Researcher in Fish Immunology / Microscopy

Nina Holtan; Oslo; On-site; NOK 595,000 - 695,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Statens Pensjonskasse pension scheme

Good welfare schemes

Job summary

University of Oslo invites applications for a Researcher position in Fish Immunology / Microscopy within the Department of Biosciences. The project, Fish-S.H.I.E.L.D., aims to map branchial cavity immune surveillance in zebrafish and Atlantic salmon using scRNA-seq and 3D imaging.

Starting by April 2025, the role is based in Oslo and part of the Spatial Immunology & Nanomedicines group. The position emphasizes transcriptomic work, advanced microscopy, and collaboration across immunology,

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree submitted for evaluation by closing date
• Fluent oral and written English
• Experience with zebrafish and fish immunology
• Proficiency in transcriptomic analysis, specifically scRNA-seq
• Proficiency in confocal and lightsheet microscopy and image analysis

Responsibilities

• Work primarily on transcriptomic aspects using scRNA-seq and 3D high-resolution imaging
• Characterize immune cell populations and gene expression of immune functions in zebrafish and Atlantic salmon
• Utilize immunohistology, transcriptomics, antibody assays and advanced 3D microscopy techniques
• Collaborate within the Spatial Immunology & Nanomedicines group on the Fish-S.H.I.E.L.D. project

Skills

Fluent English

Zebrafish experience

scRNA-seq

Confocal microscopy

Lightsheet microscopy

Image analysis

Education

Norwegian doctoral degree in Fish Immunology / Cell Biology / Molecular Biology

Job description

About the position

We invite applications for a Researcher position at the Department of Biosciences

The position is for a period of 3 years.

Starting date no later than 01.04.2027 with a preferred starting date around the 21st of January.

Place of work is the Department of Biosciences at the Life Science Building, Forskningsparken, Oslo.

Project description

Applicants are invited to apply for a 3-years position as Researcher in Fish Immunology / Microscopy to be based at the Department of Biosciences of the University of Oslo. This role contributes to the ERC-funded starting grant project “Fish-S.H.I.E.L.D.” starting on April 1st 2025, which aims to investigate the fish branchial cavity immune surveillance system and its importance for the fish defense against infectious diseases in aquaculture.

More about the position

The successful applicant will join Julien Resseguier’s “Spatial Immunology & Nanomedicines” group and become a key member of the Comparative Immunology team at the Department of Biosciences.

The project “Fish-S.H.I.E.L.D.” builds on the recent discovery of a complex lymphoid organization in the fish branchial cavity, which includes the “Amphibranchial Lymphoid Tissues (ALT)” and the “Interbranchial Lymphoid Tissues (ILT)” in the gills, and the Nemausean Lymphoid organ (NELO), revealing the branchial cavity as an important region of the fish immune system.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adj0101 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.769901/full

The sustainability of aquaculture, important for our food security, is severely challenged by infectious diseases. Whereas the branchial cavity is particularly relevant for fish health and welfare in aquaculture, much remains to be done to understand its defense mechanisms. The main goal of the project is to characterize the newly discovered branchial cavity immune surveillance system to harness its potential against infectious diseases in aquaculture. The project objective will use the zebrafish model to 1) Characterize the gill lymphoid tissues and tonsil‑like organ. 2) Decipher the rules of antigen sampling, 3) Characterize the developmental framework. 4) Study the involvements in immune responses to infection and vaccines. This will then serve as a guide for investigations in Atlantic salmon and other fish species relevant for aquaculture.

The project will involve characterizations of immune functions using infection models and nanotechnologies, immunohistology, transcriptomics, antibody assays, and advanced 3D microscopy. For this, a lightsheet microscope dedicated to the imaging of cleared samples is being acquired, as well as a workstation for VR‑assisted image analysis. This represents an unique opportunity in Norway.

We seek a highly motivated Researcher that will be primarily involved in the transcriptomic aspects of the project and microscopy. Tasks will mainly focus on using ScRNAseq and 3D high‑resolution imaging to investigate the branchial cavity immune system with an emphasis on characterizing immune cell population and the gene expression of markers of relevant immune functions. The project will involve experiment with both zebrafish and Atlantic salmon.

What skills are important in this role?

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. 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.

Required qualifications:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Fish Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and completed defence are eligible for appointment.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Relevant experience working with zebrafish and fish immunology.
• Documented solid expertise in transcriptomic analysis, specifically Single-cell RNA sequencing.
• Proficiency in confocal microscopy, lightsheet microscopy, and image analysis.

Desired qualifications:

• The following qualifications will also count in the assessment of the applicants:
  • Fish Biology, Fish Anatomy, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Histology methods, and Statistics.
• Prior experience with Immunofluorescence, Cryosections, Whole‑mount labeling, Sample clearing, Flow cytometry, Atlantic salmon.
• A certification to perform animal experiments (e.g. Felasa), good communication/representation skills, and grant writing skills are also desirable but not required.

UiO is subject to the Security Act, which governs the organisation’s protection of security‑sensitive objects and knowledge, in addition to other relevant legislation concerning access to and handling of sensitive information. Based on this, it is a requirement that successful applicants are security‑eligible. We may use background checks as part of our recruitment process.

What are we looking for in you?

Personal skills:

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work precise in a structured manner and swiftly adapts to new tasks
• Good communication and collaboration skills
• Positive attitude and the ability to handle hectic periods

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal skills.

We can offer you

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge‑based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment.
• Good welfare schemes .
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours . A workplace with good development and career opportunities.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse , which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Researcher, position code 1109 in salary range NOK from 595 000 - to 695 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

We need different perspectives in our work

UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no .

We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues, could you be the next one?

We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.

If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps (Norwegian), we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment‑related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).

The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports. More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here . We hope you will apply for the position with us.