PhD within the Field of Medical Technology

About the position

This position is a fixed term, full time (100 %) position for 3 years and available from October 1st, 2022.

At the Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging (www.ntnu.no/isb ), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at NTNU, there is a PhD position available within the field of Medical Technology with focus on non-invasive biomarker development for aggressive prostate cancer. The PhD is part of the Clinical Academical Group (CAG) for prostate cancer where the goal is to improve and standardize diagnostics across the Central Norway Health Region (https://helse-midt.no/samarbeidsorganet/clinical-academic-groups-cag ).

The CAG is part of a multidisciplinary research collaboration involving the Prostomics group at ISB (https://www.ntnu.edu/web/isb/prostomics#/view/about ), Group for Bioinformatics and Gene Regulation at Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM) and Department of Urology at St.Olavs Hospital. The main activity of the research group is to apply novel medical technology to generate large amounts of molecular data from prostate cancer tissue samples. Combined with advanced bioinformatics analysis, this data is used to discover and further validate biomarkers to improve stratification of prostate cancer patients in the clinic. The PhD projects described here is directed towards basic research, translation and innovation.   

Duties of the position

The candidate will be working on a project directed towards improving the diagnosis of prostate cancer, which is the most commonly diagnosed cancer type among men in Norway. The main task for the PhD candidate will be to apply and develop laboratory protocols for mRNA analysis in exosomes from liquid biopsies (primarily urine) where the goal is to develop biomarkers that can separate aggressive prostate cancer from the more slow-growing indolent types. The position will require the ability to work independently in the lab, develop and modify protocols for exosome/mRNA analysis beyond the current standards, and analyze the results. Most of this work will be performed at the laboratory facilities at IKOM, which has the necessary equipment. The candidate is expected to participate and communicate research results at regular CAG meetings. The position will also include a two months visit to a collaborator at Oslo University Hospital to get initial training with protocols for exosome/mRNA analysis. 

Required selection criteria

• A master’s degree or equivalent education within a relevant field of molecular biology, with a weighted-average grade of B or higher, in accordance with NTNU’s grading system.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
• Documented skills within laboratory work
• Ability to work both independently in the laboratory, and collaborate in a team
• Excellent English skills, spoken and written

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  

Preferred selection criteria

• Previous work with liquid biopsies
• Experience with exosomes isolation and analysis
• Experience with mRNA isolation and analysis
• Experience in laboratory research
• Experience with working interdisciplinary
• Previous collaboration with clinicians, in particular handling and collecting clinical samples
• Acquaintance with statistics and bioinformatics

Personal characteristics

• Excellent communication skills
• Motivation for the position
• Professional independence and assertiveness

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD Candidates (code 1017) are remunerated with a gross annual salary of minimum NOK 491 200.  In addition to taxes, a further 2% is deducted for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The appointment will be made in accordance with current regulations and supplementary rules with guidelines for employment as PhD Candidate appointments at universities and university colleges in Norway. Admission to a doctoral degree program is a requirement for employment as a PhD candidate. See: http://www.ntnu.no/studieavd/dok/PhD_regulations.pdf

Appointment takes place on the terms that apply to State employees at any time, and after the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

Candidates from universities outside Norway are requested to send a Diploma Supplement or similar official document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree:  https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/european-skills-passport/diploma-supplement .

Candidates from non-English speaking countries outside the Nordic countries must provide official documentation of their English competence. Approved tests and results are:

• TOEFL: 600 / writing 4.5 (paper-based test), 92 / writing 22 (internet- based test)
• IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS tests accepted)
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade A or B

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

About the application

Please submit your application electronically using the appropriate link in http://www.jobbnorge.no  Applicants will only be assessed on the information submitted and it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure everything is submitted by the deadline of 07.08.2022. 

Please complete the online application form. The applicant’s personal qualification and motivation for applying for the specific position must be mentioned in the cover letter. In addition, the following pdfs must be attached:

• Relevant transcripts and diplomas, including diploma supplement
• Short statement from a former supervisor/tutor/teacher
• Publication list, if applicable

Chosen applicants will be invited to undergo an interview.

For further information about the position, please contact:

Researcher Morten Rye, email: [email protected] , telephone 0047 97133155

Associate Professor May-Britt Tessem, email: [email protected] , telephone: 0047 92406886

For enquires regarding the application procedure, please contact:

HR Consultant 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.

Norway and NTNU offer strong family-friendly and life-balance polices, see:

http://www.nyinorge.no/en
https://www.norge.no/en
https://www.ntnu.edu/lifeandhousing/trondheim/practical-information

For more information regarding moving to NTNU: http://www.ntnu.edu/nirs

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. 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) .

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

Application deadline: 07.08.2022

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 7th August 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service