Join our team to understand the genes underlying inflammatory liver diseases!

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD research fellowship in disease genetics and liver immunology at the Norwegian PSC Research Center (NoPSC) and the Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet. The fellowship is funded by the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority (Helse Sør-Øst).

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease with no effective treatments, standing as the leading indication for liver transplantation in Nordic countries. NoPSC is a world-leading research center for PSC, counting 35-40 employees from all over the world, covering all aspects of PSC-related research, from basic genomic and experimental studies to clinical research and clinical trials (https://ous-research.no/nopsc/).

In our previous studies, we have discovered most of the known disease genes associated with PSC in both sporadic and familial conditions. After 10 years’ experience working on individual genes, we are now ready for an ambitious plan to understand the functional network of all identified disease genes in one project through cutting-edge multi-omics technologies and AI-powered tools. The project aims to systemically integrate PSC genetics and biology, revealing the full immunopathogenic network in the diseased liver. The work will be conducted in the experimental group at NoPSC, led by Professor Espen Melum, equipped with relevant techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, multiplexed imaging, 3D organoid culture and high-dimensional flow cytometry.

We seek a highly motivated and creative co-worker to join this exciting project. The successful candidate must be admitted to the PhD program at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo with Researcher Xiaojun Jiang as main supervisor and Professor Espen Melum as co-supervisor. The research fellow 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.

Kvalifikasjoner:

• Applicants must be a cand.med/MD or hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in immunology, cell biology, or related fields.
  
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
  
• Experience with histology, immune imaging, cell culture and flow cytometry
  
• Experience or willingness to be trained with big data analysis using R
  
• Experience with mouse experiments (Felasa C certificate) is an advantage

Personlige egenskaper:

• In the assessment of applicants, the committee will focus on the candidate’s scientific and personal abilities to accomplish both the research education and the research project, including:
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position
  
• Well organized with high working capacity and productivity
  
• Excellent team working skills
  
• Strong motivation for a career in science

Vi tilbyr:

• A stimulating and friendly working environment located at Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet.
  
• 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.

Start date: 01.11.2025

 

How to apply

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (Webcruiter), please follow the link, and must include:

• Cover letter statement of motivation and research interests
  
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
  
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
  
• If necessary, documentation of English proficiency
  
• A complete list of publications and academic works
  
• 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)
  
• Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).