About the position

A three-year PhD research fellowship position is open in Haapaniemi group, located at NCMBM (Norwegian Centre for Molecular Biociences and Medicine) in University of Oslo & Oslo University hospital.

The aim of the Haapaniemi group (www.haapaniemilab.org) is to build a CRISPR-based gene editing platform that can correct patient-specific mutations in ex vivo cell therapies for genetic immune diseases. We focus on correcting blood stem cells for curative therapy and T cells as a salvage therapy for infections and immunodysregulation. We aim to build correction technologies that fit to a wide spectrum of mutations in diverse genes, as opposed to focusing on a specific gene or disease.

Work tasks

The work tasks concentrate on optimizing and scaling up protocols for efficient mutation correction in human T cells and hematopoietic stem cells, and transplanting cells to mouse models. We use both patient samples and healthy control cells. Example tasks:

• Optimize T cell and stem cell ex vivo editing & culturing conditions
• Transplant edited cells to humanized mice
• Design and optimize high-throughput biology experiments
• Set up custom Next Generation Sequencing libraries and technologies
• Scale up protocols to pre-GMP and GMP scale

Qualification requirements

We are looking for an enthusiastic and hard-working scientist with a Masters degree or equivalent in life sciences. We prioritize candidates with work experience in academic or private research environments, in the fields of stem cell biology, immunology, gene editing or high-throughput screening. The research fellow will take part in an approved PhD program at the University of Oslo and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period, leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are mandatory.

We offer

• Good welfare schemes.
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities.
• 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 to 575 400, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

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

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, and other qualifying activity
• List of publications
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• List of 3 reference persons (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone 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.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on relevant previous work experience and the candidate’s motivation and personal suitability. We will arrange interviews with the best qualified candidates. We expect that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project during the period of employment.

Contact information

Inquiries about the position can be directed to group leader Dr. Emma Haapaniemi, emma.haapaniemi@ncmm.uio.no

Inquiries about application can be directed to HR-adviser Nina Modahl: ninam@ncmm.uio.no

General information

The best qualified applicants 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.