PhD candidate in cancer biology

The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine has a vacancy for a

PhD candidate in cancer biology This is NTNU

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 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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

About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate at The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM).

The position is one of three PhD positions within the project Personalized treatment of small-cell lung cancer, which is an interdisciplinary project involving oncology, bioinformatics, and materials science. The overall aim of this project is to develop an affordable, cost-effective, and easily implemented diagnostic classification system for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). This will enable us, among other things, to assess the extent of disease, predict treatment response and disease development including risk of brain metastases, and estimate time to relapse and survival time.

The PhD candidate will focus on in vitro analyses of biological samples from SCLC patients, including genomic analyses (single cell transcriptomics, tumor DNA sequencing) and analyses of treatment responses in 3D alveoli tissue models. The position is available at the lung cancer research group at IKOM, where you will report to Professor Bjørn Henning Grønberg.

Duties of the position

One of the PhD candidate's main responsibilities will be tissue culture experiments on patient-derived cells, but the position will also involve the following tasks:

Participate in developing and updating procedures for collecting, handling, cryopreserving, and processing biological material such as tissue and blood

Isolate DNA and RNA from different kinds of samples, e.g. formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, fresh frozen tissue, serum, plasma and whole blood – followed by relevant quality assurance procedures

Optimise procedures for implanting patient tumour cells into alveoli tissue models

Plan and do experiments to assess effects of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in patient-derived tissue models

Prepare biological samples for single cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA and DNA sequencing

Participate in analysing next generation sequencing data

Interpret results, especially with respect to clinical relevance

Present, and publish results

Required selection criteria

The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master's degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in molecular or cell biology, molecular medicine, biotechnology or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

Master's students are encouraged to apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before August 1, 2023

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The appointment is to be made in accordance with 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

Documented experience with laboratory work and research activities listed under duties of the position

Good written and oral English language skills

Preferred selection criteria

Experience with human cell culture

Experience with wet-lab analyses of RNA

Experience with next generation sequencing

Experience with clinically relevant cancer research

Experience with data analyses and visualization in statistical software such as R

Personal characteristics

Ability to work independently and with scientific, experimental, or technological creativity

Motivated and excellent team player with positive attitude and with high ambitions on behalf of yourself and the group

Inquisitive with ambitions of acquiring new knowledge and skills

Ability to adjust approaches to overcome setbacks or solve challenges

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

We offer

exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment

an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues

favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 501 200 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 and Health Sciences within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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.

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

About the application

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 your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

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.

The application must include:

A cover letter summarizing your research interests, accomplishments, and motivation for applying to this position.

CV, certificates and diplomas

Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees.

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.

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.

General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees' needs.

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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.

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.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Bjørn Henning Grønberg, telephone +47 47 29 78 78, email [email protected] or Professor Pål Sætrom, telephone +47 98 20 38 74, email [email protected] If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Vebjørn F. Andreassen, email [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: 15.3.23

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

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 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.

Deadline

15th March 2023

Employer

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Municipality

Trondheim

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Duration

Project

Place of service