PhD student in neurobiology Full-time

PhD Student In Neurobiology

Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Dept. Clinical Research Malmö

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

The Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö (IKVM) is now announcing a doctoral studentship in Neurobiology within the research group for Cognitive Disease Research. The research group is a multidisciplinary team of preclinical and clinical researchers whose aim is to define and understand the biological processes underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Our research is translational and includes studies on patient cohorts and cognitively healthy individuals, biochemical markers, cognitive testing, animal models, and cell biology experiments. Our long-term goal is to contribute to the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, where effective therapies are still lacking. The research group is located in Malmö. More information about the group can be found here. The group is led by Associate Professor Malin Wennström.

Within the group, we care about creating a positive, respectful, and stimulating environment. We value communication and collaboration and a workplace that promotes learning and development for all employees. We are also committed to building a safe and positive environment for all employees through mutual respect and tolerance.

Description of the Project

Lewy body disease (LBD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein in the brain, leading to cognitive symptoms. Pathological α-synuclein has also been detected in the retina, indicating that the neural tissue of the eye is affected; however, how retinal function and molecular profiles change in LBD remains unclear. The aim of the project is to clarify these changes and how they relate to neurodegeneration in the brain.

To address this, you will conduct experimental cell culture studies, perform immunostaining on retinas from both mice and humans with α-synuclein pathology, and analyze changes in retinal cellular structures. You will also carry out omics analyses of human retinal tissue and compare these with corresponding changes in the hippocampus and occipital lobe, two regions central to memory, visual processing, and LBD-related neurodegeneration.

Work Duties and Responsibilities

The main tasks of a doctoral student are to devote themselves to their doctoral education and therefore you will be both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. Your primary task is to carry out your doctoral research, which includes participating in research projects and completing mandatory courses. Work duties include immunostaining, analysis of human and mouse tissue, handling of proteomics data, and cell culture studies. Other tasks within the research group and conference travel (1 time/year) may also occur.

Qualifications

Requirements for admission are:

• completed a degree at advanced level
• completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits at advanced level, or in some other way within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge
• good ability to make use of the postgraduate education
• at least 60 credits in the subject area of Medical Science
• proficiency in English corresponding to at least upper-secondary school level (3 years)

Requirements for employment are:

• Good understanding of the structural and functional organization of the retina and the brain
• In-depth knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Lewy body disease and Alzheimer's disease
• Knowledge of amyloid peptides and their pathophysiological roles, with focus on α-synuclein and amyloid-β
• Documented practical experience in protein-based analyses including protein assays and various forms of immunostaining
• Excellent oral and written proficiency in English

Meritorious for the position are:

• Experience in handling and sectioning tissue
• Some documented experience in bioinformatics
• Experience working with cell cultures

The position requires that you are cooperative, analytical (mathematical ability), and genuinely engaged in the subject. You should also have an interest in academic writing and be able to work independently. Great importance will be placed on how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is assessed to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral program.

We Offer

Lund University is a governmental authority, which means you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favorable occupational pension.

As a doctoral student at Lund University, you are both admitted as a student and an employee, which gives you several benefits. Read more about being admitted and employed on the university's website.

About the Employment

The position is a fixed-term position for a total of four years, 100% with a start date as agreed. The main rule is that employment at Lund University is conducted in Sweden, so you are expected to be able to perform your work on site in CITY.

Provisions regarding employment as a doctoral student are 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, Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). More information is available on the university's website.

Additional Information

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

How to Apply

The position is sought via the university's recruitment system. Applications must/should include a personal motivation letter, in which you describe how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. The application must/should also contain a diploma, CV or equivalent and anything else you wish to refer to (copies of grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).