About the position

Position as researcher available at the Department of Physics, University of Oslo. 

The position is for a period of 2 years.

Starting date as soon as possible, but no later than 01.11.2025.

Place of work is the Department of Physics at Blindern, Oslo.

Project description

The position is associated with the European Union funded COMBAT project. The details about the project can be found here: https://combatdengue.hemsida.eu/

The researcher will be associated with the work package 2 – DEVELOP high-throughput and super-resolution tools for virus research. The role of the researcher is to design and build advanced optical diffraction tomography (ODT). The ODT will be used for imaging organoids and a correlative fluorescence microscopy must be integrated with the ODT. A close cooperation with COMBAT partners associated with WP 2, i.e. both the academic institutions, Karolinska Institute Sweden, Stichting Amsterdam UMC (UMC), The Netherlands, Justus Liebig University (JLU), Germany; and the industrial partners, React4life Spa (R4L), Italy and Chip NanoImaging AS, Norway is anticipated. 

The researcher is anticipated to have experimental optical instrumentation background and exposure to build next generation ODT that can support high imaging depth e.g. 200-300 um inside the organoid. In addition, the researcher is anticipated to support with fluorescence based super-resolution optical microscopy using photonic-chip illumination. The chip based superresolution microscopy will be used for imaging thin sections from organoids. 

The researcher will get an opportunity to travel within the COMBAT consortium and to collaborate with both the biologist and the technology drivers and will conduct multidisciplinary research at the cross-roads of biology and physics. 

What skills are important in this role?

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.

Qualifications
 
Required:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Physics. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment.
• Background in optical instrumentation, particularly in the development and construction of optical diffraction tomography or quantitative phase microscopy systems.
• Experience in the development of fluorescence-based super-resolution microscopy methods such as structured illumination microscopy, single-molecule localization microscopy, and intensity fluctuation microscopy.
• Documented experience in both the development of the aforementioned microscopy techniques and their application in bio-imaging
  Experience with correlative optical microscopy methods, e.g., combining quantitative phase microscopy with fluorescence microscopy.
• As the target applications involve organoids and viruses, the candidate must have experience working with various biological specimens, including either viruses or bacteria. The candidate is expected to have training in cell handling and in working with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Desired:

• Experience with photonic chip-assisted super-resolution microscopy 
• Experience working with live biological samples and some familiarity with the preparation of tissue sections
• Experience working with tissue sections or organoid samples for bio-imaging applications
• Familiarity with image analysis tools such as MATLAB, ImageJ, and basic AI tools
   

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.

Personal skills

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. It is essential that the researcher can effectively communicate with the collaborators within the EU project in the field of biology.
• Ability to work precise in a structured manner and swiftly adapts to new tasks 
• Good communication and collaboration skills
• Positive attitude and the ability to handle hectic periods and multi-tasking

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

We can offer you

• 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.
• Committed colleagues in a good working 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 Researcher, position code 1109 in salary range NOK from 640 000 - 690 000, 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. 

How to apply 

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 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)

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 cannot, you will hear from us.

Please refer to  Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO.

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