Monthly Archives: May 2014

Applications to NFR and The Norwegian Cancer Society

Per BakkeThe application deadline for NFR, free research grants, is now passed, and a total of 18 applications were sent from K2. This is about a third of the applications from MOF. It is an impressive effort from many. We will do an evaluation of the support the institute gave to the applicants. We will come back to that.

It is, however, a paradox that we are mobilising so much effort for funding with low acceptance rate, while many of us are not aware of other NFR research programs where the acceptance rate is much higher than in the free research grants. I will therefore strongly urge people to check other calls from NFR, to see if they may have projects that fit these calls.

The next application round is to The Norwegian Cancer Society, with deadline June 2. I encourage all who plan to apply to notice that the project money from the Cancer Society does not cover rent and administration costs which incur automatically on all externally financed positions. The faculty has agreed to cover these costs, but only if it is cleared in beforehand. It means that the institute, Siv, must get a message BEFORE the application is sent about all the positions that is being applied for. Rent and administration costs (contribution margin) on granted positions without pre-applied clearing must be covered by the applicant.

Per

Announcement from the Norwegian Cancer Society

Nytt logo Kreftforeningen lite

The Cancer Society’s annual main call for research funding for positions and operation is announced. You can now apply for support for researcher initiated cancer research projects in any research field. The projects are usually in the categories basal research, translational research, clinical research, epidemiologic research, health and social research or alternative/complementary research, but any application for cancer related research will be considered.

The application deadline is Monday June 2nd 2014, at 13:00. The Cancer Society will only accept applications sent electronically via the application portal.

Please keep in mind that the system of short-term clinical grants is now extended to all professions whose main position is in the clinic. Moreover, it is now possible to apply for a free position for a longer period than before, up to one year (full time).
For more information (in Norwegian).

NB! Applications to the Norwegian Cancer Society must be approved by the institute. The reason for this is that only projects approved in advance by the institute will get a refund for the contribution margin from the faculty.

Call from Astri and Edvard Riisøens Legacy

mynter-hjerteformet-16-9You can now apply for support from Astri and Edvard Riisøens Legacy. The Legacy’s purpose is to promote the medical research of cardiovascular diseases. The Legacy may also be used for research or studies of other diseases, e.g. cancer, rheumatic diseases etc.. This year you can apply for funding of scientific travels. Deadline June 2. For more information (in Norwegian).

International TB vaccine symposium

The International Symposium “A new horizon for preventative vaccines against tuberculosis” was arranged in Madrid, May 7-8, and was opened by Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain. The symposium was organised by TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI), in cooperation with the University of Zaragoza and Fundación Ramón Areces.

Professor Harleen Grewal, was invited to speak on the key results linked to the development of a TB clinical trial site in Southern India, led by the TB Trials consortium, and met the Queen in person.

Harleen and the Queen

Public defence week 23

Marianne Øksnes will have her public defence on Friday June 6, 2014.
Trial lecture: Friday June 6, 2014, 10:30
Topic: «Metabolic syndrome and adrenal diseases»
Public defence: Friday June 6, 2014, 12:15
Place: Auditorium 1, BB-building, Jonas Lies vei 91
Title of dissertation: «Glucocorticoid treatment and quality of life in Adison’s disease»
1st opponent: Professor Susan Webb, Autonomous University, Barcelona, Spain
2nd opponent:
Professor Marcus Quinkler, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Poster (in Norwegian)

Seminar – Perspectives in Translational Medicine

Wednesday next week there will be a new seminar in the common seminar series for K1 and K2.

