PhD Fellow in Translational Vascular Research – Plasma Biomarkers for CVD Risk Prediction

The position

A PhD position is available at the Department of Clinical Medicine (IKM), Faculty of Health Sciences in the Translational Vascular Research group working on the project ´Characterisation of plasma biomarkers for cardiovascular disease risk prediction´.

The Translational Vascular Research group includes both basic scientists and clinicians. We perform research spanning across disciplines, from the analysis of patient samples to laboratory based investigation of vascular cell behaviour. Part of our research group are based at Karolinska Institute/KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, with the opportunity for close collaborations with these institutes.

The position is for a period of four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % each year and will consist of teaching and other duties. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The project

It is estimated that around 15% of the normal ´healthy´ population between the ages of 45-65 years have asymptomatic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a response to CVD risk factors, e.g., smoking and obesity. Risk factor exposure can modify EC behaviour, leading to disease development. Currently, we lack clinical tools to measure vascular dysfunction, and have limited understanding of the role of EC in CVD. In previous work from our group, we identified endothelial derived proteins in blood plasma that were associated with CVD risk factors. We found that measurement of a panel of these proteins reflected future CVD risk, as determined by a clinical risk score.

In this project, we will analyse a replication cohort, to verify the associations identified in the original analysis. Relationships between biomarker levels and existing risk scores, and future CVD development will be investigated. Interesting biomarkers will be selected for functional investigation, using various in vitro cell based systems. Effects of biomarker proteins on cell viability, migration, angiogenesis, thrombosis development and inflammation processes, and others, will be studied.

Contact

For further information about the position and UiT, please contact Associate Professor Lynn Butler:

• phone: +4777625104
• email: lynn.m.butler@uit.no

Qualifications

Qualification with a candidate medicine, or a master’s degree in biological sciences is required. Applicants must have a grade of B or better on the master's thesis and have a grade point average of B or better for the master's degree. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis. You must document completion of your degree before commencement in the position.

Prior experience with cell culture-based laboratory projects and related molecular biology techniques, such as Western blot, qPCR, ELISA etc. is required. Prior experience with cardiovasular research projects and endothelial cell culture is beneficial, as is previous work with the analysis of patient samples and use of proteomics techniques. The candidate must be flexible and keen to work as part of a larger team.

Documented fluency in English is required, and working knowledge of Norwegian or a Scandinavian language is desirable. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma.

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant's potential to complete a research education based on the master's thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who:

• Have good collaboration skills
• Have good communication and interaction with colleagues and students
• Wants to contribute to a good working environment

As many people as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

Admission to the PhD programme 

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health Sciences and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:  

• A bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS and a master's degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS. 
• A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 30 ECTS for a master's degree of 120 ECTS. 
• A master's thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 20 ECTS for an integrated master's degree of 300 ECTS. 

UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

A detailed description of admission requirements can be found here.

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from NOKUT. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. 

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position.

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project 
• A good work environment with kind and considerate colleagues
• A large degree of independence
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund 
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 532 200 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

Application 

Your application must include: 

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV – summarising education, positions and academic work
• Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree
• Transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• 2-3 references with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline. 

General information 

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants. 

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure. 

DIVERSE INFO

Kilde: NAV stillingsannonser
https://arbeidsplassen.nav.no/stillinger/stilling/42f8a5ac-47c6-418a-9526-f56111c4eada
IMPORTAPI
https://www.jobbnorge.no/ledige-stillinger/stilling/261046