The Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, is offering a PhD Scholarship to commence on 1 August 2013 or soon thereafter. The post is limited to 3 years.
Project description
The aim of the PhD study is to use human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) to
1. Study differences in the composition and expression of acetylcholine receptors in human neurons derived from patients with cognitive dysfunction including Alzheimer´s disease (AD).
2. Identify subpopulations of neurodegenerative patients, which would benefit from treatment with acetylcholine receptor modulators.
The PhD study is part of a larger 5-year research project entitled COGNITO: Novel treatments of cognitive dysfunction, coordinated by Professor Jens D. Mikkelsen from Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet, Neurobiology Research Unit) and includes apart from our group, The Kennedy Centre, Psychiatric Center Glostrup, University of Aalborg, H. Lundbeck A/S as well as two international partners California Institute of Technology and Ohio State University.
Job description
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The candidate will primarily focus on:
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Establishing a functional differentiation assay, using hiPSC from healthy individuals, to generate glutaminergic, cholinergic and GABAergic neurons of the cortex
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Applying different molecular methods to study the expression of acetylcholine receptors and associated proteins in the different neural subtypes
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Performing functional neural analyses by ELISA, calcium signalling, and patch clamp in collaboration with H. Lundbeck A/S
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Using the developed assay to derive relevant neurons from patients with cognitive dysfunction, including familial AD, for studying acetylcholine receptor interaction with β-amyloids and for in vitro testing of agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of the alpha7 acetylcholine nicotinic receptor.
Required qualifications
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A Master´s in Cell Biology, Molecular biology, Biotechnology, MD, DVM or related areas
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Knowledge in molecular biology, in vitro pharmacology, and electrophysiology
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Prior experience in culture and analyses of pluripotent stem cells and primary neural cells will be evaluated as an extra asset
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Motivation and excellent scientific skills are essential
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Good communication skills both oral and written
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A social and outgoing spirit
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Terms of employment
The position is available for a 3-year period for applicants holding a relevant master´s degree or for a 4-year period for applicants who are already enrolled or are accepted to be enrolled at one of the Faculty´s master´s programmes.
At the time of commencement, applicants for the 4-year period must have approximately one year of study remaining before graduating from their MSc programme.
Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations. The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (2007).
Application
The application must be submitted in English, by clicking on "Apply online" below, and must include the following:
Cover Letter detailing your motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project
CV
Diploma and transcripts of records
Other information for consideration, e.g. list of publications (if any), peer reviewed and other
Personal Recommendations
A maximum of 3 relevant scientific works which the applicant wishes to be included in the assessment.
The application will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested in this post to apply.
Please submit the application with the required attachments by clicking on "Apply online" below. The closing date for applications is 23.59pm, Friday 21 june 2013.
Deadline: 21-06-2013
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