Postdoctoral Fellowship/Researcher

We seek a highly motivated scientist for a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship position or researcher position (post-postdoc position) in a multidisciplinary team at the KG Jebsen Centre for B-cell malignancies, Department of Immunology at Oslo University Hospital (OUH)-Rikshospitalet.

The successful applicant will use high-dimensionality analyses of cells and advanced serum proteomics to define mechanisms and actionable targets in autoimmune and immune mediated bleeding disorders that have potentially life-threatening disease course, relapses and refractory disease. 

Research Framework

We have had a leading role in the field with publications in NEJM and EHJ (first to discover, characterize, treat, and name the syndrome vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT)); and in Lancet describing therapy and outcome for immune thrombocytopenia, ITP (PROLONG study). We build on established framework, multi-centre network, established core competencies and demonstrated ability to quickly translate our results into new trials: Most recently, the groundbreaking DART trial (2021-) where highly pre-treated and multi-refractory ITP patients receive daratumumab (anti-CD38). The work includes followup of severe adverse effects of vaccination and pathogenesis of autoimmune bleeding disorders. The work will be embedded in established studies on immune responses in cancer, autoimmunity and infection.

Oslo University Hospital is a workplace with great diversity. We believe this is essential to perform the tasks required of us. Therefore, we pursue diversity among our job applicants and encourage everyone to apply regardless of who you are and what background you have.

Duties and responsibilities

The successful applicant will be a part in the team describing the cellular and pro-inflammatory proteomic correlates of severe disease, remission, refractory-, and relapsed disease and define the correlates of successful therapy of autoimmune bleeding disorders. Moreover, she/he will be part of a Norwegian National vigilance by defining cellular and proteomic correlates of disease in patients that develop immune mediated coagulopathies and thromboses after RNA-based Covid-19 vaccination (on already biobanked samples). This will follow up our high-dimensionality analyses published in top journals (European Heart Journal, Lancet Rheumatology x2, Haematologica, Leukemia, Nature Communications.) We will also define cellular and serum proteomic characteristics of severe autoimmune bleeding disorders that have high frequency of refractory or relapsed severe disease. The successful applicant will stain, run samples at the mass cytometry core facility and high-end flow cytometry in a multidisciplinary team including specialization in biobanking, cellular immunity and proteomics. 

Environment

The successful applicant will work in the research group of Prof Ludvig A Munthe at the KG Jebsen Centre for B-cell malignancies headed by Munthe. The research will be situated in the Department of immunology at the Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet in close proximity to core facilities. The research will be strengthened by very active multi-dimensional research and biobanking of longitudinal patient samples (>4000 patient visits) that was awarded CEPI-funds (3.1M USD) for characterization of vaccine responses in immunosuppressed patients.

The laboratory of the KG Jebsen Centre is situated at the Department of Immunology, a 350-person department that includes the Blood Bank, several diagnostics sections, 3 Research Centers and about 120 researchers. The Munthe group is part of the newly funded Research Council of Norway CoE PRIMA (Precision immunotherapy alliance) due to start next year 2023-2033.

Job description

The position will be a part of a team using high-dimensionality analyses of cells and advanced serum proteomics to define mechanisms and actionable targets in autoimmune bleeding disorders, define cellular and proteomic correlates of novel therapy of immune thrombocytopenia, and in patients that develop immune mediated coagulopathies and thromboses after RNA-based Covid-19 vaccination.

 
Qualifications

• PhD degree related to molecular biology, cell biology or immunology
• Experience with flow cytometry/mass cytometry and multidimensional analyses
• Experience in cellular immunity of either innate or adaptive immune responses, research interests on coagulation/complement cascades will be an advantage
• Candidates that aspire to obtain research independence within the next 3-5 years will be favored and supported within the research Centre
• It will be an advantage if the applicant can start as soon as possible

The application must include:

• Application letter, including a ½ page motivation statement and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions, technical experience, routine/academic work, scientific publications and other relevant activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, PhD diploma (required) and letters of recommendation
• Names and contact details of 2-3 referees (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• Applicants will be assessed continuosly

 
Personal qualities

• We are looking for highly motivated and structured candidate
• The candidate should appreciate working in an international and interactive environment
• It will be an advantage if the applicant can start as soon as possible

 
We can offer

• A challenging and friendly working environment
• Salary EUR 60.000 – 70.000 according to qualifications
• Favorable pension arrangement
• Attractive welfare benefits

Oslo University Hospital is a highly specialized hospital in charge of extensive regional and local hospital assignments. As Scandinavia’s largest hospital, we carry out more than 1.2 million patient treatments each year. The hospital has a nationwide responsibility for a number of national and multi-regional assignments, and has several national centers of competence. Oslo University Hospital is responsible for approximately 50 percent of all medical and health care research conducted at Norwegian hospitals, and is a significant role player within the education of a large variety of health care personnel.