About the position

Do you want to join our team as a doctoral research fellow performing research highly relevant to women's health?

A Position as PhD Research Fellow in Translational Reproductive Science is available within the Centre for Embryology and Healthy Development (CRESCO) at the Institute of Clinical Medicine.

CRESCO is a team of researchers that combine complementary expertise on epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications, DNA repair and genome (in)stability, single-cell and single-nucleotide analysis, embryology and healthy development.

The researchers make up nine research groups with complementary expertise on biochemistry, gene regulation and stability as well as veterinary and human reproductive medicine.

Project description

The position is part of the project PRIME – Primordial follicle Regulation and Interventions for Modulating Extracellular tension, which aims to investigate whether primordial follicle activation in the human ovary was a reversible process. This groundbreaking research addresses key gaps in ovarian biology and seeks to develop novel strategies for fertility preservation in women at risk of early follicle depletion (e.g. cancer survivors and patients with POI).

The project combines molecular profiling, high-resolution imaging, and biomechanical manipulation using human ovarian tissue samples. The PhD candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary research environment, working closely with national and international collaborators.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. The duration of appointment is 3 years and the position is available as soon as possible. 

A fourth year as a PhD Research Fellow may become relevant, and it will involve 25 percent of other career-promoting work. Other career-promoting work may consist of teaching, supervision, and/or research assistance. This will depend on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the institute.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Your main tasks will be

• Conducting ex vivo experiments applying mechanical pressure to human ovarian tissue.
• Performing single-nucleus RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of ovarian follicles.
• Evaluating functional development of follicles after pressure exposure.
• Participating in dissemination of results and scientific publication.

What skills are important in this role?

Qualification requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in reproductive biology, reproductive medicine, molecular biology, biomedicine, embryology, or related field.
• Or foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English. 
• Knowledge of reproductive biology and ovarian physiology.
• Familiarity with RNA sequencing and/or bioinformatic analysis is an advantage.

Language requirements

• Good oral and written communication skills in English.
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
  Supplementary rules for the degree of PhD - Faculty of Medicine

Grade requirements
The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system.
• The average grade point for courses included in the master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system.
• The master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system.
• The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.

What are we looking for in you? 

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work precise in a structured manner and swiftly adapts to new tasks.
• Good communication and collaboration skills.
• The ability to handle hectic periods.

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We offer / We can offer you / Why should you choose us?

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• A pleasant and stimulating work environment.
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities. 
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Doctoral Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 560 000 to 620 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

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:

• Application letter -statement of motivation and research interests.
• CV -summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications.
• A complete list of publications.
• Academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Transcripts and certificates (copies of the original bachelor’s and master’s degree diploma).
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable.
• Contact information for 2-3 references.

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position". Foreign applicants should attach an official explanation of their university's grading system.

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 cannot, 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 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.