What do I work with:
I am working as a CCBIO postdoctoral fellow in the research group headed by Prof. Bjørn Tore Gjertsen where I started autumn 2019. The research focus of the group is cellular signaling in Hematological malignancies. In my project I will focus on investigating cell-to-cell communication and signaling in the bone marrow compartment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) before and during treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The main methods used are imaging mass cytometry (IMC) and 2-photon microscopy of living small research animals. Since I began my Post Doc period I have mainly spent time planning the project in detail and familiarized myself with new methods in addition to writing applications for ethical approval to REK and FOTS for animal research. I have also been part of the process in getting a multi-photon microscope for the animal facility at the institute in collaboration with Prof. Emmet McCormack. It is great to be employed as a Post Doc, as this employment represent the transitioning from PhD towards an academic career with more responsibilities. It’s a position where you still have the time and responsibility to execute experiments and research. In addition, you gain increased supervising responsibilities and learn more about the administrative duties following the job as a researcher.

What do you enjoy working at K2?
I just moved back to Norway in June 2019 after a 2-year position as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US. I chose to return to K2 and the research group I was affiliated to during my MSc and PhD degrees because I wanted to continue performing research in Hematology and I also knew that the working environment was great and the people working in the research group and the institute are kind and collaborative people. The close collaboration between Haukeland University Hospital and K2 is a great asset and allows exciting translational cancer research.

Can you tell us something about your daily tasks and work in general?

I head the influenza center whose vision is to reduce the global burden of influenza illness through being an international leader in development of new and improved influenza vaccines. The center has 14 enthusiastic scientists and students who work on development and evaluation of current and novel influenza vaccines with a focus on understanding the immune response after infection and vaccination. Influenza is a pernicious virus causing annual outbreaks and occasional pandemics and our ultimate research goal is to develop a universal influenza vaccine which provides broad and durable protection.

What do you enjoy working at K2?

K2 is the ideal work place with laboratory in close proximity to our collaborators at Haukeland Hospital allowing synergy between the clinic and laboratory in our clinical trials. The diversity of scientific interests at K2 are stimulating and provide an exciting work place.

Can you tell us something about your daily tasks and work in general?

I work as a senior consultant at Økonomi, but am so lucky that I have been given the position of Advisor/Economy Coordinator at K2 and start with it in a week (17.02.). I will probably continue to work with financial guidance and follow-up for some research groups as I do today, in addition to the new tasks I will get. Of course, I do not have details about the new job yet, but some key tasks will be the general management of the finance section at K2, responsibility for budgeting and reporting, and in addition to externally funded financial management, I will work with management support and advice on financial issues to the department management.

What do you enjoy working at K2?
I really enjoy K2, I’ve done that from day one. First and foremost, this has with all the handsome people who work here, both the ones you meet sporadically at the coffee machine, the ones you work with for the day and the people you work with from other disciplines. In addition, the tasks are a nice mix of routine work and challenges and I find it very nice to work with finances, management and at the same time learn new disciplines to know. Has always had a goal that you should learn something new every day (large or small) and you get that to the very highest extent at K2. I can’t wait to go to work every single day!