The project has noDoctoral Research Fellow in drug formulation design for new antibiotics using artificial intelligence title

The Department of Life Sciences and Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences has a vacant three-year, fixed-term position as a PhD candidate within the “Disease and Environmental Exposures” research group. 

Field of research 

A lack of effective new antibiotics is a major challenge in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Research is being conducted into new antimicrobials that could have great therapeutic potential, but the path from an active molecule to a pharmaceutical product that can be used in the treatment of patients is extremely long and challenging. Our research group focuses on, among other things, the formulation and development of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, using nanotechnology.

New antibiotics that are effective against multi-resistant infections are not being developed quickly enough to be used in the treatment of drug-resistant microbes. Drug formulation plays a critical role in the drug development process to ensure safe and effective drugs for patients, but this stage is often extremely expensive and time-intensive. The PhD position is associated with a research project called: “Intelligent nanoparticulate formulation for the development of new antibiotics,” in which we seek to examine whether the use of artificial intelligence can be a tool for the rational design of nanoparticulate formulations for new antibiotics. The project is a collaboration with the Applied Artificial Intelligence research group at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD), OsloMet, led by Professor Anis Yazidi. The successful PhD candidate will collaborate closely as part of an interdisciplinary team consisting of formulation scientists, microbiologists and computer scientists.

As a PhD candidate at OsloMet, you will have the opportunity to apply for a grant for an extended research stay abroad.

The fixed-term position has a duration of three years, and the desired start date is 01.12.2025.

Admission to the PhD programme in Health Sciences is a prerequisite for the position. The final plan for organised research training must be approved and agreed no later than three months after taking up the position.

Eligibility requirements

• Master’s degree/subject at second degree level (120 credits/ECTS) in pharmacy, biomedicine, bioinformatics or similar.
• In order to gain admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health Sciences, applicants must have achieved a grade of B or better in their master’s thesis and an average grade of B or better in their master’s degree. In exceptional cases, applicants with a grade of C may be considered. In such cases, relevant experience from applicants’ own research projects and/or scientific publications will be emphasised. Information about the criteria can be found on the admissions website.
• Excellent written and spoken English

It would be advantageous for applicants to have

• Experimental experience with nanoparticulate formulations
• Experience of statistical and/or machine learning methods
• Experience of programming
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills in Norwegian or other Scandinavian languages

Personal characteristics

• Highly motivated to conduct research in the field
• Excellent written and verbal presentation ability
• Ability to work in an accurate and interdisciplinary manner, independently and as part of a team
• Excellent analytical skills

Importance will be attached to personal suitability.

The general criteria for appointment as a PhD candidate are set out in the regulations (Regulations to the Norwegian Universities and University Colleges Act – Lovdata). 

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population in the region, and we would like to invite all qualified applicants to apply. We are working actively to further develop as an inclusive workplace and will adapt the workplace as required. We also welcome applications from people who have had periods in which they were not in employment, education or training.

What we offer

• an exciting training position at Norway’s third-largest university
• access to further professional development in a creative academic and research environment
• participation in a stimulating, interdisciplinary research group with the opportunity to participate in international collaborations
• an evolving workplace
• excellent borrowing and pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• excellent welfare schemes

The position is remunerated in accordance with the Norwegian State Salary Scale and OsloMet’s salary policy under code 1017 as a PhD candidate, with a starting salary of NOK 532,200 per annum.

The application process

If you would like to apply for this position, you must submit an electronic application. Start by clicking on the “Apply for position” button. All applicants will be assessed by a sorting committee at the Faculty.

You must upload the following documents before the application deadline: 

• your application, CV and copies of all pages of degree certificates, transcripts and diplomas
• education from abroad should be approved in advance and the approval letter should be enclosed. Information can be found via this link: Recognition of foreign education – jobb i Norge | HK-dir
• master’s thesis/second degree thesis
• any scientific works or links to full articles
• list of any publications or presentations at international seminars/conferences
• Applicants from countries in which English is not the first language must be able to demonstrate proficiency through the results of an official language test. The following applicants are exempt from this language criterion:
  • o Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
  • o Applicants who have completed at least one year of study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States.
  • o Applicants who hold an International Baccalaureate (IB) certificate.

The following tests meet this documentation criterion: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The minimum scores are:

• TOEFL: 600 (paper test), 92 (online test)
• IELTS: 6.5, with no sections lower than 5.5 (only academic IELTS test accepted)

We only process applications submitted via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded in order for your application to be processed. Documents must be submitted in English or a Scandinavian language. Any translations must be certified. Original versions must be presented if you are invited to attend an interview. OsloMet will verify documents to ensure that all candidates are subject to a proper evaluation and fair competition. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

The appointment process will adhere to the principles set out in the Norwegian Civil Service Act (lovdata.no) and legislation governing the export of knowledge, technology and services. Background checks may be carried out in order to verify information provided in CVs and submitted documents. Background checks will not be carried out without the applicant’s consent, and relevant applicants will receive further information about the process.

OsloMet has endorsed the principles set out in the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and the institution is committed to adhering to the recommendations therein.

Further information

If you would like further information about the position, please contact:

• Associate Professor Sanko Nguyen, Tel.: +47 95888827, Email: sankon@oslomet.no
• Professor Colin Charnock, Tel.: +47 99274267, Email: colin.charnock@oslomet.no

Application deadline: 11 August 2025

Ref: 25/07919