Doctoral student in experimental Neurosurgery - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The department has a broad network of collaborations, both within the faculty and other units at the University. The Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund also has a well-developed collaboration with the Skåne University Hospital (SUS) and Region Skåne as well as the surrounding society and the business sector, to benefit clinical and experimental translational research, development and education.

The Research Group

The research at the LUBIN Laboratory is focused on translational preclinical and clinical brain injury research with the aim of identifying new therapeutic targets that may improve recovery after traumatic brain injury applicable for further development in clinical trials and in clinical practice. The group has one group leader, three senior researchers and two laboratory engineers. The group is placed at the Biomedical Center (BMC), A13 Lund.  

In this group, we aim for a good working environment with respect and concern in our relationship with others. We continuously work at creating possibilities for work satisfaction, development and participation for all coworkers.

We now seek a PhD candidate for a time-limited employment of 4 years according to HF 5 kap 7§ with the proposed starting date of 2021-09-01.

Work description

This PhD position is aimed to pursue the following studies  

1. Characterize the response of the oligodendrocytes following experimental traumatic brain injury, including in models of sports-related concussions
2. Study if changes in the oligodendrocyte, oligodendrocyte pathology, can induce alterations of neuronal function and neurodegeneration with a focus on amyloid-beta and tau
3. Study of the effects of dendritic spine morphology and function by traumatic brain injury, and how this can be modulated by anti-inflammatory treatments

The work description also includes to perform these studies independently with the above-mentioned aims, including the conduction of the experiments, their evaluation, documentation and presentation of results.

In addition, mentoring and supervision of students at the grundutbildningen (kandidatexamen och magisterstudenter) while performing experimental studies at the laboratory.

Qualifications

Requirements for the position:

• masters degree in molecular genetics and biotechnology with focus on experimental stroke or brain injury research
• Experience of in vivo and in vitro stroke and brain injury models, work in vitro with neuronal, astrocytic and/or microglial primary cultures
• solid theoretical knowledge on brain injury pathophysiology and mechanisms for neuronal cell detah and neurodegeneration.

Much emphasis will be placed on personal qualifications that include good capacities for independent work, analytical abilities and methods of moving the projects forward. Furthermore, the candidate must have good communicative skills, be thorough and careful in his/her work, have good skills in developing and conduct research of very high quality and show a high degree of scientific curiosity.

Of value for the position:

• Documented knowledge and experience on routine laboratory techniques (biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology)
• Documented knowledge and experience on advanced imaging analysis
• experience of brain injury research, in vivo managing and breeding of laboratory animals
• Experience in writing research reports and writing scientific publications
• Experience in identifying potential mechanisms for recovery after brain injury

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. 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.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

Instructions on how to apply
The application shall contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Applications shall also include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.