Researcher bridging immunology, genomics and proteomics (academic-industry collaboration)

Researcher bridging immunology, genomics and proteomics (academic-industry collaboration)

University of Oslo – Department of Immunology, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine.

Position: Two‑year researcher (SKO 1109). Start date: July‑September 2026, flexible. Full‑time, located at GSK Vaccines S.r.l., Siena, Italy (MS Structural Biology, Ab Discovery and Immunology unit). Scientific advisor: Dr. Greiff, Lab for Computational and Systems Immunology.

The role focuses on developing an Ig‑seq platform to integrate B‑cell receptor (BCR) repertoire sequencing with serology and LC‑MS/MS proteomics for immunoproteogenomics. The candidate will design, implement, and perform experiments, data analysis, and computational modelling to link B‑cell clonotypes to serum antibodies and resolve functional proteoforms.

More about the position

Project aims: investigate polyclonal humoral responses to a model viral antigen in humans, using antigen‑specific B‑cell sorting, BCR sequencing, LC‑MS/MS identification of circulating antigen‑specific antibodies, de‑novo sequencing workflows, proteogenomic pipelines, and machine learning for antibody identification and epitope prioritisation.

Responsibilities include development and analysis of mass spectrometry methods for antibody isolation and characterisation, designing multiparameter flow‑cytometry panels for antigen‑specific B‑cells and plasma cells, rigorous data stewardship, collaboration across immunology, proteomics, and bioinformatics teams, mainly at GSK Siena, and dissemination of research findings.

Key Duties

• BCR library preparation and sequencing workflows.
• Implementing bioinformatics pipelines for clonotyping, lineage tracing, and proteogenomic integration.
• Performing comparative analyses with published datasets.

Qualifications

Appointment requires a doctoral degree in Proteomics.

• Hands‑on experience with LC‑MS/MS method development for proteins/antibodies, including sample preparation, instrument set‑up, and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R and scientific computing, reproducible research practices (Git, containers, workflows).
• Ability to build and run bioinformatics pipelines (de‑novo peptide sequencing, spectral annotation, FDR control).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Desired qualifications

• Expertise in immune receptor immunology (BCR/TCR) and repertoire analytics (clonotyping, lineage tracing, SHM, germline inference).
• Experience with BCR repertoire analysis (bulk and/or single cell).
• Experience with advanced Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting.
• Structural biology/protein informatics related to antibody‑antigen interactions and developability assessment.
• Experience with complementary fragmentation methods (HCD/ETD/EThcD), intact/middle‑down workflows, and disulfide/glycoform mapping.
• High‑performance/parallel computing; familiarity with ML frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow) and benchmarking.
• Prior experience integrating proteomics and repertoire sequencing (immunoproteogenomics).

Personal skills

• Collaborative, adaptable, effective in interdisciplinary, ambitious environment.
• Independent, solution‑oriented, organised; strong scientific rigor and documentation practices.

We need different perspectives in our work

UiO is an inclusive, diverse university. We accommodate needs, including adjustments to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments.

We offer

• Exciting, meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission.
• Scientific, interdisciplinary, international environment at GSK Siena with state‑of‑the‑art proteomics and flow‑cytometry facilities.
• Mentorship by Prof. Victor Greiff and collaboration across immunology, proteomics, and computational teams.
• Professional development, training, and conference participation.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment.
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
• Workplace with good development and career opportunities.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse – a leading pension scheme with beneficial mortgages and insurance schemes.
• Salary for Researcher (code 1109) in the range NOK 640,000 – 760,000, depending on competence and experience (2% deducted for statutory pension contributions).

General information

The best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews. Applicant lists may be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. Exemption from publication can be requested; justification is required. Please refer to rules for use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110, 1183 at UiO.