Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in Biotechnology Physics is available at the Department of Physics. The position is strongly linked to The Department of Biosciences. The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with starting date no later than 01.11.2019.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

More about the position

The position is part of the Digital Life strategic research into bio-engineered of palladium nanoparticles aiming to clarify pathways of their deposition in bacteria, developing techniques of their extraction and purification, and securing their practical use in catalysis, nanoelectronics and nanomedicine. The research is highly interdisciplinary, extending from molecular and systems biology to chemistry and physics, highly innovative and on the forefront in biological nanoscience. The experimental activity will be carried out in collaboration with ‘Centro de Instrumentacion Cientifica’ at the University of Granada, Spain; University of Birmingham, UK; CatSci Ltd, UK; GiaMag, Norway and Inven2, Norway.

The candidate will investigate structural, catalytic and magnetic properties of Pd nanoparticles produced from a solution by genetically engineered bacteria. The characterization will include measuring with specialized electron microscopy techniques size distributions of nanoparticles, their elemental composition, crystallographic properties, cellular localization and purity. It will be performed at University of Oslo and partially at the ‘Centro de Instrumentacion Cientifica’ at University of Granada, Spain, where the PhD student is expected to travel to use under the supervision one or several of the following techniques: HAADF-STEM, AFM, ESEM, FESEM.

Student should also contribute to a more extensive characterization of nanoparticles’ size, shape and composition on European Synchrotron Facilities using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS/XANES). The characterization should lead to understanding of the biochemical mechanisms of the formation of Pd nanoparticles needed for their targeted production and use in catalysis, electronic and medical applications.

Special attention will be paid to ferromagnetic properties of Pd nanoparticles. The PhD student is expected to expand the basic science knowledge on this phenomenon. This activity will be carried out with industrial partner GiaMag, Kjeller, Norway, which provides extremely strong magnets with large gradient of magnetic field. Other techniques for investigation of ferromagnetic properties of the nanoparticles will include magnetic force microscopy (MFM), magnetically sensitive scanning electron microscopy (MSSEM), Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometry, Vibrating Sample magnetometry (VSM), Faraday effect-based magneto-optical imaging (MOI) and scanning magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE).

Innovations are part of the job description. This activity will be carried out together with Inven2, Oslo, Norway. The candidate is expected to strongly contribute to it. The novel research on biologically produced Pd nanoparticles gives a lot of possibilities for the inventions.

Qualification requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Materials Science.
• Practical experience in some of the structural and magnetic characterization techniques mentioned in the job description.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Applicants are expected to have good communication skills, take initiative and be highly scientifically motivated. Enthusiastic and hardworking candidates are especially welcome to apply.

The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/application.html

Other desired qualifications include:

• Experience with acquisition and analysis of data using Matlab, Origin or Python.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD program must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position.

For more information see:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter describing in detail how applicants satisfy the qualifications requirements and would fit the job description
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency if needed (please see admission criteria)
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. 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).

Applicants of interest will normally be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

In accordance with the University of Oslo’s equal opportunities policy, we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of gender or ethnicity. The University of Oslo has a goal of recruiting more women in academic positions. Women are encouraged to apply.

Contact information

Associate Professor Pavlo Mikheenko, phone: +47 228 57471, e-mail: pavlo.mikheenko@fys.uio.no

For technical questions regarding the application system, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, +47 22 85 71 96, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio

About the University of Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.

The research at the Department of Physics covers a broad range of subfields within physics and technology: From space research to medical physics. A good proportion of the research is interdisciplinary, and conducted in close cooperation with collaborators in Norway and abroad.

Education and teaching are other essential activities. We offer a broad range of courses, and the Department is involved in several study programmes at bachelor’s and master’s level. Some of the best lecturers in Norway are amongst our employees, and we are proud of our prizewinning teaching and learning environment. The Department has 200 employees, of which 50 are permanent scientific positions. On a yearly basis 20 students complete their Ph.D. and 50 finish their M.Sc. degree.

Employer: University of Oslo
Municipality: Oslo
omfang: Fulltime
Duration: Fixed Term