This is NTNU
NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.
At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.
You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.
Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0
About the position
The position is in the laboratory led by Dr Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi, which consists of an international team of biologists and neuroscientists. The main scientific goal of our laboratory is to understand principles underlying brain development and function in health and disease. More information about our laboratory is available here.
Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.
Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.
About the project
The overall aim of this project is to uncover the fundamental principles governing brain–tumor interactions, with a particular focus on how glioblastoma cells exploit the brain environment to survive, proliferate and invade.
You will primarily work with the zebrafish as an in vivo model system, generating innovative xenograft models by culturing and transplanting patient‑derived glioma cells into the brain. Using these models, you will investigate tumor–brain interplay through an integrated set of molecular, cellular, imaging, and systems neuroscience approaches.
You will use a wide range of techniques including molecular biology, cell culture, genetics, histology, advanced microscopy, animal behavior assays, and computational analysis. This interdisciplinary environment provides a unique opportunity to gain comprehensive training at the interface of cancer biology and neuroscience.
The project is conducted in close collaboration with leading national and international research partners.
Please read our recent publications to have a broad overview of techniques and approaches used in our laboratory.
Duties of the position
- Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
- Carry out research of high quality and reproducibility within the framework described above
- Disseminate research findings through academic publications and popular science outreach
- Participate in research activities in the Jurisch-Yaksi group
- Participate in international activities including collaborations, workshops and conferences
- Teach and mentor students at bachelor, master and PhD level. This includes daily supervision and helping students with research projects, methodology and academic writing
- Other career-promoting work will be decided together with the PhD candidate during the employment period
Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.
Required selection criteria
- You must have an academically relevant background within neuroscience.
- You must have a Master's degree in neuroscience. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. The master's degree must have been obtained by the time of application deadline.
- You must have a strong 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 grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
- You must meet the requirements for admission to the Phd programme in Medicine and Health Sciences
- Good oral and written presentation skills in English
- The following expertise is required
- certification for animal experimentation (CareIn course in Norway or FELASA equivalent)
- proven experience working with zebrafish
- proven experience with cell culture, including primary cells
- technical skills in laboratory work, including immunohistochemistry and imaging
- skills in programming languages such as Matlab, Python or equivalent.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.
Preferred selection criteria
- Technical skills in molecular and cellular biology, immunostaining, imaging and genetics
- Prior experience in neuroscience research, including measuring animal behavior and brain activity
- Prior experience in image analysis (with e.g., Python, Imaris)
Personal characteristics
To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:
- Work independently and in a cross-disciplinary team
- Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
- Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
- Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
- Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed
Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.
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
- 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.
At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.
Salary and conditions
In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-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 3 years.
For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the 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 through out the period of employment.
The position is conditional on external funding.
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 bein 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:
- Cover letter stating your motivation for the position
- Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
- CV
- Copy of Master's thesis.
- One page research plan (minimum font size 11pt) describing what you would be interested to study using zebrafish xenograft assays during your PhD
- 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 Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi nathalie.jurisch-yaksi@ntnu.no. If you have questions about the recruitment process, you can contact HR consultant Vebjørn F. Andreassen, email: vebjorn.andreassen@ntnu.no.
Application deadline: 15.05.2026
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For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.
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.
Om arbeidsgiveren:
NTNU - knowledge for a better worldThe Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.
The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM):
The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM) is NTNU’s largest department, with 450 employees. Our research and teaching help to improve treatment and health.IKOM has expertise in basic, clinical and translational research within broad disciplinary areas. We study children’s and women’s health, cancers, blood disorders and infectious diseases, gastroenterology, inflammation, metabolic disorders, laboratory sciences and medical ethics. The Department offers teaching in medicine at master’s and PhD level. We also offer continuing education for employees in the health services.