About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Neuroscience available at the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.

The fellowship period is 3 years.

Starting date no later than October 1st 2025.

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

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

Project description and work tasks

The candidate for this position will work in the research group of Prof. Marianne Fyhn at the Center for Neural Plasticity (Centre for Integrative Neuroplasticity - Department of Biosciences) on a project funded by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo. The project aims to uncover neural and molecular mechanisms underlying brain plasticity in both health and disease. 

The candidate will utilize advanced instrumentation, including cutting-edge molecular tools, high-resolution imaging, and neural recording techniques, to precisely perturb neuronal function and measure the resulting effects on neural circuits and cognition. The work will be immersed in a multidisciplinary team and involve close collaboration between molecular biologists, neuroscientists and machine learning experts in our research group as well as with collaborators at e.g. Harvard University and University of California San Diego. 

The research group conducts research at the highest level providing an ideal learning environment for the candidate to develop high-end experimental and computational skills that are attractive for a future career in research, public or private sector.

Qualifications requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. 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.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Molecular- or Cell Biology, Physiology or Neuroscience
  • Foreign completed degrees (M.Sc.-level) must correspond to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Experience with conducting electrophysiology or live-imaging experiments and/or developing and applying molecular probes to biological systems.

Desired qualifications

• Experience with programming and experience with analyzing data.

Language requirement

• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:

https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

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

Candidates without a master’s degree have until 30 June 2025 to complete the final exam.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:  http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

What are we looking for in you? 

• We are looking for a motivated candidate with strong technical skills and high ethical standards
• The ideal candidate has the drive to work independently and enjoys working in teams

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

We offer

• Vibrant international academic environment
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Good welfare schemes.
• Career development programmes
• 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 536 200 - 575 400, 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

The application must be submitted as a single PDF and include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
• 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. Foreign applicants should attach an official explanation of their University's grading system.

General information

The best qualified candidates will be 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),  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.