The Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen is pleased to announce that a PhD fellowship will be available from 1 April 2014 or as soon as possible thereafter. The application deadline is 15 February 2014. Applications are invited for the three-year fellowship from applicants who hold or expect to hold a master´s degree in a field relevant to the following project: Modelling the ischemic blood-brain barrier, investigations of drug transport proteins and barrier properties.
Project description
There is a large unmet need for new CNS medicines. The major obstacle hindering development of new treatments, is the blood brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier blocks passage of the majority of small molecule compounds, and practically all macromolecules. We therefore study the properties of the blood-brain barrier in vitro in primary brain cell cultures, in order to evaluate whether receptor-mediated transcytosis can be employed to ferry drug compounds across the barrier. The present project focuses on the development of in vitro models of the ischemic blood-brain barrier.
An in vitro ischemia model will be constructed, with the dual purpose of 1) generate a cell culture model which can reflect the changes in the blood-brain barrier permeability to drug compounds which occur during- and following and ischemic event and 2) generate a tool which can be used for mechanistic studies of the properties of ischemic blood-brain barrier. Bovine brain endothelial cells co-cultured with rat astrocytes under normal conditions will subsequently be exposed to different grades of low oxygen tension, increased CO2 and low media glucose concentrations. The effect of experimentally modeled ischemia will be validated with regard to tissue morphology, expression of receptors, transporters and tight junction proteins using real-time PCR, western blotting and immunocytochemistry in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The project will be carried out in collaboration with national and international partners and a stay abroad will be a part of the project.
The overall purpose of this project is thus to generate a model of the blood brain barrier in a disease stage, i.e. ischemia. Furthermore the drug transport capacity via the receptors and transporters in the disease model will be investigated with the long term aim of developing new treatments for ischemic stroke. The PhD fellowship is financed by The Lundbeck Foundation.
Required Qualifications
The applicant must have:
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obtained a Master´s degree in a relevant subject area prior to the starting date
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fluency in English and excellent communication skills
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experience with cell culture techniques
Preferred qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a background in Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Neuropharmacology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or similar. The ideal candidate will be experienced in cell culture techniques and molecular biology techniques (real-time PCR, western blotting). A solid background knowledge of neuropharmacology and cell biology will also be considered an asset. As to personal skills, critical reflection, the ability to set goals and reach them, and entrepreneur spirit, will be advantageous.
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Supervisor
Group Leader, Associate Professor, Birger Brodin. e-mail: birger.brodin@sund.ku.dk, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
General job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at the Faculty are to:
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manage and carry through your research project
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take PhD courses
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write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
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participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings
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stay at an external research institution, preferably abroad
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teach and disseminate your research
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participate in the undergraduate teaching of students in pharmaceutical sciences
Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
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Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme
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Relevant work experience
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Previous publications
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The grade point average achieved
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Other professional activities
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Language skills
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The successful applicant is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills
How to apply
Applicants are requested to submit their application electronically below including (in word or pdf):
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Cover letter: Letter stating the interest and qualifications for the project (max. one page)
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Full CV
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Diploma and transcripts of records: Master´s degree diploma (including grade transcripts for bachelor´s and master´s degrees). Applicants with a Master´s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used
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Possible publication list
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Other information to consider: Possible references and recommendations
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Deadline for applications: 15 February 2014. Please note that only online applications will be accepted.
Applications will be handled and processed by the supervisors and by a committee. An answer as to the granting of the fellowship can be expected approx. 3-4 weeks after application deadline.
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