Job description

Applications are invited for a 3 years PhD-research Fellowship in neuroscience based at the Department of Molecular Medicine (Anatomy) University of Oslo (UiO), Norway.

The Research fellowship is funded by UiO and will be linked to the project “Aquaporin water channels in health and disease” led by Professor Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam.

More about the position 

The fellowship period is 3 years and is devoted to carrying out a project on the impact of a mutation in the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels in the brain. Aquaporins are channel-forming membrane proteins expressed throughout the body. AQP4 is the predominant brain aquaporin, mainly expressed in astrocytes. We have previously shown that AQP4 is involved in brain edema formation following stroke and hyponatremia. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that AQP4 is involved in neuroinflammation and that mislocalization of AQP4 is a common denominator of several neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the mechanisms by which AQP4 is involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders remains unknown. In this project we will use transgenic mice, including one with a mutation in AQP4, and a variety of molecular biological and imaging techniques to answer this question. 

The research fellow must take part in the faculty’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the set fellowship period. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. 

The applicant must, in collaboration with her/his supervisor, within 3 months after employment, have worked out a complete project description to be attached to the application for admission to the doctoral program. For more information, please see our web site: https://www.med.uio.no/forskning/phd/

 Qualification requirements

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree (120 ECTS) in life sciences or similar, minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent. The master’s degree must include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Extensive hands-on experience with at least one of the following experimental techniques: molecular biology (RNA, DNA work, qPCR), Western blotting, immunohistochemistry
• Candidates with prior knowledge about neuroscience and/or experience of working with laboratory animals, preparation of cell cultures or sectioning will be prioritized

Personal skills

The following personal skills will be considered beneficial during evaluation of applications:

• Highly motivated candidate
• Ability to work with accuracy and precision
• Good problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and as integrated member of interdisciplinary teams
• Good communication skills including interpersonal and teaching abilities

We offer

• Salary NOK 536 200 – 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities
• For culture and outdoor activities attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications and academic works
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s prior laboratory experience, and academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

General information

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian),  Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.