About the position
Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.
A PhD position in the field of cancer cell biology/biotechnology is available in the research group of Assoc. Prof. Kai Sandvold Beckwith at the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, NTNU. The appointment has a duration of 3 years starting from summer/fall of 2025.
About the project
Multiple myeloma is a cancer characterized by hyperproliferation of antibody-producing cells in the bone marrow. Despite recent advances in treatments and patient survival, treatment resistance inevitably develops, and multiple myeloma remains incurable. Novel approaches to provide an accurate prognosis, guide treatment choices and develop new medications are all urgently needed.
The Beckwith group develops new microscopy-based approaches to deeply characterize the complex biology of individual human cells. The aim of this interdisciplinary project is developing high throughput, multiplexed fluorescence microscopy approaches to study drug responses in multiple myeloma patient samples. The project will be carried out in an active and collaborative environment working on both clinical and translational multiple myeloma research at NTNU and St. Olav’s University Hospital. The position is funded by the Central Norway Regional Health Authority.
For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.
Duties of the position
These include but are not limited to:
- Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
- Developing a hypothesis into a tractable research question and experimentally testing it
- Assembling the tools, reagents and know-how required to complete the research project
- Keeping up-to-date on relevant literature in the field
- Presenting and disseminating results from the project and drafting manuscripts
Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.
Required selection criteria
- You must have an academically relevant background within cell biology, biophysics, molecular biology, biotechnology or equivalent, including laboratory experience.
- You must have a Master’s degree in one of the above areas or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master’s level. Master’s students can apply, but the master’s degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than August 2025.
- You must have a strong 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 grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
- You must meet the requirements for admission to the Faculty of Natural Sciences Doctoral Program.
- You must demonstrate excellent oral and written presentation skills in English.
PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.
If you cannot document skills in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at level A2 upon employment, you must complete Norwegian courses corresponding to at least 15 credits before the end of the employment period. NTNU will facilitate this.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations for the Universities and Colleges Act (university and colleges regulations) and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.
Preferred selection criteria
- Experience and interest in advanced light microscopy
- Experience and interest in image analysis and bioinformatics
- Coding experience
- Experimental experience in molecular and cell biology
- Oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian/Scandinavian equivalent level A2
Personal characteristics
The successful applicant is a highly motivated, ambitious and well-organized student. We are looking for a positive candidate who can think creatively and critically, and will work independently and consistently on the research project. You should also enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in learning and working as part of an international team.
We offer
- An exciting job with an important mission in society
- stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
- excellent research infrastructure and labs in the University Hospital campus
- Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
- Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
- working capital that can be used to implement the project
- mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
- training during working hours and company sports at NTNU
- As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts.
Diversity
Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population’s collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.
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.
If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.
Salary and conditions
In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 536 200,- 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 3 years. If learning Norwegian (level A2 corresponding to at least 15 credits) is to be completed before the end of the employment period, the employment period can be extended by 10 weeks after completed and documented the Norwegian course.
For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Biotechnology (PhD programme in Biotechnology – NTNU) within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.
The position is conditional on external funding by Central Norway Regional Health Authority.
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 academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.
Your immediate Line Manage will be the Head of Department.
About the application
The attachments must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.
Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates The application must include:
- A cover letter including a description of relevant experience and motivation for the position
- CV, including potential publications or other relevant research work
- A summary of the MSc thesis (one page)
- Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
- Names and contact information of three relevant referees
If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor’s and Master’s education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.
Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU’s social mission).
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 think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Assoc. Prof. Kai S. Beckwith, email: kai.beckwith@ntnu.no.
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR advisor Cecilie Skagfjord, e-mail: cecilie.skagfjord@ntnu.no.
Application deadline: 16.03.2025
