Job description

The fellowship is for a period of 2 years. Starting date: as soon as possible. No one can be appointed for more than one fixed-term at same type of position at the same institution.

Gözen group is both affiliated with the NCMM at the Faculty of Medicine and the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

This position is funded by Norwegian Research Council. The purpose of the postdoctoral research fellowship is to qualify the individual for employment in high-level academic positions.

More about the position

The project aims at elucidating the impact of interfaces at nano- and micro- scale, on the behavior of biological soft materials. Cells migrate to perform tasks essential for life, and are associated with disease development. For example, wounds on our skin close and heal thanks to the migration of cells around the circumference of the wound. Malignant tumors also spread through the migration of cancer cells. While migration is occurring, cells continuously interact in a complex manner with the contact areas they establish on surfaces, and with the surrounding chemical and physical environment. Migration is highly dependent on how cells perceive the interface they migrate on. Despite the known roles in cell migration, the materials-associated processes at the interfaces between a migrating cell and its environment have, so far, received little attention. This project will take a new alternative route of investigation, and will focus on soft- and hard matter solid interfaces, with the aim to engineer substrates at the nano- and microscale to study their interaction with simplified, minimal cell models. Major parts of the project contain design, fabrication and characterization of surfaces, fabrication of liposomes and 2D lipid films, micromanipulation of surface-adhered bio-objects using glass capillaries or microfluidic chips and the observation of the responses mainly by optical or surface microscopy.

Requirements/qualifications

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in materials science, chemistry, physics or biology (required) or related area. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved
• Practical knowledge of microfabrication procedures/clean room experience (preferred)
• Experience with programmable/tunable surfaces, soft micro-actuators (preferred)
• Experience with biological samples/cell culturing (preferred)
• Working knowledge of image analysis (Matlab, Python or similar) Preferably: successfully completed programming education during undergraduate studies (preferred)
• Practical knowledge of light and surface microscopy (preferred)
• Advanced level English in reading, writing and speaking (required)

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter stating the motivation for applying for this position
• 1-2 page essay (including figures and references) summarizing one project idea of candidate’s own, in the context of the announced project description: purpose, methods to be used, expected outcome
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

For further information about the group.

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please remember that all documents should be submitted in English.

Please submit the application with attachments in our electronic recruiting system.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

We offer

• Salary NOK 515 200 - 576 100 per year) depending on qualifications and seniority in a 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 programme designed for researchers at the beginning of their career

Formal regulations

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

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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.

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

Contact information

Regarding the scientific inquiries please contact:

• Dr. Irep Gözen, phone: +4722840596, e-mail: irep@mail.uio.no

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

• Ragni Indahl, e-mail: ragni.indahl@ncmm.uio.no or
• Nina Modahl, e-mail: ninam@ncmm.uio.no

Apply for position