NCMM is seeking outstanding international candidates

Translational research in molecular medicine is currently being strengthened in Norway, and there is a strong desire to closely integrate and coordinate basic and clinical research activities. Therefore, the NCMM Board has decided to recruit a new principal investigator in precision medicine as a strategic recruitment for the next 5-year period. We encourage international applicants, and are especially looking for candidates with experience in and a research program focusing on precision medicine and individualized diagnostics and therapy in areas of rare diseases or cancer.

The Group Leader will be selected using the quality criteria and process of assessment similar to the recruitment to EMBL Group Leader positions; with the focus on scientific excellence and potential to collaborate with existing NCMM group leaders. The successful candidate is expected to initiate a new independent research program with a clear relevance to molecular medicine and disease mechanisms. The research programme should also consolidate existing research within the Centre. All group leaders at the NCMM Translational Research Department have adjunct appointments in a university hospital department to facilitate translation and clinical collaboration. Furthermore, we expect multi-disciplinary research collaborations with other NCMM research groups and NCMM Associate Investigators, with the internationally recognized biomedical and medical research environment in Oslo as well as with other top Norwegian scientists and within the Nordic EMBL Partnership.

Qualification requirements and application details

• A PhD or equivalent degree, appropriate postdoctoral training, experience with supervision and a good track record of high-impact publications in top journals of biology or medicine within the relevant field. In addition, considerable weight will be put on the research plan proposed by the candidate and on how this will integrate and synergize with the activity of other NCMM investigators and potential collaborators in the Oslo region. Group leader positions are intended for independent investigators typically less than 8 years past their Ph.D. More senior applicants in this bracket are expected to also show experience in supervision, scientific leadership and a track record for attracting significant independent funding.
• Applications should include a cover letter summarizing the applicant’s career, past research accomplishments, future plans and fit with the NCMM research profile and the current research groups at the Centre (1-2 pages), a CV and a list of publications (with the 5 most significant publications indicated), a short research plan (max 5 pages) with a summary of expected translational, medical or public health impact. Candidates are also expected to name three references. Experience in clinical work will be considered an advantage for this position, and we encourage clinician scientists to apply. The University of Oslo is an equal opportunity employer, and female and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Staff that the applicant would like to bring to NCMM as part of their group should be named in the application.
• The top candidates will be invited to present their research in a talk and an interview and can be asked to provide a more detailed research plan as well as Letters of Reference. An International Search Committee will evaluate the candidates and their research proposals. Identification of and meetings with potential local collaborators will be organized by NCMM for those selected for interview. The candidate will be nominated in the second half of 2019, with an anticipated starting date in mid-2020.

What do we offer

The successful candidate for the position will be offered a contract as research scientist with function as group leader, subject to evaluation within the first 5 year period for an additional 4 years, according to the EMBL-model. The position is included in the Norwegian health insurance and retirement pension schemes and will be placed as SKO (Position Code) 1110 Scientist and with a salary range depending on qualifications from step (ltr.) 70 (NOK 640 200) to 84 (NOK 906 000). Assistance and financial support are provided for international or national relocation as necessary.

NCMM provides attractive sustainable support packages for new group leaders of more than 2.0 million EUR over the first five-year period. This includes salaries of the group leader, a postdoctoral fellow, a doctoral student as well as a technician (total 4 positions), consumables and modern laboratory facilities. The candidate is expected to complement this budget through other national and / or international grants and / or through industrial collaborations. NCMM scientists will be supported by excellent in-house research infrastructures and have access to the local research community’s infrastructures, see technology platforms at University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, national infrastructures and international capabilities provided by EMBL.

The Group Leader position may be combined with a part-time adjunct position (20%) at one of the national University Hospitals.

About NCMM

The overall vision of NCMM is to improve the molecular understanding of health and disease to facilitate improved medical practice. Current approaches and model systems at NCMM include bioinformatics, cell biology, genomics, neurobiology, immunology, genetics, rare diseases, stem cells, structural biology, synthetic chemistry and chemical biology as well as yeast and zebra fish model systems. Researchers at NCMM have access to state-of-the art drug screening instruments as well as other advanced research infrastructure. To support the Centre's translational research, we also actively collaborate with local hospitals and with the research environment nationally and internationally, translating our knowledge from bench to bedside. Please see the NCMM website for more information and research profiles of existing NCMM research groups as well as with NCMM core facilities.

Contact information

For further information visit our website. Inquiries about the positions can be directed to:

• NCMM Director, Professor Janna Saarela (director@ncmm.uio.no)

Inquiries regarding technical aspects of the application can be directed to Nina Modahl (ninam@ncmm.uio.no).

Formal regulations

Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

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