UiT The Arctic University of Norway

UiT is a multi-campus research university in Norway and the northernmost university of the world. Our central location in the High North, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio, and our interdisciplinary qualities make us uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the future. At UiT you can explore global issues from a close-up perspective.

Credibility, academic freedom, closeness, creativity and commitment shall be hallmarks of the relationship between our employees, between our employees and our students and between UiT and our partners.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway represents a newly created entity gathering almost all possible health study programs. This facilitates an unique interdisciplinarity and innovation in health education and research. We work closely with the services in the North to solve tomorrow's challenges.

Read more about us at uit.no/helsefak

About the position

The Faculty of Health Sciences has vacant a 100 % Researcher position for three years. The position is connected to Department of Clinical Medicine, the Molecular Inflammation Research Group (MIRG) and the project Development of immuno-PET tracers for lung cancer, led by Professor Iñigo Martinez and Dr. Turid Hellevik. The project represents one of the work packages included in the consortium proposal Targeting the Tumor microenvironment: Boosting PET-based diagnostics and therapies, which in turn is part of a large National research program on Nuclear Medicine/PET called “The coastal collaboration”. The purpose of this funding program is to strengthen research in nuclear medicine related to the use of the nuclear medicine equipment donated by Trond Mohn, BFS and TFS to the Universities and University-Hospitals across regions in Norway. In this “coastal cooperation”, Tromsø is steering the part of preclinical research which is subdivided into 4 work packages: Immune-PET & lung cancer, Radionuclide targeted therapy & imaging in Glioblastoma, Neutrophil targeting in breast cancer and Advancing oncological PET imaging using machine learning.

Job description

The specific project connected to this position evolves around the development of new PET tracers to image tumor-associated immune responses, and the use of this novel technology to explore immune cell dynamics in response to anti-cancer therapies. Main activities in the project will be related to radiotracer development, and the subsequent in vitro and in vivo testing in animal models. The main tasks of the candidate will consist on identifying new lead structures, synthetic work for preparation of precursors and metal coordination chemistry. In the subsequent steps, these precursors will be radiolabeled with different transition radiometals (e.g. 68Ga, 64Cu, 89Zr), and further optimized for the application in animal studies. The synthesis of appropriate and novel chelators and their bio-conjugation to biological molecules will be central to this project. The candidate will have access to an organic synthesis lab, a radiosynthesis lab including synthesis automats and preclinical PET scanners (a PET/SPECT/CT and a PET/MR).

The position offers clinically relevant research in an international and inspiring working environment. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with other researchers, graduate students and technicians in our group, but will also interact with a multidisciplinary team of researchers/professionals at the PET imaging center (UNN) and the PET-core facility (UiT). In addition, the candidate will have access to advanced methodology at the other core facilities at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Additional information about our research is available at our web page

Qualification requirements

We seek for candidates that are highly motivated, goal-oriented and responsible, with good working capacity and endurance. The candidate should be able to work both independently and interactively in a team setting, and possess a noticeable enthusiasm for research.

Compulsory qualifications:

We will consider candidates with demonstrated proficiency in at least one of the following topics: preclinical PET imaging, radiotracer development, metal coordination chemistry, organic chemistry or peptide chemistry. We seek for candidates with PhD and/or a Master’s degree in: chemistry (preferably inorganic, organic chemistry or peptide chemistry), development of PET radiopharmaceuticals, synthesis of precursors or radiolabeling. Additionally, applicants certified with FELASA C approval for animal experimentation or with solid experience in working with animal will be preferred. Knowledge of radiation protection procedures and GMP will be advantageous.

Compulsory requirements:

• Have fulfilled PhD degree and have at least 1 postdoc period completed.
• Document experimental knowledge in inorganic/organic chemistry and/or PET imaging above PhD level.
• Document proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Not have (severe) allergies to rodents

Other merits:

Experience in basic laboratory techniques, such as cell culturing, standard molecular biology techniques (protein and gene analyses), histology/immunohistochemistry will be positively considered. Other merits that will be considered in the evaluation are demonstrated skills in data-handling and statistics, image-analysis, teaching and scientific writing, including previous publications and presentations in international forums. In addition to the formal requirements that must be met, personal qualities and suitability for the position will be of great importance.

Working conditions

The working hours shall be utilized for research and research-related activities, such as experimentation, research communication, teaching and research administration. The successful applicant must be willing to engage him-/herself in the ongoing development of their discipline.

Remuneration for this position is in accordance with the standard State salary scale code 1109. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted.

How to apply

Application and submitted documents (see below) must be sent electronically via the application form available on www.jobbnorge.no and the application must include:

• Presentation Letter, including a brief description of the applicant’s interest in, and motivation for the research project.
• CV, with complete overview of education, supervised professional training and professional work and a list of international presentations and publications.
• Diplomas and certificates:
  • diploma and transcript of PhD degree or equivalent (in original language and translated)
  • Certificate of postdoctoral training by host institution
  • Certificate of FELASA C for animal experimentation

If applicable, the applicant shall provide a description of his/her scientific production, also stating which works they consider most important.

Assessment

All applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee’s mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants’ qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicant, and the detailed description outlined for the position. The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called in to an interview.

The University of Tromsø wishes to increase the proportion of females in research positions. In the event of two or more applicants found to be approximately equally qualified, female applicants will be given priority.

Contact information

For further information about the position and project, contact: Professor Inigo Martinez-Zubiaurre, E-mail: inigo.martinez@uit.no, Phone: +47 776 446 86/+47 98 61 82 05.

General information

We make the appointment in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their age, gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background. The university will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act. You may request to not be registered on the public list of applicants, but the University may decide that your name will be made public. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus research University in Norway and the Northernmost university of the world. Our central location in the High North, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio, and our interdisciplinary qualities make us uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the future. At UiT, you can explore global issues from a close-up perspective.

Credibility, academic freedom, closeness, creativity and commitment shall be hallmarks of the relationship between our employees, between our employees and our students and between UiT and our partners.

Apply for position