The K.G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre (
JIRC)
is a new virtual research centre funded by the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen
Foundation, the University of Oslo (UiO) and Oslo University Hospital (
OUH). It will start 2013 with funding for 4 years and the prospect of another funding period.
JIRC
has the intention to excel in inflammation research and attract funding
from additional sources. The centre comprises the research groups of 8
principal investigators and 2 co-investigators as well as several
associated clinical investigators at several departments within the UiO/
OUH Medical Campus. The research environment is very dynamic and there is extensive interaction between the groups.
JIRC currently hires highly motivated and
competitive scientists with a track record of publications in high
impact journals. Applicants must hold a PhD (or near completion) in
experimental science. The ideal candidates should have a strong
background in bioinformatics, biochemistry, molecular cell biology,
inflammation biology, in vivo imaging or experimental pathology,
according to the project descriptions below.
Project #1 Genetics of inflammatory model diseasesh with focus on the HLA region
The
HLA complex is collectively by far the
most important genetic risk factor for inflammatory diseases. The most
important loci are the genes encoding antigen presenting
HLA class I and II molecules. The project aims for in-depth and synchronized genetic characterization of the entire
HLA
complex, with a particular emphasis on refinement of the class I and
class II variability. As part of the project, we will establish a
pipeline for next generation sequencing of the entire
HLA region including the
HLA
class I and class II genes. The applicant must have extensive
bioinformatic and statistical research experience, and preferably also
experience from next generation sequence data management. Across
multiple immune mediated conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis,
inflammatory bowel disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, type 1
diabetes), the
HLA factors determined in the
project will be explored in the context of other genetic and non-genetic
risk factors in collaboration with other researchers within
JIRC. Inquiries regarding the position can be directed to professor Benedicte A. Lie (
b.a.lie@medisin.uio.no) or professor Tom H. Karlsen (
t.h.karlsen@medisin.uio.no).
Project #2 Immunological exploration of a familial syndrome of sclerosing cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is an immune-mediated liver disease
most often occurring in the context of inflammatory bowel disease. In an
exome-sequencing study of a Swedish family with multiple affected
individuals we have identified a novel, missense mutation in a highly
conserved region of a key immune regulatory gene. In collaboration with
several international experts and local PI’s we aim to explore the
functional consequences of this mutation by using several knockout mouse
models, in vitro model systems and studies using samples from the
affected patients. The post doc candidate should have a strong
background in immunology and/or experimental medicine. Applicants with
experience from work in murine model systems will be preferred.
Inquiries regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Espen Melum (
espen.melum@medisin.uio.no) or professor Tom H. Karlsen (
t.h.karlsen@medisin.uio.no).
Project #3 Inflammation and regulation of fibrosis development in
cardiac injury and stress – Role of complement system and NLRP3
inflammasome activation
Inflammatory processes are necessary for initiating proper tissue
repair and central in the healing of a myocardial infarction, where dead
tissue is replaced by fibrotic tissue. However, excessive fibrosis
leads to a stiffer heart with detrimental effects on function. Using
both clinical and experimental approaches, this project aims to examine
the role of the complement system and its interaction with toll-like
receptors and the NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiac injury and stress on
myocardial inflammation and development of different forms of fibrosis.
The project will be performed in collaboration with several PIs/CoPIs of
the centre. Inquiries regarding the position can be directed to
researcher Arne Yndestad (
arne.yndestad@rr-research.no), professor Pål Aukrust (
paukrust@ous-hf.no) or professor Tom Eirik Mollnes (
t.e.mollnes@medisin.uio.no).
Project #4 Mechanisms of fibrosis development i kidney allografts
Long-term graft survival is threatened by the development of
fibrosis. Post-transplant biopsies will be subject to transcriptome
profiling and comparative analyses in rodent kidney fibrosis models,
cell cultures and analysis of clinical lesions. Parallel genome-wide
association studies in patients stratified according to fibrosis
development will be another entry port to understand these events. The
project will be performed in a collaboration with several PIs/CoPIs of
the centre as well as nephrologists responsible for recruitment of
patients and tissue sampling. Inquiries regarding the position can be
directed to professor Guttorm Haraldsen (
gharalds@rr-research.no).
