Faculty of Health Sciences , Nursing and Health Promotion

Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with almost 22,000 students and over 2,500 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.

The Faculty of Health Sciences consists of five departments and offers study programmes on all levels, including PhD. The faculty has about 6000 students and nearly 600 members of staff.

Genome dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cancer Development

The Faculty of Health Sciences announces one PhD fellowship in the area of genome dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cancer development. This is an opportunity to join the cross-institutional research group HPV-SEQ with a strong international network. Our main goals are: 1) To discover HPV cancer biomarkers 2) To delineate HPV evolution 3) To develop HPV detection and characterization methods. We take advantage of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Technology to reach our goals. Read more about the group and our activities here.

The PhD degree will be affiliated to the PhD Programme in Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet. Start date is set to as soon as possible, but it will depend on the formal admission to the PhD program in Health Science at OsloMet. The research fellowship period is three years without a teaching obligation/required duties. In addition to OsloMet, the candidate will conduct work at collaborating institutions, Akershus University Hospital and The Norwegian Cancer Registry.

We are looking a candidate with personal qualifications to take our research steps ahead at the international research front and who has skills for interdisciplinary work including scientific writing, wet-lab and bioinformatics.

Area of research
The PhD candidate contribute to determine how HPV genomic diversity is related to cancer progression. Human papillomavirus infections may lead to cancer, particularly but not exclusively to that of the cervix. There is a need to better understand the link between viral genomics and carcinogenesis. Also, new tests that can determine if an HPV infection is on track to form malignant cell transformations leading to cancer are warranted. The PhD will explore mutations of the HPV genome in clinical samples using sequencing and bioinformatics followed by clinical and evolutionary interpretation.

Main duties of the position

  • validate a HPV genotyping protocol for cytology and biopsies using sequencing
  • sequence and analyse HPV genomes in clinical samples and cell lines at the National HPV reference laboratory (Ahus) and OsloMet
  • establish new protocols for several HPV types
  • analyse sequencing data at the Cancer Registry Norway
  • write manuscripts and PhD thesis

We are looking for applicants who have

  • master’s degree – biology or biomedical laboratory science
  • proficiency in both written and spoken English. Applicants from countries where English is not the first language must present an official language test report (applicants from the Nordic countries are exempt from this requirement). The following tests qualify as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:
    • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
    • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test is accepted)
    • CAE/CPE: Grade B or A

It is an advantage if you also have

  • interdisciplinary research experience
  • some operational command of bioinformatics and biostatistics

Prerequisites

  • Admission to the PhD program in Health Science. In order to obtain admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Health Sciences, applicants must have B or better on their Master's thesis and an average grade corresponding to B or better on the Master's degree. In special cases, applicants with grade C may be considered for admission. For more information on the criteria, please see here.
  • Final project plan for the fellowship period is required to be completed and accepted within 3 months after enrolment.

We are looking for applicants who

  • are excellent team players
  • are ambitious, curious and highly motivated
  • have good organizational skills

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavors to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have experienced periods where you have not been in work, education or training.

We can offer you

  • research experience at the international research front
  • an exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
  • opportunities for professional development in Norwegian and international research institutions with expert supervision
  • beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian State Pension Fund
  • good employee welfare arrangements
  • free Norwegian classes to employees and their partners
  • working location in downtown Oslo with multiple cultural offers

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway.

The salary for the position is in accordance with the Basic Collective Agreement for state employees and OsloMet’s pay policy for position code 1017 (research fellow), salary grade 54, i.e. an initial salary of NOK 479,600 the first year.

Other information

If you would like more information about the positon, feel free to contact:

  • Associate professor OsloMet, Ole Herman Ambur, +47 40077747, olam@oslomet.no
  • Director HPV reference laboratory Ahus, Irene K. Christiansen, +47 45048585, irene.kraus.christiansen@ahus.no
  • Senior research fellow Cancer Registry of Norway, Trine B. Rounge, +47 99604304, Trine.Rounge@kreftregisteret.no

If you have any problem uploading documents, please contact soca@oslomet.no.

For questions concerning admission to the PhD programme, contact phd-hv@oslomet.no.

Application
If you wish to apply for the position, please apply electronically by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.

In order to be considered for the position you must upload the following documents together with your online application by the final date for the application:

  • CV and all pages of certificates/diplomas. The certificates/diplomas must include ECTS grades (A–F). Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the degree-conferring institution. Education taken abroad should preferably be recognised in advance by NOKUT, and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed.

  • your master's degree/second degree thesis (and any other scholarly work that you want us to take into consideration)
  • a list of your publications
  • names and contact details of at least 2 references

All the documents must be in either English or a Scandinavian language. Any translations must be authorized by government. Originals must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. The application must state your reasons for applying to the project and what makes you particularly qualified to carry out this PhD work.

Deadline for applications: 25. October 2020

Ref.: 20/08983

Type of employment FELLOW
Contract type Full time
First day of employment As soon as possible
Salary NOK 479 600
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Oslo
County Oslo
Country Norway
Reference number 20/08983
Contact
  • Ole Herman Ambur, +47 40077747
  • Irene K. Christiansen, +47 45048585
  • Trine B. Rounge, +47 99604304
Published 07.Oct.2020
Last application date 25.Oct.2020 11:59 PM CEST

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