PhD Candidate in molecular cell biology and microbiology at IKOM

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About the position

We are recruiting a PhD candidate to one project which is part of four closely coordinated PhD projects in the NTNU interdisciplinary research project “Preparedness and Response to AMR, the silent pandemic” led by Professor Marit Otterlei, Department of Clinical and Molecular medicine (IKOM), and Professor Heidrun Åm, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Department for Sociology and Political Science (ISS).

As the four projects are closely integrated PhD projects the candidates will have a unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experts beyond the scope of their own primary research projects.

About the project

PhD project 1: New antimicrobial peptides for use as single agents and in combinations builds on data indicating that human plasma represents a reservoir of novel naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides. Some of these peptides display potent antibacterial activity on their own and/or enhance the activity of existing antibiotics. In addition, these antimicrobial peptides may provide a valuable starting point for identifying previously unknown bacterial targets and vulnerabilities. The PhD 1 candidate will participate in identifying and characterizing novel antimicrobial peptides building on previous successful screening efforts. The project will include elucidation of their mechanisms of action and bacterial targets, optimization of promising peptide candidates, and evaluation of their antibacterial activity, alone and in combination with antibiotics, against clinical antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) isolates.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Molecular Cell biology and microbiology or equivalent. Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis
• Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position and no later than January 2027 
• You must have a strong and relevant 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 academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works.
• Good written and oral English language skills

Preferred selection criteria

• The candidate should have a strong background in biochemistry, molecular cell biology, and microbiology. 
• Prior experience with bacterial cultures and microbiological assays, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and time-kill assays, is desirable. 
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and viability assays, as well as analysis of large datasets, particularly proteomic and genomic data, will be considered an advantage. 
• The PhD candidate will work closely with the PhD project 2 on identification of mode of action and target (PhD project 2: Emerging Technologies for Characterization of Mode of Action, Activity, and Optimal Combinations, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science). The position therefore requires strong collaborative, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Work independently
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with collaborators on the project as well as other professionals 
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback 
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)  
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

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 580 000,-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 4 years (3 years the doctoral work in addition to up to 1 year of career promotion work). 

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Medicine and Health Sciences within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

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 professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

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.

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) 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 and diplomas upon request.

The application must include: 

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV 
• Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• 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 work 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).

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 Marit Otterlei (professor), email Marit.Otterlei@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Vebjørn F. Andreassen, e-mail: vebjorn.andreassen@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 20.11.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

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The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.