Project #5 Identification of autoantigens in autoimmune disease
Chronic inflammation is often associated with a break of tolerance to
self. Identification of autoantigens that are recognized by B cells and
T cells will provide new insight in disease mechanisms. We will
produce a new generation of protein arrays with exceptional throughput
and sensitivity. With this tool the post doc we are seeking will screen
serum from patients with inflammatory diseases for autoantibodies and
subsequently use new technology to identify T cell epitopes in potential
targets. Experience from computational biology / bioinformatics is
preferable. The project occurs in collaboration with several CoPIs at
Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet and the University of Arizona,
which has one of the largest available collections of cDNAs encoding
full-length human proteins. Candidates with a strong background in
immunology and experience in flow cytometry, protein chemistry or
development of immunoassays are encouraged to apply.Inquiries regarding
the position can be directed to Professor Johanna Olweus (
johanna.olweus@medisin.uio.no) Tom H. Karlsen (
t.h.karlsen@medisin.uio.no).
Project #6 Bi-directional interactions of the host and gut microbiota in atherosclerosis and chronic HIV
The role of microbiota in relation to systemic inflammation and
metabolic disturbances is an emerging area of research. The project will
study these mechanisms in
HIV-infected
patients and in patients with atherosclerotic disorders. The project
will have a clinical approach that will focus on comparative analyses of
microbiota in relation to parameters of systemic inflammatory and
metabolic parameters in different disease categories as well as clinical
intervention studies that could modulate the microbiota composition.
The project will have a clinical profile and the post-doc must therefore
be a MD. She/he will be leading these studies in close collaboration
with the relevant Departments at Oslo University Hospital. The project
will be performed in collaboration with several PIs/CoPIs of the centre.
Inquiries regarding the position can be directed to professor Dag Kvale
(
dag.kvale@medisin.uio.no), professor Pål Aukrust (
paukrust@ous-hf.no) or professor Tom H. Karlsen (
t.h.karlsen@medisin.uio.no).
Project #7 Prostaglandin- and regulatory T cell-mediated effects on inflammation
Regulatory T cells suppress effector T cells and are thought to be
heavily involved in the control of inflammatory and autoimmune disease.
Inflammatory prostaglandins act on G-protein coupled prostanoid
receptors to inhibit function of lymphoid cells through several
intracellular signal pathways and have clinical relevance in control of
local inflammation. Here we will look at signal regulation and
inflammation dampening effects of regulatory T cells and
prostaglandin-mediated immune regulation in several
JIRC disease models in collaboration with several Inquiries regarding the position can be directed to professor Kjetil Taskén (
kjetil.tasken@ncmm.uio.no).
We can offer
- Participation in a well-functioning, ambitious research group in the larger context of the K.G. Jebsen Centre
- These positions will be placed as SKO 1352 – Postdoc fellow with salary range depending on qualifications: step 57 – 65 (NOK 468 400 – 542 900).
- Favorable welfare and pension arrangements
We are looking for individuals who
- are hard-working and curious about immunological processes leading to or maintaining inflammation
- have scientific competence of at least a PhD level
- is structured and responsible
- contributes wtih enthusiasm to working in an ambitious team
- is fluent in written and spoken English
The application must include:
- Application letter. Please indicate in the title which project you are applying for
- CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work – scientific publications)
- Copies of educational certificates and grades
- Names, email and telephone number of 2-3 referees (describe relation to applicant)
The application with attachments must be submitted to our
electronic recruitment system EasyCruit. Applications should be a single
pdf file that includes all of these items. Foreign applicants are
advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system.
All documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Inquiries regarding the centre structure can be directed to professor Guttorm Haraldsen (
gharalds@rr-research.no), phone +4723071492, +4792401962
In accordance with the University of Oslo’s equal opportunities
policy, we invite applications from all interested individuals
regardless of gender or ethnicity.
Please also refer to the regulations pertaining to the conditions of employment for academic positions:
https://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/
The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results and intellectual property
Region:
Oslo
Job type:
Contract
Working hours:
Full-time
Working days:
Day
Application deadline:
15 April 2013
Reference number:
2013/3164
Home page:
http://www.med.uio.no/klinmed/
Contacts:
Head of Research Guttorm Haraldsen
Telephone: +47 230 71 492
Mobile: +47 924 01 962
Paulina N. Dudzinska (only inquiries regarding the application)
Telephone: +47 23071507