Dept of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital - The Norwegian Radium Hospital


Oslo

Nikolai Engedal

Seniorforsker

Johannes Eivind Hovig

Enhetsleder

<p><strong>About the position</strong></p><p>A 2-year Postdoctoral fellow/Researcher position is available in the “Autophagy in Cancer” Team headed by Dr. Nikolai Engedal at the Department of Tumor Biology (<a href="http://www.ous-research.no/engedal" rel="nofollow">www.ous-research.no/engedal</a>).</p><p>We are seeking an ambitious, curious and dedicated scientist and team player with strong interests in autophagy, metabolism, and tumor cell biology.</p><p>The position is part of a project called “AUTOcope”, which is funded by the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority. The project aims to understand the role of autophagy in the crosstalk between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), with a particular focus on metabolic rewiring and cellular coping with tumor microenvironment stress. A summary of the project can be found here: <a href="https://forskningsprosjekter.ihelse.net/prosjekt/2024072" rel="nofollow">https://forskningsprosjekter.ihelse.net/prosjekt/2024072</a>.</p><p>The postdoctoral fellow/researcher will work in collaboration with team participants within the group, core facilities, and external project partners.<br /></p><p><em>Oslo University Hospital is the largest hospital in Scandinavia, and the Institute for Cancer Research the largest cancer research environment in Norway. A short presentation of the Institute can be viewed here (</em>youtu.be/MtcgDwqB_6Q<em>). </em><em></em></p><br />
<h3>Tasks and responsibilities</h3><ul><li><strong></strong>Culture prostate fibroblasts (normal and cancer-associated) and prostate epithelial cells (nonmalignant and malignant) in 2D and 3D and expose them to various tumor microenvironment stress-mimetics (limitation of growth factors, nutrients, oxygen, or hypoxia mimetics)</li><li>Apply functional autophagy assays to assess the effects on bulk and selective autophagic responses</li><li>Generate and utilize stable cell lines (with lentiviral vectors and lentivirus) that inducibly express various fluorescent cargo probes to monitor bulk- and different types of selective autophagy</li><li>Generate cell lines with inducible expression of shRNAs</li><li>Set up short-term ex vivo cultures of freshly obtained malignant and non-malignant human prostatic tissue, and use post-culture digestion and cell sorting to assess stromal and cancer cell autophagic responses</li><li>Use RNAi, CRISPR cell lines, and pharmacological inhibitors, and assess effects on various CAF and cancer cell traits (survival, proliferation, secretion, migration and invasion)<br /></li><li>Set up and perform cellular metabolic analyses, metabolomics, and transcriptomics </li><li>Be involved in spatial metabolomics in patient tissue in collaboration with external partners</li><li>Be involved in and analyze mouse xenograft tumors in collaboration with external partners</li><li>Analyze data, be involved in manuscript writing, supervision and teamwork, and presentation of results at project meetings, institutional seminars, and international conferences                  <strong></strong><strong></strong></li></ul><h3>Qualifications</h3><ul><li><strong></strong>PhD degree in experimental cellular and molecular biology, or similar </li><li>A strong and relevant track record </li><li>Knowledge and experience with cell culture, cell-based assays, and standard molecular cell biology techniques is essential</li><li>Knowledge and experience in metabolism, metabolic analyses, and metabolomics is highly and most desirable</li><li>Knowledge and experience in autophagy research is highly desirable</li><li>Knowledge and experience in bioinformatics, especially within metabolomics and transcriptomics, is highly desirable</li><li>Knowhow in molecular cloning, and experience in producing inducible shRNA vectors, lentiviral vectors and lentivirus is desirable</li><li>Experience in working with co-culture models (in 2D and 3D) is a plus</li><li>Previous experience in working with live tissue and enzymatic tissue digestion is a plus</li><li>Experience in mouse work and/or working with xenograft tissue is a plus</li><li>Experience and skills in supervision and teamwork is an advantage </li><li>Excellent written and verbal communication in English is required</li></ul><h3>Personal qualities</h3><ul><li><strong></strong>Able and eager to work independently and in a team</li><li>Scientifically curious and proactive, with drive and commitment to the project</li><li>Self-motivated</li><li>Collaboration-oriented and able to interact with project partners from different fields, including potential research stays in a project partner lab</li><li>Well-organized and methodical</li><li>Excellent communication skills both verbal and written<br /></li></ul><h3>We can offer</h3><ul><li>A full-time two-year position with the possibility of an extension</li><li>An ambitious and exciting research project in a stimulating scientific environment with excellent opportunities for academic development</li><li>Excellence on prostate cancer research and autophagy within the group, the Department, and neighboring Departments at the Institute. </li><li>Our group is part of the Autophagy Research Centre Targeting Cancer (ARCTIC) <a href="https://arctic-autophagy.no/groups/" rel="nofollow">https://arctic-autophagy.no/groups/</a></li><li>Modern locations with cutting-edge technologies and highly competent core facilities, including for flow cytometry and sequencing</li><li>Close proximity to the hospital pathology unit that routinely performs prostate tissue biobanking, paraffin embedding, and immunohistochemistry</li><li>A strong collaborative network</li><li>Competitive salary according to qualifications and the guidelines from the Oslo University Hospital</li><li>Favorable pension arrangements</li><li>Attractive welfare arrangements, with affordable high-quality childcare available</li></ul><p> </p><p><strong>How to apply</strong></p><p>The application should be written in English and must include:</p><ul><li>Application letter (1-2 page summary of scientific work and motivation for the position and the project)</li><li>CV (summarizing formal education and obtained degrees, positions, academic work, and other relevant activities, skills, and qualities)</li><li>List of publications (submitted manuscripts, including on bioRxiv, may be included)</li><li>Copies of educational certificates with grades</li><li>Letter(s) of recommendation (optional)</li><li>List of 2-3 reference persons (e.g. former coworkers and supervisors, stating their name, position, relation to the candidate, e-mail, and phone number)</li></ul><p> </p><p>Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.</p><p>An alternative starting date can be discussed. <strong>This position is with the possibility of an extension</strong>.</p><h3>Kontaktinformasjon</h3>Nikolai Engedal, Seniorforsker, 22 78 17 62, nikolai.engedal&#64;ncmm.uio.no <br />
Johannes Eivind Hovig, Enhetsleder, 22781778<br />
<h3>Arbeidssted</h3>Ullernchausseen 70<br />
0379 Oslo<br />
<h3>Nøkkelinformasjon:</h3>Arbeidsgiver: Oslo universitetssykehus HF<br />
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Referansenr.: 4970418366<br />
Stillingsprosent: 100%<br />
Contract<br />
Startdato: 01.09.2025<br />
Sluttdato: 31.08.2027<br />
Søknadsfrist: 06.06.2025<br />
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Postdoctoral Fellow / Researcher in Autophagy and Metabolism in Cancer