Postdoctoral fellow on host-microbiome interactions in human liver diseases

About the position 

Do you want to work as a postdoctoral fellow in research on host-microbiome interactions in human liver disease in the context of an ERC Consolidator grant?

One position is available as Postdoctoral fellow (SKO1352) - a 3-year engagement – at Research Institute of Internal Medicine at Institute of Clinical Medicine, funded by University of Oslo.

Research Institute of Internal Medicine consists of 6 research groups, and a total of about 60 employees. The research profile of the Institute is to combine clinical medicine and molecular biology to establish a bridge between bench and bedside. This is of utmost importance to exploit in clinical medicine the recent development in immunology, biochemistry and molecular biology with the ambitious aim to develop novel treatment modalities and new diagnostic tools. 

Integrated in the institute is the Norwegian PSC Research Center (NoPSC), which is a world-leading center dedicated to research on the chronic liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Several features make PSC an intriguing model disease; more than 80% of the patients have inflammatory bowel disease, for which the link with the biliary inflammation is poorly known, and the disease may recur after liver transplantation. The center comprises three research groups covering all aspects of research related to primary sclerosing cholangitis, from basic genomic and experimental studies to clinical research and clinical trials. 

More about the position / Project description

We are now seeking a skilled and ambitious co-worker to take on challenging projects in the context of the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant “FatVersusBile”, which focuses on how the gut drives liver health in humans and mice, in particular in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease. The subprojects in this 3-year postdoctoral position will use exciting in vivo gnotobiotic models as a discovery tool to define the microbial contribution to and interaction between chronic inflammatory and steatotic hepatobiliary diseases. New leads will be pursued using in vivo and in vitro experiments (including the use of organoid systems) as well as validation in human materials, with the aim of identifying potential mechanisms and their clinical relevance. 

The research group, led by Prof. Johannes Hov, has over the last decade established a strong clinical and translational microbiome research environment with access to a wide range of tools including metagenomics, mouse models and a germ-free animal facility. The group has recently successfully completed the ERC Starting Grant project “StopAutoimmunity”, which has led to several important discoveries. With the new ideas in “FatVersusBile” we aim to move one step further to understand gut factors driving liver health and how they can be manipulated. 

The work tasks will involve planning and execution of animal experiments and lab work including microbiology, flow cytometry and cell cultures. A collaborative attitude within the group to achieve common goals is expected. 

Importantly, we seek candidates who have an ambition to form an independent research track. A career plan shall be developed for the Postdoctoral Fellow, specifying the competencies the Postdoctoral Fellow should acquire. UiO is responsible for following up on the career plan and ensuring that the Postdoctoral Fellow has access to career guidance throughout the postdoctoral term.

The Candidate have to learn Norwegian, if the Candidate do not speak an another scandinavien language.

Qualifications 

• Applicants must hold a relevant PhD
• Ability to design, plan, interpret original in vitro and in vivo experiments in an independent and innovative way
• Formal training and significant experience with animal experiments is a requirement
• Laboratory animal training according to 2010/63/EU requirements is an advantage
• Experience with molecular biology is a requirement, preferably within microbiology or immunology.
• Good written and oral proficiency in English and Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language). If the employee cannot document skills in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 upon employment, UiO will offer Norwegian language training. The employee must complete training equivalent to at least 15 credits by the end of the employment period.

Personal skills

• Well organized with high working capacity and productivity
• Excellent team working skills
• Strong motivation for a career in science, including project management and scientific writing. 

Personal suitability for the position will be emphasized and taken into account.

We offer

• Salary NOK 575 000-679 000 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow (position code 1352)
• A challenging and friendly working environment located at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet.
• Pension arrangement and other welfare benefits
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• Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.
• Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO
• Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.
• If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.
• We hope that you will apply for the position. 
• More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

Application

Your application should include:

• Application letter.
• CV.
• A complete list of publications.
• Project description.
• Transcripts and certificates.
• Contact information for 2-3 references.

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews. 

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian) and Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian).

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.