Title: “Molecular classification of gynecological cancers – progress and challenges for individualizing treatment strategies”
Presenter: Helga B. Salvesen, Chief Physician and Professor at the Women’s Clinic
Time and place: Wednesday May 4, 14.15-15.00, Store Auditorium, Central Building.
Chair: Anders Molven

Tea/coffee will be served

Mandatory duty work for UiB PhD-Candidates

Roland JonssonAs is known, all PhD-candidates funded by the University have a four-year employment contract, where 25 % of the employment is allocated mandatory duty work. This work has to be planned each year in collaboration with supervisor(s) and employer. The faculty’s and the institutes’ executive officers for research education have reviewed this practice. It turns out that the amount of work time spent on duty work differs a lot between the PhD-candidates.  Currently, almost 50 PhD-candidates at K2 are UiB-funded, and when considering the fact that each of these PhD-candidates in theory should spend one whole year on duty work, we are talking about nearly 50 man-years available at the department’s disposal. Thus we should aim for a good structure in the organization of duty work so that this resource is utilized optimally.

Examples of actions discussed:

  • All UiB-funded candidates and their supervisors must inform executive officer for research education about planned duty work ahead of each year.
  • All scientific employees may, in addition, ahead of each semester submit tasks they wish to recruit PhD-candidates for, but where they have not yet obtained any.  This includes teaching tasks, communications work, conference/seminar organization, database work, supervision of Master students, etc.
  • All new UiB-funded PhD-candidates will, together with their principal supervisor, be called inn for a short meeting regarding planning of duty work with executive officer for research education and head of research as soon as application for admission to the PhD-programme has been submitted.

Roland

Spring cleaning!

mary_poppinsEveryone will appreciate if one took a “spring cleaning” in the offices and the open office areas. We have gotten complaints from the cleaners at HUS about it being difficult to clean in the offices belonging to K2 employees. There are empty bottles and clothes in the windows and at floor areas, in addition to plastic bags.

Food remains must be disposed in containers in the kitchen areas, which are emptied every day. Waste containers from the offices and open office areas are only emptied once a week.

If everyone makes an effort, it will be nicer for us all, and the cleaners gets an easier workday. We ask for your understanding.

Best regards from
Mary Poppins at K2

Nominations for the MØBIUS Prize

untitledThe research groups are encouraged to nominate candidates for the Research Council’s award for outstanding research, the MØBIUS Prize, to be awarded in autumn 2014. Both research groups and individuals may nominate candidates. The proposals must be well justified and documented. The proposals must be submitted to the Research Council no later than June 13. The MØBIUS Prize statutes.

Would you like to be presented in the media?

medieomtale1The Faculty wants to give young and promising researchers a course in dissemination and communication. There will be one course for 10 participants during the fall 2014. The goal is to give all participants at least one case in the press/on the radio/on TV as a direct result of the course.

If you wish to participate you must send a message to Per Bakke  before May 24 and the institute leader will prioritise if many are interested. Only two from K2 will be allowed to join this exciting program. For more information (in Norwegian).

Invitation to a discussion meeting

lover-reger-juss-trimA central work group consisting of Deputy Rector, the deans from all the faculties and the Museum Director are leading the process of developing a new strategy for the University of Bergen for the period 2016-2022.

The work group invites all employees to an open discussion meeting on Tuesday June 10, at 12:30-14:20, at Auditorium 1, BB-building. All interested must register by June 3 to Lars Nilsen.
For more information (in Norwegian).

Go abroad!

Eystein 2University of Bergen, Helse Vest, The Norwegian Research Council, EU and other sources of funding urge Norwegian researchers to work abroad in order to return with valuable experience which may ultimately improve research quality here at home. UiB even funds a 4th year for postdoc year for those who leave the country.

Yet, there are many who obtain a master degree, PhD, and postdoc in the same research group. The reasons are complex, but partner’s job situation and family are factors which may hinder the desire to leave. If it is not possible to travel for one year or several years, an alternative could be short- and possibly repeated stays of 1-3 months at a foreign institution. This could provide access to methods and academic environments that are not available at home. Your research will obtain wider exposure and the new environment could provide valuable input. This will count when your competence and skills are evaluated for future funding and positions down the line.Bratland

Furthermore, it is equally important to stimulate foreign researchers to visit us for shorter or longer periods of time. Another option taken by some groups has been to invite top-notch scientists to evaluate their research on an annual basis.

