Doctoral student in brain clearance Full-time

Doctoral Student In Brain Clearance

Lund University, Department of Experimental Medical Science

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top universities. The University has around 46,000 students and 8,500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the human condition.

Description Of The Workplace

We offer a doctoral position in the field of neuroscience. The work in the Glia-Immune Interactions laboratory is centered around the glial-lymphatic (glymphatic) system, which is a clearance system for solutes and proteins in the brain, and its role in CNS diseases. Disruption of this system can increase the susceptibility to the worsening of pathology or even development of neurodegenerative diseases.

For gaining a deeper understanding of the glymphatic system and its role in neurodegenerative diseases, the lab uses animal models of diseases and in vivo imaging to study the glymphatic system in health and disease. The research is highly translational and uses models that are relevant to human diseases.

The activities are located at the Biomedical Centre in Lund. Within the research group, we care about a good working environment with respect and consideration in our relationships with each other. We constantly try to create a good environment for job satisfaction, development, and participation for all group members. The group is international and regularly hosts visiting researchers and master's students.

Project Description

We are seeking a PhD student for a project aimed at enhancing glymphatic brain clearance in pig models. The project will also involve Alzheimer's disease in small animal models.

Tasks And Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the PhD student is to pursue doctoral education within the framework of the project. The overall aim of the project is to investigate whether drugs that enhance glymphatic brain clearance in mice can treat Alzheimer's pathology in a mouse model. The project will also develop a new method for measuring brain clearance in pigs and use this tool to test treatment strategies.

You will conduct experimental research with a particular focus on brain clearance, large animal models, and Alzheimer's disease. Your work will involve developing and applying preclinical methods to investigate glymphatic clearance and brain metabolism in both large animal models and mouse models.

You will have a specific responsibility for contributing to the development and optimization of a brain clearance assay in pigs, including studies of pharmacological modulation of glymphatic function.

You will also work with mouse models of amyloid pathology to study hippocampal cerebral blood flow, metabolism, and histopathology using MRI and microscopy. Your duties will include experimental design, data collection, image and spectroscopy analysis, statistical analysis, documentation, interpretation of results, and preparation of scientific manuscripts.

You will present research findings at group meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences, and you will contribute to a collaborative and responsible research environment.

The work will be carried out in close collaboration with supervisors and other members of the research group, but you are also expected to work independently and gradually take increasing responsibility for the implementation of the project.

Qualifications

Admission Requirements Are:

• A second-cycle qualification (master level), or
• Completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle, or
• Acquired essentially corresponding knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad
• Good ability to utilize the doctoral studies

Requirements For The Position Are:

• Educational background in medicine, biomedicine, neuroscience, or another subject relevant to the project
• Fluency in English, both orally and in writing
• Good ability to communicate in Swedish, both orally and in writing, to participate in Swedish-speaking training, write ethical permits

Merits For The Position Are:

• Prior research experience in Alzheimer's disease, documented through publications, manuscripts, conference abstracts, posters or other scientific outputs.
• Experience of preclinical research using experimental animal work, including handling of rodents and/or large animals and surgical techniques.
• Completed training or certification in laboratory animal science, particularly for work with rodents.
• Experience of magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
• Clinical background, preferably with experience relevant to neurodegenerative diseases.
• Experience of statistical analysis and/or data analysis in R or similar software.
• Experience of histological methods, tissue preparation, immunostaining, fluorescent microscopy and/or confocal microscopy.
• Experience of scientific writing, including manuscripts, abstracts, posters, grant applications, ethical permits or conference presentations.
• Experience of working in an international research environment.
• Personal qualities such as accuracy, independence, perseverance, initiative, collaborative ability and strong motivation to conduct doctoral studies will be considered meritorious.

What We Offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means that you get special benefits, generous holidays, and a favourable occupational pension. As a doctoral student at Lund University, you are both admitted as a student and employed, which gives you several benefits. Read more about being admitted and employed at the university's website.

Find out more on the University website about working with us Work for us.

About The Employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment for a total of four years, 100% with start date on 2026-07-01 or as agreed. The main rule is that employment at Lund University is conducted in Sweden, you are therefore expected to be able to perform your work on site in Lund. Rules and regulations concerning employment as a doctoral student can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. Provisions regarding admission to doctoral studies are found in Chapter 6, Section 3 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). More information is available on the university's website.

Other Information

For doctoral students, there is a specific salary scale linked to each faculty, and salaries are set according to the applicable salary scale.

How To Apply

You applie for the position via the university's recruitment system. The application should include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the position matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate, CV or equivalent and anything else you wish to refer to (copies of grades, details of references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

More Information Regarding The Faculty Of Medicine

The Faculty of Medicine is a part of Lund University, and is responsible for education and research within medicine and healthcare. Our academic programs are closely linked with the healthcare system and are firmly anchored in the faculty's strong research tradition. Our research spans a broad field within experimental preclinical research, near-patient clinical research and health sciences research. The Faculty of Medicine, with its 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund and Malmö, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from all over the world.

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