Heidrun Åm

The Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is advertising a PhD Candidate position in molecular medical microbiology. The project is part of NTNU’s interdisciplinary research initiative Preparedness and Response to AMR, the silent pandemic , bringing together closely coordinated PhD projects and researchers across microbiology, molecular medicine, and sociology/public health-related perspectives. This specific PhD project focuses on emerging technologies for rapid precision diagnostics of severe infection. The scientific challenge is to improve diagnosis of bloodstream infection (BSI) and sepsis, where current blood culture-based methods can take days and delay effective treatment. The appointed PhD candidate will develop and optimize a diagnostic workflow that combines magnetic nanobead-based enrichment of bacterial and yeast pathogens directly from whole blood with rapid nucleic acid extraction and sensitive molecular and mass spectrometry-based detection methods. The work aims to address low pathogen abundance and host background interference, with the goal of building an integrated platform for faster and more accurate pathogen identification in clinical samples. The project is rooted in medical microbiology, molecular medicine, and translational diagnostics, with strong links to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) preparedness. The candidate will work closely with researchers and students in the research group and collaborate with the other PhD candidates in the larger interdisciplinary project. This offers a strong environment for students interested in lab-based biomedical research, rapid diagnostics, pathogen detection, and clinically relevant assay development. Applicants must meet NTNU’s doctoral admission requirements and hold a relevant Master’s degree in molecular cell biology, biotechnology, microbiology, or an equivalent field, with a substantial independent thesis project. A medical degree may also qualify. The post requires a strong academic record, good English skills, and—preferably—experience with microbiology, molecular medicine, bacterial culture, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, mass spectrometry, diagnostic assay development, and biomedical nanotechnology. Familiarity with Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish is an advantage. The position is full-time and runs for 4 years, typically combining 3 years of doctoral research with up to 1 year of career promotion work. The gross salary is normally NOK 580,000 per year, and the appointment includes standard Norwegian public-sector employee benefits. The deadline for applications is 2026-11-20. To apply, candidates must submit the required documents electronically via Jobbnorge.no, including academic transcripts, diplomas, CV, master’s thesis (or draft), motivation letter, any publications or relevant research output, certificates, and three referees. Applicants with education from outside Norway should also include documentation of degree scope and quality, and—where applicable—a diploma supplement or HK-dir statement.