PhD Research Fellow in Molecular Microbiology (ref 290178)

University of Oslo; Norway; On-site; NOK 450,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Norway is offering a temporary PhD position focused on studying bacterial adhesins related to multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens. The successful candidate will identify bacterial adhesins in genomes, generate knockout mutants, and conduct infection assays. This opportunity allows close collaboration with both academic and industrial partners, enhancing research exposure and intersectoral training. Join us in making a significant impact on bacterial threat mitigation through innovative diagnostics and treatment targets.

Benefits

Internship opportunities with academic and industrial partners

Access to cutting-edge research facilities

Qualifications

• Candidates should be pursuing or have completed a PhD in a related field.
• Experience in bacterial genetics and molecular biology is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Study bacterial adhesins and their interactions with host receptors.
• Identify bacterial adhesins in the genomes of ESKAPE strains.
• Generate knockout mutants and conduct infection assays.

Education

PhD in Biological Sciences or related field

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Oslo Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Norway Application Deadline 6 Jan 2026 - 23:00 (Europe/Oslo) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

StraDiVarious ( Strains,Diagnostics andVariants ) is a European-wide intersectoral doctoral training network focussed on focus on emerging bacterial threats – specifically the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium,Staphylococcus aureus,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, andEnterobacter spp) Our goal is to make a difference in the development of next-generation strain-specific rapid diagnostics, and to help find potential drug/vaccine targets.

The PhD candidate will study bacterial adhesins and their interactions with host receptors. The work centers on adhesins from Klebsiella and Enterobacter species, which are two of the ESKAPE pathogens notorious for their emerging multidrug resistance. In this project, you will help to identify bacterial adhesins in the genomes of ESKAPE strains and generate knockout mutants. Using infection assays, you will establish the importance of these adhesins in different stages of the infection process and identify host cell receptors.

The work is in close collaboration with other groups in the network interested in host cell receptors, and in anti-adhesion drug development. The position thus offers the opportunity of internships with both academic and industrial partners.