PhD Candidate in molecular medical microbiology at IKOM

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Job summary

NTNU in Trondheim invites applications for a PhD Candidate in molecular medical microbiology at IKOM. The project focuses on rapid diagnostics for bloodstream infection using magnetic nanobead enrichment and nucleic acid detection.

You will conduct independent doctoral research, publish results, and collaborate across NTNU's interdisciplinary AMR project. The position is four years with eligibility for PhD admission within three months.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with a major independent project (≥30 ECTS) or MD.
• Good written and oral English language skills.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
• Perform research of good quality within the described framework.
• Publish academic papers and disseminate popular science.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

Master's degree in molecular cell biology/biotechnology/microbiology or MD

Job description

PhD Candidate in molecular medical microbiology at IKOM

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Stillingstittel PhD Candidate in molecular medical microbiology at IKOM

NTNU is a broad-based university with atechnical-scientific profile and a focusin professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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

Video: We are recruiting a PhD candidate to one project which is part of four closely coordinated PhD projects in the NTNU interdisciplinary research project “ Preparedness and Response to AMR, the silent pandemic” led by Professor Marit Otterlei, Department of Clinical and Molecular medicine ( IKOM ),and Professor Heidrun Åm, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Department for Sociology and Political Science ( ISS ).

As the four projects are closely integrated PhD projects, the candidates will have a unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experts beyond the scope of their own primary research projects.

About the project

PhD project 3:Emerging technologies enabling rapid precision diagnostics of severe infection

Bloodstream infection (BSI) and sepsis are severe infections with high mortality. Current methods for diagnosis of BSI rely largely on blood culture, which takes days and may delay effective treatment. The aim of this project is to develop a method for rapid and accurate identification of bacteria and yeast causing BSI, where delayed diagnosis may result in inadequate antimicrobial therapy and poor clinical outcome. The PhD candidate will develop and optimize a method for magnetic nanobead-based enrichment of bacterial and yeast pathogens directly from whole blood, combined with rapid nucleic acid extraction and sensitive molecular and mass spectrometry-based detection methods. The project will address challenges related to low pathogen concentrations and host-derived background interference and aims to establish an integrated diagnostic platform enabling faster and more accurate pathogen diagnosis in patients with BSI. The PhD candidate will be working closely with researchers and students in the research group and collaborate with the other PhDcandidates within the interdisciplinary main project “Preparedness and Response to AMR, the silent pandemic”.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Perform research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Molecular Cell biology, biotechnology, microbiology, or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis. Alternatively, you must hold a medical degree (MD). If you hold a medical degree from abroad, it must have a scope equivalent to at least that of a Norwegian medical degree.
• Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than January 2027. You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.
• Good written and oral English language skills

Preferred selection criteria

• A strong background in microbiology and molecular medicine.
• Experience in medical microbiology
• Practical experience with relevant laboratory methods, including bacterial culture, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, mass spectrometry, and diagnostic assay development.
• Experience with, or documented interest in, nanotechnology or nanomaterials in biomedical applications.
• Experience from interdisciplinary research projects.
• Good written and oral proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
• Strong collaborative, communication and interpersonal skills.

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

• Work independently
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with collaborators on the project as well as other professionals
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 4 years (3 years the doctoral work in addition to up to 1 year of career promotion work).

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Medicine and Health Sciences within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act , and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt 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 exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Jan Egil Afset (professor), email [e-mail] . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Vebjørn F. Andreassen, e-mail: [e-mail] .

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.
The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech 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.

Om bedriften

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.
The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM):
The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM) is NTNU’s largest department, with 450 employees. Our research and teaching help to improve treatment and health.IKOM has expertise in basic, clinical and translational research within broad disciplinary areas. We study children’s and women’s health, cancers, blood disorders and infectious diseases, gastroenterology, inflammation, metabolic disorders, laboratory sciences and medical ethics. The Department offers teaching in medicine at master’s and PhD level. We also offer continuing education for employees in the health services.

PhD Candidate in molecular cell biology and microbiology

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology