Phd-Position At The Department Of Biomedicine

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The Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, is offering a full-time PhD-position for a duration of three (3) years.

The position is part of the project “Delineating adaptive responses in human brain tumors", funded by the University of Bergen in collaboration with The Norwegian Cancer Society and private donations.

This project explores a novel theory on tumor adaptation to microenvironmental and therapeutic pressures, focusing on plasma membrane alterations in tumor cells. Unlike normal cells, tumor cell membranes exhibit differences in lipid composition, fluidity, surface receptors, and electrochemical properties, largely regulated by scramblases. These Ca2+-activated proteins enable bidirectional phospholipid translocation, disrupting membrane asymmetry.

Tumor cells show altered scramblase expression compared to normal cells. We hypothesize that increased and dynamic scramblase activity drives adaptive changes in membrane composition, enhancing tumor survival under environmental and therapeutic stress. Focusing on glioblastoma (GBM), this project aims to quantify scramblase expression, investigate activation mechanisms, and use CRISPR/Cas9 to inhibit scramblase activity, potentially increasing tumor sensitivity to therapies. This research introduces an unexplored therapeutic target in cancer.

• Determine the expression of scramblases (PLSCR1, TMEM16F, Xkr8) using highly standardised GBM stem cell models.
• Visualize selected scramblases in neurons and astrocytes in the presence of invading GBM cells, using an organotypic co-culture assay.
• CRISPR/Cas9 knockdown of candidate scramblases.
• Determine inhibition of adaptive responses in vitro

Determine if scramblase knockdown sensitizes the tumor cells to therapeutic insult

• The applicant must possess a Master`s degree or an equivalent in biomedicine with prior experience in translational cancer research.
• The applicant is required to document that the degree corresponds to the profile of the advertised position.
• Experience from relevant experience in research on malignant brain tumors is a requirement.
• The successful PhD candidate must have experience in cell culture work, including growth and passaging of cells, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis assays.
• The successful candidate should show experience with cancer stem-like cells and stem cell characterization.
• The PhD candidate should master molecular cloning and transfection, qPCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, RNA interference, RNA isolation and cDNA generation.
• The candidate should master imaging techniques such as confocal microscopy.
• The candidate should have experience in animal work, especially mouse handling, including various injection and gavage techniques.
• Experience in small animal imaging (IVIS, PET/CT, MRI) is advantageous.
• The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work independently and in a structured manner, while also being capable of effective collaboration with others.
• Profiency in oral and written English is required, see documentation requirements for further details.

The applicant’s personal suitability for the position is a significant factor in the evaluation.

Applicants whose educational qualifications are from countries other than Norway must provide a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original documents are not in any of these languages. It is also required that the applicant submit a review from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) to verify whether the education in question (bachelor and master's degree) is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see https://hkdir.no/en/ for more information about HK-dir’s general recognition. The review process by HK-dir may take some time. Therefore, please submit your application to HK-dir as soon as you decide to apply for the position. If you do not receive a response within the application deadline, you must include documentation from HK-dir confirming receipt of your application. Please note that the automatic recognition offered by HK-dir insufficient and will not be accepted as basis for admission to the PhD programme. Applicants with education from a Nordic country or those with a medical degree from the EEA area and a license to practice medicine in Norway are exempt from the requirement for HK-dir assessment. For more information please refer to the Admission requirements at the Faculty of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine | UiB

Additionally, please review the documentation requirements for language qualifications: http://www.uib.no/en/med/115526/english-language-requirements-phd-admission

Organized research training (PhD program):

The selected candidate will be required to enrol in the University of Bergen’s approved PhD programme, aiming to complete the degree within three years. Admission to the organized research training (PhD program) at the Faculty is essential for this position.

Application for admission to the PhD programme, including a project plan outline for the training plan, must be submitted no later than three months after the date of commencement.

PhD-positions are fixed-term appointments. Candidates cannot be employed in a PhD position for more than one fixed-term period at the same institution, nor have held a similar position at any institution within the region.

• Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
• Salary NOK 560 000 (code 1017) in the state salary scale. For applicants with at least one year of employment in a position as a General Practitioner or Dentist, salary NOK 575 000. Medical specialist starts on salary NOK 595 000.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

• A brief account of the applicant`s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts of grades
• Applicants whose educational qualifications are from countries other than Norway must provide a certified translation of their diploma and transcript of grades into English or a Scandinavian language if the original documents are not in any of these languages. Additionally, applicants are required to submit a review from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) to verify whether their education (bachelor’s and master’s degrees) is of a scope and level that corresponds to a Norwegian master’s degree. For more information about HK-dir’s general recognition process, please see: https://hkdir.no/en/. The review process by HK-dir may take some time. Therefore, please submit your application to HK-dir as soon as you decide to apply for the position. If you do not receive a response within the application deadline, you must include documentation from HK-dir confirming receipt of your application.
• Documentation of language skills (English)
• Complete list of publications and scientific work you want to be evaluated
• Any publication in your name
• Two references (name and contact information)

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting: Prof. Frits Thorsen e-mail: frits.thorsen@uib.no. phone: +47 957 49 681

UiB must follow Norway’s export control regulations when processing applications for this position

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.

There are five departments and eight centres at Faculty of Medicine.