2-years researcher position – Cellular immune response to third and fourth corona vaccination in...

A 24-month researcher position is available in Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The position is one of eight positions funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership to accelerate the development of vaccines and is a regional partnership between the Oslo University Hospital (OUH), Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), Diakonhjemmet hospital and Akershus University Hospital. The position may be subject to extension. 

We seek a highly motivated individual holding a PhD or M.D.-PhD degree that appreciates working in an international and interactive environment. Candidates should have experience within mass cytometry or advanced flow cytometry, cell culture techniques and knowledge of any of the fields of immunity to infections, immunobiology, translational medicine or related fields.
The successful applicant will work in the lab for Infectious Disease Immunology, Department of Method Development and Analysis, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, near core facilities, including multiparameter flow cytometry and mass cytometry in a multidisciplinary team specialized in infection and immunity and cellular proteomics. The position will be in the research group of Senior Researcher Siri Mjaaland.
The Department for Methods Development and Analytics is a national competence environment for advanced methods and approaches in infection and environmental immunology, epidemiology, and microbial genomics.
The successful applicant will work in an interactive multidisciplinary environment of scientists, in a strong academic environment, focusing on immune activation and dysregulation, crosstalk between cells, signaling pathways and their outcomes in COVID-19.
The 2-years researcher position will focus on monitoring vaccine responses in one thousand 3rd or 4th revaccinated high-risk patients that are immunosuppressed due to medical therapy or due to genetic defects. The data will contribute to generating new guidelines for vaccinations for these high-risk groups of patients. Existing positive and negative controls and biobank samples from influenza patients will be compared to vaccinated and cell samples from COVID-19 patients using multiparameter flow and mass cytometry analysis of phenotype and activation state of immune cells. In addition, a clinical trial with transfer of convalescent plasma in COVID-19 patients will be followed for biomarkers of disease severity and treatment success. 

• Plan and perform/supervise laboratory work
• In collaboration with biostatisticians in the department, analyze high-dimensional mass and flow cytometry data sets with supervised and unsupervised data analysis tools, primarily using R
• Publish scientific papers and internal/national reports and present results at international conferences

• The candidate must have a PhD degree (or another corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree) related to molecular biology, cell biology or immunology
• Experience within mass cytometry or advanced flow cytometry is required
• Experience with cell culture techniques is required
• Knowledge of any of the fields of immunity to infections and immunobiology is required, knowledge of translational medicine is beneficial
• It will be an advantage if the applicant can start as soon as possible
• The candidate must be fluent in written and spoken English

• Highly motivated and structured candidates with excellent laboratory skills and good collaborative qualities will be prioritized
• Results-oriented, flexible, and able to handle active working days and sometimes stressful situations
• Contribute to a good working environment and social environment at the department 

• A challenging and friendly working environment
• Salary based on qualifications following the state regulations
• Pension scheme in the Government Pension Fund
• Flexible working hours
• Attractive welfare benefits

The application must include:

• Application letter, including a ½ page motivation statement and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions, academic work-scientific publications, and other relevant activity)
• Copies of educational certificates and letters of recommendation
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee. Note: Applicants are advised not to attach the publications themselves. They should only provide a list.
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and telephone number).

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
The application with attachments is to be registered in our electronic recruiting system.
Following the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s equal opportunities policy, we invite all interested individuals regardless of sex or ethnicity to apply.
According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s vision is better health for all. We produce, summarize and communicate knowledge for the public health sector and healthcare services. Our main activities are emergency preparedness, knowledge and infrastructure. Infrastructure comprises registries, health surveys, biobanks and laboratory services. The Institute is a government organization under the Ministry of Health. We have approximately 1140 employees located in Oslo and Bergen.

The Institute is committed to diversity. We urge qualified candidates to apply for a job with us, regardless gender, age, disability, ethnic or national background, or if there are periods of absence from work.