There are many possibilities. Help K2’s research to achieve an even wider international visibility and impact.

Eystein Husebye
Deputy Head of Department

Language Award – Bokmål

Språkrådet

Every year the Norwegian Language Council give an award for outstanding use of Norwegian in nonfiction. The award is given alternate years for bokmål and nynorsk. This year it is bokmål.

The awards are given for individual works or productions from the last five years and may go to persons or groups (institutions, businesses, organisations). Candidates may be from industry, research, education (educational resources), management, the press, technology, culture (e.g. blogger) and so on.

Everyone can nominate candidates for the Language Award (in Norwegian). Send your suggestions, with out without reasons, to Eilov Runnesto by June 20.

Public defences week 21

wernerHenrica Maria Johanna Werner will have her public defence on Tuesday May 20, 2014.
Trial lecture: Tuesday May 20, 2014, 09:15
Topic: «Endometrial carcinoma: areas of translational research after the TCGA reclassification»
Public defence: Tuesday May 20, 2014, 10:30
Place: Auditorium 4, BB-building, Jonas Lies vei 91
Title of dissertation: «Clinical and molecular markers in endometrial cancer. Studying prognostic and predictive biomarkers that can help to individualise therapeutic decisions»
1st opponent: Professor Jaime Prat, Autonomous University, Barcelona, Spain
2nd opponent:
Professor Hans W. Nijman, University Medical Center, Groningen, Netherlands
Poster and Press release (both in Norwegian).

strom_gro_0Gro Elizabeth Ann Strøm will have her public defence on Tuesday May 20, 2014.
Trial lecture: Tuesday May 20, 2014, 09:15
Topic: «Is elimination of malaria in Tanzania feasible?»
Public defence: Tuesday May 20, 2014, 11:15
Place: Stort Auditorium, Haukeland University Hospital
Title of dissertation: «Diagnosing pediatric malaria in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Clinical and laboratorial perspectives»
1st opponent: Associate Professor Michael Alifrangis, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
2nd opponent:
Professor Jan Kristian Damås, NTNU, Norway
Poster and Press release (both in Norwegian).

manhenke_3Cord Arend Manhenke will have his public defence on Tuesday May 22, 2014.
Trial lecture: Thursday May 22, 2014, 09:15
Topic: «Cardiac extracellular matrix: Constituents and function»
Public defence: Thursday May 22, 2014, 10:30
Place: Aula 2nd floor, Sydbygg, Stavanger University Hospital
Title of dissertation: «Circulating markers of extracellular cardiac matrix turnover in patients following acute myocardial infarction»
1st opponent: Professor Christian Hall, Ringerike Hospital
2nd opponent:
Professor Petar M. Seferovic, University of Beograd, Serbia
Poster and Press release (both in Norwegian).

helland_yystein_svhvØystein Helland will have his public defence on Friday May 23, 2014.
Trial lecture: Friday May 23, 2014, 11:15
Topic: «Immune response failure as a predisposing factor for developing cancer»
Public defence: Friday May 23, 2014, 13:15
Place: Auditorium, Kvinneklinikken, Jonas Lies vei 72
Title of dissertation: «Ovarian Cancer: A clinical challenge requiring basic answers. Development of an orthotopic ovarian xenograft model accessible to surgical intervention and exploring the role of Treg in evasion of immune destruction»
1st opponent: Professor A.G.J. van der Zee, University Medical Center, Groningen, Netherlands
2nd opponent: 
Associate Professor Ben Davidson, University of Oslo, Norway
Poster and Press release (both in Norwegian).

Midway evaluations week 21

Hilde Mjell Donkor
Friday May 23, at 09:00-10:00.
For more information.

Kristoffer Sand
Friday May 23, at 10:00-11:00.
For more information.

Bente Brannsether-Ellingsen
Friday May 23, at. 11:00-12:00.
For more information.

Henriette Hellebust
Friday May 23, at 14:45-15:45.
For more information.

All the evaluations are held in the seminar room on the 7nd floor of the Lab-building.