A PhD research fellowship within the field of biophysics is available at the Department of Physics. The appointments have duration of 3 years with the possibility of until 1 year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department. Student should start mid-August 2017.

Information about the department The position is organized in the Department of Physics. Currently, there are 22 professors, 12 associate professors, 4 adjunct professors, 72 PhD research fellows and 15 postdoctoral positions appointed at the Department of Physics. Our research spans a broad spectrum of natural sciences and technology, which in turn allows us to offer an education providing a solid basis for future careers. Physics research is carried out in experimental as well as theoretical fields, often across conventional boundaries between disciplines. Research staff at the department makes a special effort to increase the awareness and understanding of the importance and impact of physics in our society. Further information about the department can be found at https://www.ntnu.edu/physics

Job description The PhD student will work on the project Acoustic Cluster Therapy (ACT) for improved treatment of cancer and brain diseases funded by the Research Council of Norway. This project is in collaboration with international universities and two companies Phoenix Solutions who developed a platform for ultrasound activated targeted drug delivery and Cristal therapeutics who developed a pioneering approach to transform drugs into tailor-made nanoparticles. A major challenge in cancer therapy is to obtain adequate delivery of the therapeutic agents to cancer cells, and limit the systemic exposure. The explored concepts utilize an acoustic activated cluster (microbubble/ microdroplet) system and nanoparticles to deliver a drug payload at the targeted pathology. The biodistribution of (novel) biologicals will be assessed using (fluorescence) microscopy other imaging modalities in healthy animals and disease models. In vivo MRI, ultrasound, near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging, ex vivo analyses, and histological examinations will be used to investigate the in vivo distribution and behavior of the nanoparticles.

The project involves studies in cell cultures and preclinical testing in mice, which require designing and building various experimental setups for ultrasound exposure and imaging. The student should have broad experimental experience especially with imaging techniques like confocal laser scan microscopy (CLSM) or multi photon microscopy (MPM). Knowledge of image analysis methods would be considered an asset. It is essential that the student is willing to work with laboratory animals and thus willing to obtain the FELASA license. Furthermore, it is crucial to be able to travel to workshops and for research collaboration in other EU countries as well as the USA with notice.

Qualifications The student should hold very good grades and a Master of Science in biophysics, bio (nano)technology, biomedical sciences, or related sciences.

The regulations for PhD programs at NTNU state that the applicant must have a master's degree or equivalent with at least 5 years of studies and an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E for passing grades (A best). Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree: http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/diploma-supplement_en.htm

The position requires spoken and written fluency in the English language. Such evidence might be represented by the results of standard tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The candidate's language skills might also be assessed in a personal interview.

For more information about the research activities see http://www.ntnu.edu/physics/biophysmedtech/ultrasound

Terms of employment The appointment of the PhD fellows will be made according to Norwegian guidelines for universities and university colleges and to the general regulations regarding university employees. Applicants must agree to participate in organized doctoral study programs within the period of the appointment and have to be qualified for the PhD-study.

NTNUs personnel policy objective is that the staff must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent.

The position as PhD is remunerated according to the Norwegian State salary scale. There is a 2% deduction for superannuation contribution.

It is expected that the candidate can start in the position within August 2017 (but preferably not later). Further information can be obtained from Professor Catharina Davies, Department of Physics, NTNU, Phone: +47 73593688, e-mail: catharina.davies@ntnu.no or Dr. Annemieke van Wamel, Phone: +47 73593432, e-mail: annemieke.wamel@ntnu.no.

The application The application should contain: -CV -Reference letters -Certificates from Bachelor and Master degrees -List of publications or other scientific work, if any -Statement on research interest (maximum one page) -Documentation of English language proficiency (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) if English or a Scandinavian language is not the applicant's mother tongue

Applications must be submitted electronically through this site. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.

The reference number of the position is: NV-40/17

Application deadline: April 6th 2017.

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PhD Research Fellow in Biophysics and Nanomedicine - Times Higher Education (THE)