PhD student position in Medical Science with focus on histology and cell biology - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

We offer a Ph.D student position at the Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University. The employment is limited to four years full-time starting 2022-07-01 or upon agreement.

Description of the PhD-Project

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are neurodegenerative conditions.  Early in the course of these diseases, an abnormal degradation of noradrenaline-producing nerve cells is observed in the brainstem. Noradrenaline is a neurotransmitter that is thought to have an immunomodulatory and protective effect on the brain's nerve cell systems and a lack of noradrenaline is thought to be able to aggravate and accelerate other neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The doctoral student project aims to investigate and map the long-term effects of noradrenaline deficiency on the brain's other nerve cell systems, with special focus on the above-mentioned diseases. The pathological processes will be analyzed in experimental studies in different model systems, with special focus on the neurodegenerative process in relation to pathological changes and inflammation. As a doctoral student, you will use various biochemical and immunological methods for tissue analysis. In addition, the functionality of the brain will be examined using behavioral analyzes and advanced electrochemical measurements (in vivo voltammetry).

Qualifications

The applicant is required to have completed a university level degree of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at Master program level.

Specific admission requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate studies, it is required that the applicant has:

1. Necessary knowledge from university higher education or corresponding education and/or special professional experience that is assessed in relation to the research area.
2. Good skills in both spoken and written English are a requirement for the position. Evaluation of these skills is made by having the intended PhD student present his/her research plan in English for the Department’s designated postgraduate education group.

Additional merits

It is seen as a merit if the applicant through university studies or other equivalent education, have gained basic theoretical knowledge in biomedicine and have good experience of laboratory work and method development. Applicants with practical experience of research with animal models and tissue handling are prioritized. Experience of work with stereotactic surgery is considered a significant strength, and experience with immunohistochemistry and other biochemical methods of analysis are also considered strengths. The applicant should be able to work both independently and as part of a team, and high focus will be given to the candidate’s potential collaborative skills.

Terms of employment

The appointment aims at a PhD degree and the main task of the PhD student is to pursue doctoral studies, which includes participation in research, seminars and courses. According to the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 12, Section 2), the decision on employment as a PhD student cannot be appealed. The employment is limited to four years full-time starting 2022-07-01 or upon agreement. The salary corresponds to the established salary level for doctoral employment. 

Application

The application must be written in English or Swedish, documents must be in Word or pdf format. Applications must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University Varbi and be received no later than 2022-04-22. A complete application should contain the following documents:

• A cover letter including a description of your research interests, your reasons to apply for the position, and your contact information
• A curriculum vitae
• Certified copies of degree certificates and other completed academic courses
• Contact information for two reference persons

Other

For more information please contact assistant professor Sara af Bjerkén, sara.af.bjerken@umu.se

https://www.umu.se/en/staff/sara-af-bjerken/

You who are admitted to doctoral studies from July 1st 2021 will be enrolled in the faculty-wide doctoral education programme at the Faculty of Medicine. The doctoral programme comprises 25 credits and is offered in two study variants: 25 credits spread over 8 terms (a total of 4 years) or over 12 terms (a total of 6 years), starting each autumn and spring semester. More information about the programme can be found on the faculty’s web page for doctoral studies (https://www.aurora.umu.se/en/organisation-and-management/organisation/faculties/faculty-of-medicine/doctoral-studies/).

Welcome to apply!