Fully Funded PhD Position at University of Oslo, Norway | Apply Online For Oral Cancer Research
Investigate how cancer-derived extracellular vesicles influence surrounding and distant cells. This University of Oslo PhD position offers three years of doctoral research within the Oral Physiology and Cancer Research Group, exploring tumour–host interactions in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
- Faculty: Faculty of Dentistry
- Research Group: Oral Physiology and Cancer Research Group (OPCG)
- Position: Doctoral Research Fellow
- Position Code: 1017
- Location: Oslo, Norway – Gaustad, Rikshospitalet
- Research Area: Tumour–host interaction in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
- Salary: NOK 551,000–605,000 per year
- Duration: Three years, full-time
- Application Deadline: 6 December 2026
About the University
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest-ranked educational and research institution, with approximately 28,000 students and 7,000 employees.
Its Faculty of Dentistry is one of Europe’s leading institutions for odontological research and education. Also, the faculty has approximately 420 students and 420 employees and operates Norway’s largest dental clinic, with around 50,000 patient visits annually.
University of Oslo PhD Position Job Description
In this University of Oslo PhD position, the OPCG studies how extracellular vesicles released by cancer cells alter normal cells near and far from tumours, potentially changing their phenotype to support tumour growth.
This project will investigate how OSCC-derived extracellular vesicles affect normal cells, including endothelial cells, examining responses such as:
- Cell proliferation.
- Intracellular Ca²⁺ signalling.
- Metabolic profiles.
- Also, other changes relevant to tumour–host interactions.
The expected research output is three scientific papers and a doctoral thesis.
Educational Requirements and Eligibility For University of Oslo PhD Position
Applicants must have:
- A master’s degree equivalent to a Norwegian master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Dentistry or a related field.
- A master’s thesis grade of B or better.
- In addition, good written and spoken English, meeting the applicable English requirements for non-EU/EEA applicants.
Publications are advantageous but not required.
Admission to the Faculty of Dentistry’s PhD programme is a prerequisite. In addition, the research training plan must be formalised within three months.
Skills and Qualifications
Experience with the following methods is advantageous:
- Cell culture.
- In addition, standard molecular biology techniques.
- Immunohistochemistry.
- Omics data analysis.
- Intracellular calcium imaging.
The group seeks an independent, self-motivated and curious researcher with practical and analytical skills, an interdisciplinary outlook and strong collaborative abilities.
Salary and Benefits
For this University of Oslo PhD position, the fellowship provides a fully funded three-year project with established research infrastructure, dedicated supervision and mentoring.
Benefits include:
- Annual salary of NOK 551,000–605,000.
- Additionally, an interdisciplinary and internationally connected research environment.
- Moreover, welfare schemes, including up to 1.5 hours of exercise during working hours per week.
- Also, membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, with pension, mortgage and insurance benefits.
- A family-friendly setting in Oslo.
A 2% contribution is deducted from salary for the State Pension Fund.
How to Apply
Submit your application through Jobbnorge by 6 December 2026.
Include:
- Cover letter: One to two pages.
- CV.
- In addition, diplomas, transcripts and certificates.
- English proficiency documentation, where required.
- List of publications.
- A copy of your master’s thesis, if possible.
- Furthermore, contact details for two to three references.
Documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Moreover, non-Scandinavian applicants should explain their grading system and include a Diploma Supplement.
The strongest candidates will be invited to interview and may be asked to give a brief presentation.
Additional Information
- Project: Tumor-host interaction in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
- Duration: Three years, fixed-term
- Commitment: Full-time, 100%
- Annual Salary: NOK 551,000–605,000
- Main Supervisor: Professor Trude Marie Haug
- Application Deadline: 6 December 2026
For researchers interested in cancer biology and cellular communication, this Fully Funded PhD Position offers an opportunity to investigate how tumour-derived vesicles reshape normal cell behaviour while developing specialist experimental skills within an established research group.
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