PhD position in Immunology and Rheumatology

An exciting three-year PhD position in immunology and rheumatology is available at Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital. The work will take place in the Immune Responses in Rheumatic Diseases research group, located at the Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo. We seek a highly motivated co-worker who is eager to engage in a dynamic and stimulating research environment.

More about the position
The PhD candidate will investigate T cells in different tissues, including synovial and lymphoid tissue, from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and related inflammatory disorders. We will focus on a specific subset of T cells and candidate antigens. The work will involve handling of patient samples, molecular biology techniques, advanced flow cytometry, bioinformatics and established wet-lab protocols. Other duties and opportunities include writing and collaborating on papers and presenting at national and international conferences. We wish the candidate to thrive and develop as an independent researcher.
The project is located in the newly established research group led by Associate Professor Asbjørn Christophersen, who has long lab research experience within T cells in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and is a rheumatologist by training. The research group is interested in the immune response in rheumatic disorders, and those involving joint inflammation in particular. A postdoc fellow and another PhD candidate in the research group will be involved in the project. Besides Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, important project collaborators are The Department of Rheumatology and their research center REMEDY at the Diaconal Hospital in Oslo, the Neuroimmunology research group (working on similar research questions in related disorders; sharing lab facilities; common lab meetings) and the Department of Rheumatology and Department of Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases at Oslo University Hospital/University of Oslo.
This three-year, full-time position is funded by the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority. The research fellow required to enroll ant to take part in the approved PhD program at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. The applicant, in collaboration with their supervisors, must develop a detailed project description within three months of employment, which will be appended to the application for admission to the PhD program. For more information, please see: Faculty of Medicine.

Requirements:

• A Master’s or equivalent degree in life sciences or a related field, or be a physician/MD with an interest in translational research
• The Master’s thesis and the associated coursework average must have a grade of B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Training will be provided, but previous experience with laboratory work within molecular biology is an advantage

Personal skills:

• Strong motivation
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and as an integrated member of a team
• Good communication skills

We offer:

• An exciting and stimulating academic environment
• A great opportunity to get to know research environments both in immunology and in rheumatology in Norway and internationally
• Salary as a PhD Research fellow according to Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital regulations
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous salary pension scheme through KLP
• A wide range of company sports teams in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply:
The application must include:

• Application letter, including motivation statement (why do you apply for this position?) and research interests
• CV, summarizing education, positions held, details of academic work, pedagogical and administrative experience and other qualifying activities
• Copies of educational certificates and transcripts of records
• A list of publications and academic works
• Contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Applications with attachments must be submitted through our electronic recruiting system for consideration. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).
In the evaluation of applications, significant weight will be placed on the applicants' academic and personal abilities for completing the project. Qualified candidates may be invited for an interview.

About the employer:
The vision for research at Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital is to contribute to novel and future-oriented knowledge, strengthen existing competence and enhance health care services. We have some of Norway’s leading research groups in medicine, psychology and other health sciences.
Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital is a local hospital for approximately 180.000 citizens in Oslo within medical and mental health services. The hospital has a comprehensive scheduled surgery and special functions such as Hospice and the national oral medical competence centre TAKO. The hospital is owned by the diaconal foundations Diakonova and Diakonissehuset Lovisenberg, which have an operational agreement with the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority. The hospital is based on diaconal values with non-commercial goals. Employees are expected to contribute actively to the hospital living up to our core values of quality and compassion.

About the University of Oslo and the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences:
The research group is located at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Oslo. The overall objective of the institute is to promote basic medical knowledge to understand normal processes, provide insight into mechanisms that cause illness, and promote good health. The Institute is responsible for teaching in basic medical sciences for the programs of professional study in medicine and the Master's program in clinical nutrition. The Institute has more than 300 employees and is located in Domus Medica, close to Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet.
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.

Contact information:
Associate Professor Asbjørn Christophersen: asbjorc@medisin.uio.no
Head of administration, Research Department Haakon Berg Johnsen: haakonberg.johnsen@lds.no Tel: +47 99625717