PhD Candidate in Molecular Medicine

About the position

Applications are invited for a three-year Research Fellowship as PhD Candidate in brain and gut pathophysiology at the Department of Molecular Medicine (Anatomy), University of Oslo (UiO). 

The Research fellowship is funded by the University of Oslo and will be linked to a project on unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in the function of glutamine/amino acid transporters and their roles in brain and gut physiology. The candidate will be part of Professor Farrukh A. Chaudhry’s research group Farrukh Abbas Chaudhry - Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; See e.g. Hamdani et al., FASEB J, 2021; Qureshi et al., Cereb Cortex, 2019; Moen et al., Brain, 2016).

More about the position

The group uses a multidisciplinary approach − including immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy, single cell transcriptomics, kinetic investigations by two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology and ratiometric analyses on Xenopus laevis oocytes, generating and characterizing phenotype of genetically modified mice and investigating human pathophysiology  to unravel function and regulation of glutamine transporters in health and disease, and translating these findings to clinical practice. Part of the project will be executed in the laboratory of Professor and Senior Consultant Frode Jahnsen at the Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital. The Jahnsen group uses clinical material from the SYLMET study (Simultaneous vs. Staged Resection of Colorectal Cancer With Synchronous Liver Metastases) to perform single cell RNA sequencing and high-resolution transcriptomics to study the tumour microenvironment in both the primary tumour and metastases. The primary goal is to find biomarkers to determine prognosis and to identify targets for immunotherapeutic strategies.

The candidate is expected to unravel mechanistically the function and sub-cellullar localization of glutamine transporters, their membrane trafficking and regulation and their impact on human pathophysiology. The project also involves characterization of the phenotype of genetically modified mice with focus on perturbed neurotransmitter synthesis and synaptic plasticity and cellular proliferation and differentiation in the gut. 

Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree (120 ECTS) in life sciences or similar, minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. The master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS
• Strong academic background and practical experience in characterizing proteins. 
• Prior experience in biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, kinetical assays and immunocytochemistry.
• Understanding of genetically modified mice and experience in working with laboratory animals. 
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Additional skills

• Candidates with experience in electrophysiology, scRNAseq and/or neuroscience will be prioritized. 

Personal skills

• Strong motivation for research and follow through skills 
• Motivation to contribute to a strong cooperation between group members. 
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as an integrated member of a team.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to share expertise with other members of the research group. 

We offer 

• Salary NOK 536 200 – 575 400 per annum 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 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

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.

Application

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities)
• Copies of educational certificates (including classes attended and grades obtained).
• A complete list of publications
• Letters of recommendation
• Names and contact details of 3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, postal address and telephone number).

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.

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

General information

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),  Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

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