Researcher at the Department of Biomedicine, K.G.Jebsen Center for Parkinson's disease

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Researcher

At the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, a full-time permanent position as researcher is available, with starting date as soon as possible, and within April 1, 2025. 
The position is external financed by Stiftelse K.G. Jebsen and the University of Bergen and for the time being a part of the K.G. Jebsen Center for Parkinson's disease. The project has a temporary financing for 3 years. 

About K.G. Jebsen Center for Parkinson’s Disease   

The K.G. Jebsen Center for Parkinson’s Disease started in September 2022 and is hosted at the Department for Clinical Medicine at the University of Bergen (UiB), in collaboration with the Department of Biomedicine and the Neurology Department at Haukeland University Hospital. The Center is led by Professor Charalampos Tzoulis and its main aims are to advance the mechanistic understanding of Parkinson’ s disease and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients.  The K.G. Jebsen Center laboratory is co-localized with the Neuro-SysMed laboratory, offering a flourishing transdisciplinary scientific environment and a unique opportunity for interaction between clinical and translational science. 

About the project/work tasks:

The researcher will work in the DECODE-PD research group, led by Professor Charalampos Tzoulis, and the Biorecognition group, led by Professor Aurora Martinez, and be part of the K.G. Jebsen Center for Parkinson’s Disease. The center’s research is focused, among other things, on mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease. The recruited researcher will work on drug discovery in cell-based screening systems to identify new drugs that can counteract mitochondrial dysfunction.

Project goals and tasks:

Study physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms caused by mitochondrial dysfunction and how these mechanisms contribute to neurodegeneration.

Develop and establish new drug-screening methods to identify drugs that positively regulate mitochondrial function.

Conduct cell-based drug-screening projects focused on mitochondrial dysfunction and/or neuroprotection.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a relevant Norwegian PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.
• The applicant must have documented experience in supervising, teaching, writing manuscripts and developing grant applications. 
• The successful applicant must have previous experience in a cell lab.
• Must have documented expertise with high-throughput screening and drug discovery.
• Must have documented expertise with cell-based screening methods.
• The candidate must also have documented expertise with cell experiments in microplates, including live-cell imaging, high-context imaging, and in-cell western.
• Must have documented expertise with various methods for measuring mitochondrial function in cell models. 
• Good knowledge of Parkinson’s disease, the dopaminergic signaling system in the body, and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases will be an advantage. 
• The applicant must be motivated and responsible, and also have a great work capacity and enthusiasm for research
• Personal skills and the applicant’s personal suitability for the position, including abilities to work independently and cooperate well within a research group is a significant factor in the evaluation.
• Experience with international collaboration is an advantage. 
• Communication and dissemination experience will be positively emphasized. 
• The candidate must be fluent in written and oral English, and it is an advantage if the candidate can write and communicate research in Norwegian.
• The applicant must be able to start within April 1, 2025.

We can offer:

• A good and challenging work environment in research front of Parkinson's disease.
• Salary NOK 635 400 (code 1109, pay grade 65), specialist NOK 657 300 (code 1109, pay grade 67) gross p.a. for a full-time position. In the case of a highly qualified applicant, a higher salary may be considered.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Good welfare benefits.

Your application must include:

• A brief letter of application stating your motivation for the position, why you are applying and why this position is perfect for you.
• An overview of your education and work experience (CV).
• Witnessed copies of diplomas and relevant certificates (applicants with education from other countries than Norway must enclose diplomas in both the original language and authorized translations).
• Publications and academic work (max 10 in PDF) and a list of these.
• Your PhD thesis (in PDF).
• Two references (name and contact information).

It is very important that each of the scholarly works on which the committee should place special emphasis, is attached in its entirety.

The application and any attachments along with certified translations in English or another Scandinavian language must be uploaded to JobbNorge.

The following premise forms the basis for the post as research scientist:

• The researcher will be a member of the research group of which the topic/project belongs to.
• The salary shall if possible be 100 % covered by external financing.
• The researcher shall actively contribute to attract external funding to the research project, both for her/his own position and other positions, from the Research Council of Norway, EU and other sources.
• The researcher is expected to have her/his research activity financed by the project of the researcher and the projects of the associated research group.
• The Head of Department may allocate work for the Researcher related to specific research projects.
• The researcher may participate in committee work and other administrative tasks within the University of Bergen.
• The researcher has no teaching duties, but is expected to supervise master students and PhD candidates when this is a natural part of the research activity of the research group. 
• The researcher may apply for competence promotion according to the regulations for promotions.
• The basis for the position ceases if no further project funding and new law on state officials etc. on dismissal and preferential rights will be applied to permanent employees.

General information:

Further information about the position can be obtained from: Research and Innovation Coordinator, Yamila Torres Cleuren, yamila.cleuren@uib.no, +47 55585431

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

University of Bergen must follow Norway’s export control regulations when processing applications for this position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.For further information about the recruitment process, click here.