Job description

Two positions as postdoctoral research fellow are available at the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo in the research groups of Associate Professor Cinzia Progida and Professor Oddmund Bakke.

The candidates for these positions will work on a project funded by the Norwegian Research Council entitled: ”Membrane-cytoskeleton crosstalk for the intracellular coordination of immunity”. This is a collaborative project between the Norwegian groups and Prof. Jacques Neefjes in Leiden and Prof. Michael Sheetz in Singapore. The goal of this project is to identify molecules and pathways that coordinate the interplay between cytoskeleton dynamics and intracellular membrane transport, and to further characterize how this interplay regulates antigen internalization, transport and presentation as well as cell migration in dendritic cells. The project will make use of proteomics and bioinformatics to identify the network of interactions involved in this regulation. The project also depend on the use of advanced imaging techniques such as live cell imaging/super-resolution combined with biophysical assays to study the effect of dimensional cues and substrate stiffness on intracellular transport and cytoskeletal dynamics upon antigen recognition.

The laboratory of Assoc. Prof. Cinzia Progida is closely linked to the Eurobioimaging Advanced imaging node NorMIC Oslo, headed by Prof. Oddmund Bakke with access to a wide range of the latest imaging equipment and methods. The Department of Biosciences harbors also an EM-lab, the Norwegian Sequencing Centre (NSC) and Proteomics services.

More about the position

The appointments are fulltime positions and are made for a period of three years (10% of which is devoted to required duties, usually in the form of teaching activities).

The main purpose of post-doctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their disciplines.

The candidate will have access to a range of research schools and courses that provide both technical training as well as transferrable skills courses and workshops.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Candidates must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or similar field. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved
• The preferred candidate will have extensive experience in human cell biology and advanced imaging techniques, preferably live imaging
• Documented experience with intracellular transport and/or cell migration is a strong advantage
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Personal skills

We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working candidate with the ambition to gain new insights and publish papers in leading, international journals. The candidate must be able to document previous publications in top-level journals. Applicants must show good interpersonal skills and be willing to work in close collaboration with the project PIs and other members of the project team, as well as have the ability to work independently.

We offer

• Salary NOK 515 200 – 597 400 per annum depending on qualifications inposition as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (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

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter including a statement of interest, describing how your background and previous experience relate to the project in general, and how your skills fit into the research framework outlined
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other relevant activities)
• A brief account (one page, as a separate file) of the applicant’s interest and motivation for applying for the position including a brief description on how the applicant envisions his/her experience could be used to address the project goal
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• A complete list of publications and unpublished work
• 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. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications required for this project, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged if required. 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 as Postdoctoral Fellow for more than one specified period at the same institution.

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

For further information please contact:

• Associate Professor Cinzia Progida, e-mail: c.a.m.progida@ibv.uio.no , or
• Professor Oddmund Bakke, e-mail: oddmund.bakke@ibv.uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system please contact: HR-officer Nina Holtan, e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no

Apply for position