Lunds universitet, Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper Malmö

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Research group

The Clinical Memory Research Unit and the Swedish BioFINDER Study Group, both headed by Professor Oskar Hansson, have world-class expertise in neurodegenerative diseases, fluid biomarkers and molecular imaging (www.biofinder.se).

We aim to create a good work environment based on respect and consideration in our relation to each other. We strive to create an environment that promotes development and is stimulating to all employees.

We are now looking for a PhD student for our project “The medial temporal lobe in aging and dementia”. The PhD student will conduct research under the supervision of Oskar Hansson, Laura Wisse, Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren and Danielle van Westen. Starting date for this full-time position is to be mutually agreed.

Project description
As the world population is aging, dementia and age-related brain changes and cognitive impairments are becoming an increasingly important research topic. An important brain region to study in this context is the medial temporal lobe (MTL). The MTL is a highly complex structure, made up of cytoarchitectonically and functionally different subregions, which subserve different cognitive functions and are hypothesized to be differentially vulnerable to different neurodegenerative pathologies.
This project therefore focuses on the MTL in the context of aging and disease. MRI will be used to identify structural and functional changes, and PET imaging to identify tau and amyloid pathology. The objectives of this project are 1) to contribute to the development of fine-grained and sensitive methods to measure volume loss in MTL subregions, 2) to characterize changes in the MTL in aging populations related to different types of dementias and to normal aging.

By studying fine-grained subregions in the MTL we hope to gain a better understanding of underlying disease mechanisms, but also potentially develop biomarkers to track disease progression in dementia and for clinical trials.

Work description
This project focuses on the development of new MRI methods to measure volume loss in MTL subregions and on better understanding the drivers of volume changes in the medial temporal lobe in aging and dementia. Main tasks include manual segmentation of MTTL subregions, the quality assessment of automated segmentations of the MTL, statistical analyses, writing papers and presentation of results at national and international conferences.
The main duties of PhD students is to engage in their research studies, which includes participating in research projects and mandatory third cycle courses studies. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties. Other assignments within the research group may also occur.

Qualifications
The following are required for the position:

  • Master of Science, or a foreign qualification deemed equivalent, within medicine, biomedical science, psychology, neuroscience or a related field
  • Proficiency in oral and written communication in English.
  • Strong communication, presentation and writing skills

We are looking for someone who is patient, detail-oriented and precise. We also require the ability to work independently and good collaborative skills.

The following are considered to be a merit:

  • Experience with MRI
  • Specific interest in dementia and aging

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who: have completed a second-cycle degree, have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

Basis of assessment
The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Instructions for the application
The application must contain a personal motivation letter, a CV, contact information of two references, a diploma (including a grade transcript) and other documents you wish to be considered (e.g. letters of recommendation). Please provide the letter, CV and other documents in English. Those applicants who will be called for interview, will likely be asked to perform a small test to demonstrate basic competence.

Type of employment
Fixed-term employment, four years, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5 Section 7.

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment Enligt överenskommelse
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2020/1480
Contact
  • Laura Wisse, assistant professor, +46 708 650 246
  • Linnea Gard, personalsamordnare, +46 40 39 10 71
Union representative
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
Published 30.Apr.2020
Last application date 07.Jun.2020 11:59 PM CEST

Return to job vacancies