PhD fellowship in Biomedicine

The Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Life Sciences and Health, has a vacancy for a PhD fellowship in the field of biomedicine. The doctoral candidate will be affiliated with the PhD program in Health Sciences and the research group Male Reproductive Health.

Project/ Area of Research

The fellowship period is three years. The PhD candidate will work on the project entitled "Male Reproductive Disorders of Foetal origin – Development of an Organoid Model for Mechanistic Insight".

Foetal life is a critical period for testicular development. Disruptances during this developmental period can lead to male reproductive disorders such as reduced androgen production, impaired semen quality and testicular cancer in young adulthood. In recent decades, the incidence of such disorders has risen, including a global increase in testicular cancer and a possible decline in sperm production. Significant geographical differences suggest an environmental component in additional to genetic risk factors. Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is believed to contribute to environmentally induced disturbances in male reproductive health. Current knowledge largely stems from animal models that fail to fully recapitulate the complexity of human testicular development. This PhD project aims to develop an organoid model of the human foetal testis to study both normal and impaired development. The model will enable mechanistic studies into the origins of reproductive disorders using methods such as 3D culture, transcriptomics, proteomics, microscopy and CRISPR technology. The effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals will also be investigated. A detailed project description can be obtained from the contact persons.

The academic environment possesses expertise in molecular biology, developmental biology, reproductive biology, and bioinformatics. The PhD candidate will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team.

Collaborators include partners in Denmark and Australia, offering excellent opportunities for networking and mobility. A short research stay at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, is expected early in the fellowship period.

Preferred start is set to early autumn 2025.

Admission to the PhD program in Health Sciences is a prerequisite for employment in the position.

The final research education plan must be approved and formalized within three months of employment.

Qualification requirements

• Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in biomedical disciplines
• To qualify for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health Sciences, applicants must have achieved a grade of B or better on the master’s thesis and an average grade equivalent to B or better in the master’s degree. In special cases, applicants with a grade of C may be considered if they have particularly relevant experience and/or scientific publications. See the criteria for PhD programme admission for more information.
• Experience in relevant molecular and/or cell biology methods
• Laboratory experience
• Proficiency in English, written and spoken

General criteria for PhD appointments are stated in the Regulations to the Universities and University Colleges Act (Lovdata).

It is an advantage if you have

• Experience with stem cells, 3D culture, organoids
• Experience with CRISPR
• Experience with bioinformatics
• The possibility to undertake an international research stay (should be stated in the application)

Personal qualities

• Ability to work independently
• Strong analytical skills
• Good collaboration and communication skills

Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

OsloMet is committed to reflecting the diversity of the population in our region and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We make active endeavors to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.

We can offer you

• Opportunities for academic development in an interdisciplinary and international research environment
• Participation in an active research group with a strong external network
• Good pension and loan terms through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Flexible working hours and excellent welfare arrangements

The salary for the position is in accordance with the Basic Collective Agreement for state employees and OsloMets pay policy for position code 1017 PhD Fellow, with a starting salary of NOK 536,200 per year.

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway.

Application process

To apply, please use the “Apply for the position” button. Your application will be assessed by a selection committee from the faculty.

By the application deadline, you must upload the following documents:

• Application letter, CV, and copies of all pages of diplomas and transcripts
• Education taken abroad should preferably be recognised in advance and a confirmed copy of the letter of recognition should be enclosed. Follow this link for more information: Recognition of foreign education – working in Norway | HK-dir
• Master’s thesis/second degree thesis
• Any scientific publications or links to full-text articles, if relevant
• A list of conference presentations, if relevant

Only applications submitted through our electronic recruitment system will be considered. All documentation must be uploaded for your application to be evaluated. Documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be certified. Originals must be presented at any interview. OsloMet performs document inspections in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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 (Lovdata). A background check may be conducted to verify the information provided in your CV and supporting documents. A background check is not carried out without the applicant's consent, and shortlisted candidates will receive further information.

OsloMet adhered to the principles in the DORA Declaration and obliged the institution to follow the recommendations in this declaration. 

Other information

For further information about the project, please contact:

• Associate Professor Jorunn Marie Andersen, email: joran@oslomet.no, tel. +47 6723 6295
• Professor Emerit Trine B. Haugen, email: tribha@oslomet.no, tel. +47 9915 2426
• Associate Professor Viola H. Lobert, email: viola.lobert@oslomet.no, tel. +47 9885 0060
• For administrative queries, contact: Sofie Rabo Carlsen, email: soca@oslomet.no

Deadline for applications: 31. July 2025
Reference number: 25/05894