About the position

A position is available as postdoctoral researcher at the Biophysics and Medical Technology unit at the Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway. The position is within a collaborative project “Biomechanical heterogeneity of cancer cells as a parameter for high throughput detectability” acronym BioMechCanDet, between the Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland, and Dept of Physics, NTNU. The candidate will join and become part of an internationally very well recognized research environment in biophysics and integration with microdevice strategies.

We are looking for a postdoctoral candidate with expertise in microdevice fabrication and their applications in bioengineering to work on challenges related to high throughput mechanical profiling of cells and cell mimics such as hydrogel beads.

Duties of the position

The post doc position will contribute to the BioMechCanDet project with respect to design, fabrication and implementation of microdevices for high throughput mechanical profiling of custom designed hydrogel beads and cancer cells for their mechanical profiling. The interdisciplinary approach includes also implementation of fabrication process in cleanroom, establishing analysis strategies on microfluidic workstation, extends also to understanding of mechanical signatures of characterized entities as well as alignment of the obtained results with other characterization methods (e.g. atomic force microscopy). The project will be conducted in a highly collaborative approach between the two research teams, also with emphasis of knowledge interchange between the complementary research environments.

Required selection criteria

A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree within the field of biophysics or bioengineering, microfluidics with emphasis on application in biomedicine, or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

Preferred selection criteria

• Competence in microdevice design and fabrication, their integration in measurements systems and application in biomedicine and/or biophysics or a closely related area of this field is a requirement.
• Competence in the analysis strategies related to mechanical profiling of soft and/or living matter will be advantageous.
• Competence in relevant numerical modelling will be advantageous.
• Good written and oral English language skills are required.

Personal characteristics

• Actively participates in teams.
• Contributes to a supportive and friendly working environment.
• Takes initiative and excels in problem solving.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

The employment period is 3 years. The position is available from mid-autumn 2020.

Postdoctoral candidates are placed in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 542 400 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include:

• A cover letter outlining your research goals and how your experience complements the goals of the BioMechCanDet project
• Two letters of reference.
• Your CV
• Diplomas and Certificates
• A publication list including citation rates according to Web of Science. Highlight up to five of the most significant and relevant publications.
• Any other academic work you would like to be considered in the evaluation.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have questions about the position, please contact Professor Bjørn Torger Stokke, email: bjorn.stokke@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR executive officer Linda Marie Hansen, email: linda.m.hansen@ntnu.no

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 81/20 when applying.

Application deadline: 20 August 2020

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Physics

Our research and teaching are both experimental and theoretical, covering a wide range of disciplines. Our activities contribute to development of new medical technology and to finding solutions for the next generation’s communication technology, energy utilization and development of materials. The Department of Physics is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline 20th August 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Jobbnorge ID 190427