PhD Fellowship. T cell differentiation on a chip

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 42,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD in the field of T cell immunology/organ-on-chip at The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway. The position is for 3 years.

The position will fill a role in a prestigious H2020 European Innovation Council EIC Pathfinder-sponsored, 8 partner, international project termed INCITE Immune Niches for Cancer ImmunoTherapy Enhancement (project no 964955), please visit our website https://incite.eu.com/  The project is a multidisciplinary innovation research project where the main aim is to use organ-on-chip technology to affect T cell differentiation programs towards more aggressive anti-cancer T cells. The position will mainly be in NTNU laboratories in Trondheim with the possibility to visit partner laboratories abroad.

This particular position will investigate the relationships between and behaviour of multiple cell types in the microfluidic chip by microscopy, flow cytometry and activity measurements and evaluate outcomes as cytotoxic activity. It is expected that the candidate participates also in the other work packages in advising on organ-on-chip design and operation, immunological and bioinformatical planning and interpretation.

The PhD position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions. The fields of immunotherapy and development of immune organ model systems are both cutting edge approaches and acquired knowledge in these fields is expected to provide many future opportunities.

You will report to Øyvind Halaas (Professor at Department of Clinical and Molecular Medcine, Faculty for Medicine and Health Sciences), the coordinator of INCITE and PI for on-chip evaluation.

[email protected]
Mobile +4797790870

• Investigate by 4D microscopy the interrelationships and behaviours of organotypic immune niche cells in the 3D microfluidic system
• Evaluate the effects of inputs on cell activity by standard molecular cell biology techniques
• Integrate knowledge transfer between partners in the INCITE consortium on best practice for the on-chip immune niche

• You must have a professionally relevant background in cell biology
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level 
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education. 
• Prior knowledge of T cell immunology is a prerequisite
• Experience in advanced microscopy for cell biology is a clear advantage
• Possibility to start January-March 2022

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants  and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

• Knowledge and experience in organ-on-chip technology and use is a large plus
• Deep understanding of cancer immunotherapy would be appreciated
• Good written and oral English and Norwegian language skills

• The ability to work independently with scientific and technological confidence and creativity
• A genuine interest in crosscutting science and technology is very helpful

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 491 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in medicine within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include: 

• CV, certificates and diplomas 
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted. 
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position. 
•  Name and address of two independent referees 
• If you have publications or other relevant research work 

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

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The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

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As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

In accordance with The Public Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Øyvind Halaas, telephone +47 97 79 08 70, email [email protected] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Elisabeth Myrvang, e-mail: [email protected] .

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI) .

Application deadline: 25.11.21

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM):

The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM) is NTNU’s largest department, with 450 employees. Our research and teaching help to improve treatment and health.

IKOM has expertise in basic, clinical and translational research within broad disciplinary areas. We study children’s and women’s health, cancers, blood disorders and infectious diseases, gastroenterology, inflammation, metabolic disorders, laboratory sciences and medical ethics. The Department offers teaching in medicine at master’s and PhD level. We also offer continuing education for employees in the health services.