The Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology at the University of Inland Norway is seeking a dedicated researcher for a three-year PhD position to advance diagnostic methods for bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This position is part of the UTI-Diag and OH-AMR-Diag projects, contributing to a global effort to address the critical threat of antibiotic resistance.
PhD Opportunity: Diagnostics of Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Inland, Norway
Position Overview
| Category | Details |
| Designation | PhD Research Fellow |
| Location | Hamar, Norway |
| Duration | Fixed Term (3 Years) |
| Research Area | Biotechnology, Microbiology, & Infectious Disease Diagnostics |
| Last Date to Apply | 9th August 2026 |
Research Focus
The project aims to develop a proof-of-concept decision-making diagnostic system for the rapid and accurate on-site detection of infections. Key research objectives include:
- Optimizing novel, culture-independent sample preparation methods for body fluids.
- Conducting metagenomic and photonic analysis on clinical samples.
- Correlating complex biological data.
- Evaluating the developed methods within clinical settings.
Eligibility & Qualifications
To be considered, applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent, 120 credits) in biotechnology, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, or a relevant scientific discipline with an average grade of B or better.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience in method development (nucleic acid extraction, host cell/DNA depletion).
- Hands-on experience with Oxford Nanopore sequencing (MinION).
- Proficiency in the end-to-end sequencing workflow and bioinformatics analysis.
- Experience handling clinical samples and analyzing large-scale datasets.
- Excellent spoken and written English skills (documented via test if from a non-English speaking country).
Desired Qualifications:
- Scripting proficiency in Python and R.
- Experience with AMR and infection biology.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically via the Jobbnorge portal. Ensure your submission includes:
- A cover letter detailing your motivation and alignment with the requirements.
- A current CV.
- Copies of all relevant academic certificates and transcripts.
- A complete list of publications.
- Contact information for at least two professional references.
Note: All attachments must be submitted as separate files. If total size exceeds 30 MB, please compress them.
For further details regarding the position, you may contact Professor Rafi Ahmad at rafi.ahmad@inn.no.
