Open position: Research Scientist within formulation & oral delivery of biologics at SINTEF

Dear ETPN members, dear colleagues from the European community of Nanomedicine,

SINTEF has recently open a position for a research scientist in nano-enabled formulation and delivery of biologicals. Please find all information about the job and the process for application right below.

About SINTEF

SINTEF is the largest independent research organisation in Scandinavia. Over the last 70 years, we have created value and innovation through knowledge generation and development of technological solutions that are brought into practical use. Today, SINTEF is a broadly based, multidisciplinary research institute with international top-level expertise in technology, medicine and the social sciences, striving to implement our vision, ‘Technology for a better society’. SINTEF is non-profit, and all margin is re-invested into building state-of-the-art infrastructure and developing new research.

SINTEF Industry is the largest institute at SINTEF, performing contract research and delivering solutions and services that create value for our customers. With our cross-disciplinary knowledge base and advanced laboratories as a base, we develop – in close collaboration with our customers – technology and solutions within a broad range of research areas and industries.

The Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, Research Group Polymer Particles and Surface Chemistry, at SINTEF Industry is growing and is looking for a highly skilled and motivated Research Scientist to join our team, with expertise and genuine interest in developing the field of formulation and oral delivery of biologics within the nano- and microsize area.

The Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine consists of the three Research groups Polymer Particles and Surface Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, and Biotechnology, and hosts national leading infrastructures for analytical chemistry, high throughput screening and bioprocess technology, along with state-of-the-art molecular biology and chemical synthesis labs, including a special lab for sterile work and work with drugs. Within medicine, the department is involved in projects ranging from marine prospecting of new drugs, production development by fermentation, formulation of drugs, physical chemical characterization, and efficacy and safety testing in vitro and in vivo. With currently more than 70 employees, we perform more than 100 projects each year for industry and public funders in the frame of national and European research programmes.

Research in our Department is carried out at our facilities at SINTEF Industry in Trondheim, Norway, closely integrated with other SINTEF groups and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology NTNU with which we closely collaborate in numerous research projects at the national and international level.

Job description

To better exploit and expand our existing competences, infrastructure, and capacities in the broad spectrum of nanomedicine, life science and analytical chemistry, we want to expand our team with a researcher who will bring additional, complementary competence and skills. Specifically, the position will be part of a strategic initiative in oral delivery of biologics.

The employed scientist is expected to work closely together with fellow researchers in our team but should also be capable of independently developing and implementing her/his own ideas and strategy on how to contribute to SINTEF’s ambitious goals of developing ‘Technology for a better society’ and further ensuring SINTEF as a leading R&D partner for oral delivery in Europe.

The main part of the work will be concerned with formulation of biologics including oligonucleotides for oral delivery. Yet, the candidate will be encouraged and expected to generate and lead additional research activities, ensuring sustainability and growth of our group; this could imply all research fields where the collective competence and unique analytical infrastructure of the Department can be used to enable science that will benefit society.

Candidate profile

The eligible candidate should:

Have a PhD in a suitable topic, which could for instance include one or several of the following: nanomedicine, oral formulations in the nano- and microsized area, targeted drug delivery focusing on biologics, interaction between materials and biologics and the GI tract biology
Preferably have a broad overview across relevant disciplines and topics like: biologics chemistry, (bio)polymer chemistry, biomaterials, polymer- and lipid based delivery systems, nanomedicine;
Preferably have documented expertise with delivery of biologics
Have good written and oral communication skills in English
Have skills and experience in efficiently publishing research results
Have skills to acquire new R&D projects and industrial customers

Personally, the candidate should:

Be highly committed to applied science
Be able to work in a team and lead scientific and technical staff in a clear, inclusive and inspiring way
Be quality conscious and strive for excellence
Be proactive and able to work effectively across multiple initiatives in parallel
Embrace new challenges and seek to grow their professional competence base
Be able to develop own smart ideas and think independently, be creative
Be able to build and maintain personal networks with scientists and industry partners, nationally and internationally. It is beneficial for the applicant to have an established national and/or international network.

SINTEF offers:

Exciting tasks in an internationally recognized, dynamic and motivating working environment with friendly colleagues
Great opportunities for professional and personal development in an organization that values responsibility and initiative
Participation in innovative national and international projects in close collaboration with industry
Extensive collaboration with national and international research and industry partners
Competitive salary according to SINTEF’s salary system and a framework for professional and personal development within SINTEF, flexible working hours, child day care facilities, good pension and insurance schemes

For additional information, please contact Research Manager Heidi Johnsen (Heidi.johnsen@sintef.no) or Senior Research Scientist Yrr Mørch (yrr.morch@sintef.no)