Job description

Position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is available at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo. The position is part of the SYNFAS Research Group:

https://www.mn.uio.no/farmasi/forskning/grupper/synfas/.

Project description

The project area is AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance). AMR constitutes a critical threat to modern health care, including cancer treatment, organ transplants and other surgical procedures. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that an apocalyptic post-antibiotic era is a very real possibility for the 21st century. AMR is a global and multifactorial problem which requires a convergent interdisciplinary approach and strategy. In collaboration with The University Hospital in North Norway (UNN) and The University of Tromsø (UiT) the SYNFAS group has identified a new class of non-toxic and non-antibiotic adjuvants (ZinChel) which in combination with carbapenems, last resort antibiotics on the market, virtually removes resistance in clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Gram negative bacteria included on WHO’s lists of the top 10 most threatening bacteria today

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/27/world-health-organisation-12-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-threat-human-health

One consequence of this is that cancer patients, often (about 20 %) dying from infections, may have their survival rates decreased in a post-antibiotic era.

The candidate will mainly work with organic chemistry related to development of the lead candidates in the ZinChel project and related projects, and have the opportunity to collaborate on cross-scientific and innovation-related tasks in the network of the ZinChel project environment. Relevant collaborators are UiO's TTO, Inven2 AS, and microbiology groups at the Department of Pharmacy. Depending on future development of the project results, a start-up company from the ZinChel project is under consideration. The SYNFAS group collaborates actively with AMR - Antimicrobial resistance networks, e.g. TTA – Turning the Tide of Antimicrobial resistance:

https://www.ous-research.no/amr/.

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

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.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry, preferably with competence/ experience within microbiology, antibiotics or AMR. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the application deadline. Appointment is dependent on the public defense of the doctoral thesis being approved
• Additional competence in molecular modeling/protein crystallography will be an advantage
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and a Scandinavian language

Personal skills

• Personal suitability will be emphasized
• Ability and desire to work in cross-scientific teams
• Good communicative skills are necessary
• Ability and motivation to supervise other persons in the group

We offer

• Salary NOK 515 200 – 597 400 per annum depending on qualifications in position 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

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works 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)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.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 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

For further information please contact:

• Professor Pål Rongved, phones: +47 22855024, cell: 47 95700897, e-mail: pal.rongved@farmasi.uio.no or
  
• Professor Ole Andreas Økstad, phone +47 22854789, e-mail: aloechen@farmasi.uio.no

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Officer Therese Ringvold, e-mail: therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no, phone: +47 22 85 16 06.

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