with general laboratory/aquatic facility management (ordering, organization and storage of lab reagents)
  • Assisting aquatic facility manager w/ fish care, line maintenance (screening of mutant and transgenic lines), care, husbandry, health
  • IVF, egg collection and sperm cryopreservation, surgery and preparation for histology, genotyping, egg/embryo/larval sorting
  • (Co)responsibility for training of other personnel in ethical care and handling of zebrafish, related equipment and protocols
  • Assisting team members and external core facility users with research projects (e.g., microscopy, histology)
  • Database entry and management of fish lines, generations, aquatic facility equipment maintenance, water quality tests, sample collection

Qualification requirements

  • FELASA C certificate or equivalent will be valued
  • Prior experience working with zebrafish is REQUIRED
  • Experience and training with the following preferred:
    • Knowledge of zebrafish biology and development
    • Zebrafish maintenance and husbandry
    • Egg sorting, embryo and larval culture
    • Fish health and growth monitoring
    • Behavioral tracking, maintenance of different zebrafish strains
    • Anesthesia, euthanasia (drug preparation and administration),
    • Zebrafish surgery and dissection (e.g., fin clipping)
    • Genotyping
    • Microinjection of zebrafish eggs
    • Management of zebrafish database and tracking of fish lines and generations
    • Zebrafish nutrition, live feed preparation
    • Management and control of reverse osmosis systems
    • Maintenance and control of water treatment unit and recirculating aquatic systems
    • Maintenance and control of mechanical and chemical biological filtration
    • Experience with cleaning and disinfection of systems in aquatic facility and associated washing or disinfection equipment
    • Knowledge and prevention of zebrafish diseases
    • Preparation of samples for histopathological analysis
    • Identification of fluorescence reporters in embryos and adult zebrafish (microscopy)
    • Water quality testing and analysis of water parameters
    • Preparation of buffer solutions
    • Quarantine procedure methods for zebrafish
    • Ordering and organization of the lab storage facility
    • Training of fish facility personnel and FELASA students
    • Aquatic facilities design
  • The candidate should ideally have good knowledge of the Norwegian language, both written and oral
  • Good knowledge of Word, Excel and GraphPad
  • The group has a number of international collaborations. Thus, the position requires applicants to be highly organized and fluent in English

Personal skills

  • The successful candidate should have an open and friendly nature, always be willing to learn something new and be a self-motivated person not afraid to take initiative to communicate issues and/or troubleshoot.
  • Willingness to perform occasional weekend and holiday fish care (with compensation)
    • Preparedness to come to lab outside of regular working hours for emergencies (e.g., water alarm in facility)

We offer

  • salary NOK 348 100 – 364 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as research assistant, position code 1018.
  • 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
  • CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
  • copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
  • evt. documentation of English proficiency
  • 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”.

Formal regulations

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

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

Regarding the scientific inquiries please contact group leader Camila Esguerra

The inquiries regarding the technical aspects of the application can be directed to Nina Modahl

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