Associate Professor/Professor in Cancer Biology

About the positions

The vision of the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science is science and technology for better diagnostics and health care. Our strategic focus is on education of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists and our research goal is to improve diagnostics and treatment of cancer patients. Our research contributes to the development of improved diagnostics and personalized therapy based on new understanding of basic cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in tumor development. Ongoing research focus on tumor microenvironment, cell-to-cell communication, drug interactions and regulation of starvation responses (autophagy) in solid and hematological tumors.

With these two positions we are committing to strengthen our expertise within the field of cell-, molecular- and cancer biology, building a strong research environment. The candidates should focus on different aspects of cancer, complementing ongoing research at the department. The candidates are expected to establish own research groups and apply for and lead externally funded projects. We are looking for promising candidates at the associate professor level, showing good recent progression and high-quality research output. However, one of the positions may be offered as a full professorship to an established researcher showing high-quality scientific production. The last five years’ scientific merits will be emphasized.

The department is located within an active environment for research and development at the areas of the laboratories of St. Olav’s University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at NTNU, involving access to state-of-the-art core facilities for genomics, proteomics and imaging studies as well as an animal facility.

The position reports to Head of Department.

Work description

The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing a research group that investigates relevant questions within basic cell biology and molecular mechanisms for future diagnostics or treatment in personalized cancer medicine and contribute to clinical, theoretical and technological development. The candidate should seek opportunities for interaction between the fields of molecular biology, medicine and technology and strengthen the department's collaboration with clinical departments and other research groups locally, nationally and internationally.

The successful candidates will be jointly responsible for teaching activities at the Department Biomedical Laboratory Science at bachelor level within the topics anatomy, physiology, immunology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and medical laboratory technology. It is a prerequisite that the teaching at the bachelor level is conducted in Norwegian or in a Scandinavian language.  The position holder is also expected to take part in developing new courses at the bachelor and master level and in courses for continuing education within Biomedical Laboratory Science. Supervision of undergraduate students, master students and PhD candidates is a natural part of the job.

Required qualifications 

The candidate must have the qualifications required for the position of professor (§ 1-2) or associate professor (§ 1-4) in the field of cancer biology, as outlined in the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts 

• You should hold a PhD and be able to document a strong research and academic competence within cancer biology, preferably within cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cancer and cancer development, progression and therapy responses
• You have experience with analysis of biological samples and documented relevant technological competence
• You should be able to document potential to initiate, supervise and lead research and development work
• Your research must be documented and of high international quality, showing both breadth and depth. The production must indicate (associate professor), or reflect (professor), an independent line of research and show the ability to initiate independent line of research
• Your research plan must describe how the planned activities merge with and strengthen the ongoing activities at the department and its collaborators.
• Pedagogical basic competence is required. Anyone who is appointed without having formal basic qualifications in the discipline of education (formerly referred to as practical qualifications in teaching at university level) and who is unable to document equivalent qualifications is required to complete an approved course within two years of appointment. Uniped at NTNU offers qualifying courses.
• To qualify for professor level, you must additionally document:
  • The development of the quality of your own teaching and supervision of students over time
  • Broad experience as a supervisor, preferably at a master’s/PhD level
  • Participation in improving the quality of education in a professional environment
• Applicants who can demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is preferred. For applicants who do not meet this requirement, it is a prerequisite that they within three years of appointment can demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three in the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU.  

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with relevant preclinical cancer models will be emphasized
• Broad teaching experience from higher education
• Skills in a Scandinavian language

Personal qualities

Emphasis will be placed on:

• Good collaboration skills and ability to work across traditional disciplines
• Interest in teaching and good communication skills
• Good social skills
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

We offer 

• exciting and challenging 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 

Application Process

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

Salary and conditions

A position as a Professor (code 1013) or an Associate Professor (code 1011) will be remunerated according to the Basic Agreement for the Civil Service, depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into 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. 

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

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

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.

Your application must include:

• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• A teaching portfolio, in which your teaching competence is compiled and presented systematically,   (See guidelines for applicants: Documentation of teaching qualifications in applications and appointments to academic positions at NTNU)
• Academic works – published or unpublished – that you wish to be considered during assessment of your application (up to 10 items)
• A description of the scientific works you consider most relevant, which you particularly wish to be factored into the assessment
• A list of your previous works, with details on where they have been published
• A research plan: The research plan should describe how the planned activities may strengthen and benefit from the ongoing research at the department, how the planned activities can be externally funded and how it complies with the strategic visions of the department and NTNU.
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. Pedagogical skills and qualifications will also be emphasized. Our assessment of the pedagogical skills will be based on documented pedagogical material, forms of presentation in your academic works, teaching experience, PhD, and Masters supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration. The evaluation of the applicants will also emphasize successful interdisciplinary collaboration.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA. This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will be considered by an expert committee. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview, and to deliver a trial teaching session.

General information

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and 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 continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given the expert evaluation of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and is stipulated to rules of confidentiality.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Lars Gunnar Landrø, tel. +47 734 12 234/+47 958 10 779, e-mail lars.g.landro@ntnu.no.

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation. 

Application deadline: 06th of February 2023

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 Biomedical Laboratory Science 

We are responsible for the bachelor’s degree programmes for medical laboratory technologists at NTNU. We conduct research in areas relevant to the teaching we provide and to the development of medical diagnostics. We work in close cooperation with the University Hospital, St Olavs Hospital. The Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline 6th February 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime (2 positions)
Duration Permanent
Place of service