PhD Position in the Project, Molecular Secrets of Fitness to Prevent Diagnose and Treat Alzheimer's

About the position

A position as PhD candidate is open at the Cardiac Exercise Research Group, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU (Trondheim, Norway). The group is headed by Professor Ulrik Wisløff. 

The position has fixed-term duration of three years (100%). At CERG we investigate the effects of exercise in chronic diseases, such as heart diseases, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease using a wide range of tools spanning from animal experiments to clinical trials and epidemiological studies. For more information about the Department and the research group, see the following pages:  www.ntnu.edu/isb  and www.ntnu.edu/cerg .

This project consists of three complementary studies that aim to (1) explore the effect of increased cardiorespiratory fitness in exercise-trained older adults on their future risk of Alzheimer’s disease, (2) identify biomarkers in blood that might underlie the expected effect of increased fitness on the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and that could identify the future Alzheimer’s disease patients up to 8 years before clinical manifestation of the disease, and (3) detect changes in these biomarkers in early Alzheimer’s disease patients following treatment with blood plasma from exercise-trained donors. We seek a talented and diligent candidate with a high motivation and commitment to research.

Duties of the position

The successful candidate will be responsible for daily management of the projects, hereunder data collection, analysis and interpretation and communication of results.

Required selection criteria

Medical degree or Master`s degree in Molecular Medicine, Neuroscience, Biology, Biotechnology, Exercise Physiology, or equivalent program:

• Experience with molecular biological laboratory techniques
• Experience with basic statistical analysis and programs (such as SPSS)
• Excellent command of English (written and oral)
• A strong emphasis will be placed on personal motivation and proven ability to work independently and in team

Preferred selection criteria

Emphasis will also be placed on:

• Experience with bioinformatic analysis

Personal characteristics

• Positive with good communication skills and with ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Enthusiastic and highly motivated
• Good work ethics, management and organisational skills
• Inventiveness
• Proactive approach

NTNU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from anywhere in the world. The university is strongly committed to diversity and welcomes applications from members of ethnic minorities. The appointment will be made in accordance with current regulations for employment at universities and university colleges in Norway.

We offer

Salary and conditions

• The PhD fellowship is awarded for a total of 3 years, with start no later than 1st of June 2022
• PhD candidates are placed 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.

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

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

About the application

Applicants are asked to apply via this page, and to attach all relevant documents, see list below:

• A cover letter describing why you are an excellent candidate for the position (single page, no formatting requirements).
• CV (education, work experience, technical expertise. List of publications, if any)
• Certificates and diplomas (see "Requirements" above)
• List of reference persons (at least one). This could be a previous supervisor, project leader, university professor or any other superior you have worked with. Be aware that reference check will be conducted
• Any other document you consider relevant

Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree: http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/diploma-supplement_en.htm

For inquiries regarding the position, please contact:

PhD Atefe R. Tari, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU, email: [email protected]

Professor Ulrik Wisløff, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU, email: [email protected]

For inquiries regarding the application procedures, please contact: HR Advisor Julie Hoff, email: [email protected] 

General information

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. 

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.

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.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. 

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

Application deadline: 10.01.2022

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

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

The Department of Circulation and Imaging (ISB) has 260 employees, and its research units are at the Cardiothoracic Centre at St. Olav’s Hospital, integrated with collaborating clinical divisions. The Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging (ISB) includes anaesthesiology, radiology, radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, exercise physiology, cardiovascular physiology, pulmonary physiology, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery and biomedical engineering.

The department is also responsible for the Centre for Innovative Ultrasound Solutions (CIUS), the Medical Simulation Centre and the MR Centre. More information about the department is available at http://www.ntnu.edu/isb

Deadline 10th January 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Øya cmapus