Job description

A 3-year PhD Research fellowship position (position code 1017) in immunology is available at the K.G. Jebsen Coeliac Disease Research Centre, Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo

More about the position

The project will be situated in the research group of Professor Ludvig M. Sollid (University of Oslo), focusing on immunotherapy in patients with celiac disease and how specific therapeutic agents effect the immune cells that drive this disease. The project will focus on celiac disease, but it will be relevant for many other autoimmune disorders. The Sollid group is one of five world-leading research groups at UiO.

The candidate will study the effect of immunotherapeutic drug candidates on celiac disease patients and immune cells relevant to this disease. Celiac disease is a common disease caused by acquired immune reactions to cereal gluten proteins. The disease is driven by gluten-specific CD4+ T cells, which this research group has long experience in targeting and visualizing. Recent findings of the group demonstrated that gluten-specific CD4+ T cells have a distinct phenotype and that cells with this phenotype are upregulated across multiple autoimmune conditions. The cells express several potential targets for immunotherapy such that these cells can be eliminated or their effector functions can be modified. Thus, the goal of this project is to identify and explore the best candidate for immune cell-targeted therapy in celiac disease. Several other immune cells are also involved in the disease, such as CD8+ T cells, γδ+ T cells, B cells and plasma cells. The drug effect on these cells may also be studied within this project.

In detail, the candidate will work on the following aspects:

• characterizing the effect of drug candidates on in vitro-cultured gluten-specific CD4+ T cells
• address the effect of the most promising drug candidate on a mixture of immune cells from blood and gut tissue relevant to celiac disease
• monitor the effect of potential drug targets in a minor patient pilot study

The candidate will work with established methods such as flow cytometry, mass cytometry, T-cell stimulation assays and gene sequencing. Clinical studies including patients will be organized together with clinicians and study nurses that are already present.

The research fellow must take part in the PhD program of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Oslo and is expected to complete the project within this program in order to obtain a PhD degree. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. In collaboration with her/his supervisors the applicant must within 3 months after employment submit a complete project description for admission to the PhD program.

Qualification requirements

• Applicants should hold a M.D., or a Master’s degree in a field related to immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, biochemical engineering, or pharmacy.
• Interest in medical research on a high level.
• Research experience from an immunology research laboratory is considered an advantage.
• Authorship of publication(s) in a major peer-reviewed journal is considered an advantage.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

We offer

• An exciting research environment with strong opportunities for academic development.
• Pay Grade 51–57, from NOK 479 600 to NOK 504 700, depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow (position code 1017).
• 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:

• Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position

• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)

• A complete list of publications

• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records

• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee

• Letters of recommendation or names and contact details of 2–3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the links “Apply for this job”. 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).

Applicants, who are invited for an interview, are asked to provide educational certificates, diploma or transcript of records. No student can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period 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 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.

Contact information

• Professor Ludvig M. Sollid, e-mail: ludvig.sollid@medisin.uio.no
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow Asbjørn Christophersen, e-mail: asbjorc@medisin.uio.no
• HR-adviser Karoline Berg-Eriksen, (questions regarding the online application form), e-mail: Karoline.berg-eriksen@medisin.uio.no

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