Postdoctoral fellow in molecular cell biology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Biology, Molecular Cancer Research Group
Application deadline: 01.03.12
The following reference number must be quoted in your application: 2011/6160
The University of Tromsø has a position vacant as postdoctoral fellow in molecular cell biology.
The position of postdoctoral fellow is for a fixed term of 3 years.
For further information, please contact: Professor Terje Johansen. Email: terje.johansen@uit.no. Phone: +47 77 644720.
This position is organized within the Molecular Cancer Research Group. The group performs basic research with the main focus on selective autophagy and cell signaling. Autophagy is highly relevant in diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, muscle- and heart diseases and diabetes. We have found that autophagy can act selectively at the molecular level through a specific interaction between a short sequence motif first identified in p62/SQSTM1 and the ATG8 family of ubiquitin-like proteins acting as autophagy receptors. The ATG8 family proteins are lipidated and directly bound to the forming autophagosomes. Our results suggest that p62 and the related protein NBR1 are key players in selective autophagy of ubiquitinated protein aggregates. Both p62 and NBR1 are involved in clearing intracellular bacteria by autophagy and implicated in selective autophagy of peroxisomes and midbodies.
Specific protein-protein interactions and their functional consequences are being addressed in all projects using a set of biochemical-, cell biological- and immunological tools. Bioimaging and proteomics are important in the research strategy of the group. Our research is funded by the Norwegian Cancer Society and the Norwegian Research Council in addition to the support we receive from UiT.
The successful applicant is going to work on the project entitled “Roles of the p62 interactome in selective autophagy and cell signalling” financed by the Norwegian Cancer Society. The aim of this project is to gain more knowledge of the functional roles of p62. We want to study the entire interactome of p62 and the functionality of some of the interactions partners in relevant signalling pathways and/or selective autophagy.
We have identified p62 and NBR1 as selective autophagy substrates and cargo receptors for degradation of ubiquitinated targets by autophagy. p62 also plays a pivotal role in several important cell signalling pathways. We therefore aim to determine the possible relationships between their autophagic degradation and cell signalling. Our discovery of the interaction of p62 and NBR1 with the ATG8 family of proteins involved in autophagy and vesicle transport enabled us to identify novel interaction partners for the ATG8 family proteins.
Experience in relevant techniques of molecular cell biology are required such as recombinant DNA techniques, immunohistochemical methods, cell culturing, transfection of mammalian cells and imaging using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The dissertation and international peer-reviewed journal publications should document the candidate’s expertise and motivation. Good conduct of English and ability to work as part of a team are important attributes.
The main emphasis of the evaluation will be on the submitted scientific works (both published and unpublished).
The postdoctoral fellow position requires a Norwegian PhD degree, or corresponding education at the PhD level equal to a Norwegian PhD degree. Applicants that have submitted their PhD thesis for evaluation, but still not defended their thesis, will also be considered.
The successful applicant must be willing to engage himself/herself in the ongoing development of his/her discipline and the university as a whole.
The working time will be set aside for research, research-related activities and research administration.
For appointment for a period exceeding two years the employee may be instructed teaching or equivalent work for The University of Tromsø. The department sets aside 10% of the position to teaching. Employer will decide on the amount of potential teaching/equivalent work. Appointment for more than one fixed term period as a postdoctoral fellow at the same institution is not permitted. Regulations concerning redundancy pay cannot be included in the fixed term work contract.
The remuneration for the position of postdoctoral fellow is in accordance with the State wage scale code 1352. A compulsory contribution of 2 % will be made to the State Pension Fund.
The main objective of appointments to positions of postdoctoral fellows is to qualify the appointee for employment in scientific top positions.
Applications must be accompanied by a proposal for the qualifying work and shall include a work schedule. Appointments are made on the understanding that the appointee shall complete his/her project within the contract term.
A plan shall be drawn up showing how the project that forms the basis for the appointment in the position of postdoctoral fellow shall be implemented. The plan shall form part of (an appendix to) the employment contract for the fixed term and shall cover the project description and work schedule. The plan shall also state the amount of potential teaching or equivalent work for The University of Tromsø required. The plan shall also state who is responsible for providing academic supervision. The person responsible for providing academic supervision and the employee both have a duty to report to the employer in case of inadequate implementation of the plan.
Applications will be assessed by an expert committee. The main emphasis will be placed on assessment of the submitted scientific works and the proposal for the qualifying work.
Information and material to be considered must be submitted within the closing date for applications. Details of references must be provided.
The applicant must submit a list of all his/her scientific works including details of publication.
The application is to be submitted electronically on the application form available at Jobbnorge.
In addition, the application, including CV, certified copies of diplomas and references, and the list of scientific works are to be sent in 3 copies within the closing date for applications, directly to:
Faculty of Health Sciences
Department of Medical Biology
University of Tromsø
9037 Tromsø
Norway
All documentation that is to be evaluated must be certified and translated into English or a Scandinavian language.
THE SCIENTIFIC WORKS – published or unpublished – which the applicant wishes to be taken into consideration during the evaluation process must be submitted in 3 copies arranged as 3 complete sets. The scientific works are to be sent, within the closing date for applications, directly to:
Faculty of Health Sciences
Department of Medical Biology
University of Tromsø
9037 Tromsø
Norway
Applicants shall also refer to “Supplementary regulations for appointment to positions as postdoctoral fellow, PhD candidate and research assistant at the University of Tromsø” (in Norwegian only) and “Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts of postdoktor (post-doctoral research fellow), stipendiat (research fellow), vitenskapelig assistent (research assistant) and spesialistkandidat (resident).
Questions concerning the organization of the working environment, such as the physical state of the place of employment, health service, possibility for flexible working hours, part time, etc. may be directed to the telephone reference.
According to personnel policy objectives that the staff shall reflect the composition of the population in general, both with respect to gender and cultural multiplicity, women and persons with a minority ethnic background in particular are encouraged to apply. The University of Tromsø is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and will try to adapt the working conditions for employees with impaired capacity.
Personal data given in an application or CV will be processed in accordance with the Act relating to the processing of personal data (the Personal Data Act). In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, section 25, 2nd paragraph, the applicant may request not to be registered on the public list of applicants. The University may nevertheless decide that the name of the applicant will be made public. The applicant will be notified beforehand in the event of such publication.
In case of discrepancies between the Norwegian and the English version of this job description, the Norwegian version takes precedence.
UNIVERSITY OF TROMSØ
N-9037 Tromsø
Applicants for this job will be registered in an electronic form on www.jobbnorge.no (Apply for this job).
Please refer to “Academic Positions” in your application.