Pstdoctoral fellow within molecular Neuroanatomy
Lund University, Experimentell medicinsk vetenskap
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.
Description of the research group
The Molecular Neuroanatomy research group at the Department of Experimental Medical Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine conducts research in molecular and functional neuroanatomy with a focus on increasing the spatial precision of treatment methods such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and discovering the underlying neurobiological mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases in order to improve current treatment. Our primary focus is depression, anxiety and apathy in Parkinson's disease. We are part of the strategic research area MultiPark.
Read more about our exciting research here
The research group is led by Åsa Mackenzie.
We are now looking for a driven and knowledge-hungry postdoctoral fellow to work on identifying the connection between specific neurons within and near the subthalamic nucleus (an important target region for DBS in Parkinson's disease, among other things) and behavior relevant to reward, aversion, and motivation.
As a workplace, we value a good working environment founded on respect for our colleagues. Great importance is also placed on different types of collaboration.
Read more about the department here:
Project description
Our research group is working towards unravelling the neurobiology behind psychiatric symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases, primarily Parkinson's disease, with a focus on emotions, including depression. The subthalamic nucleus (STN), which regulates motor function, cognition, and emotions, exhibits pathology in Parkinson's disease, and is an important target area for the treatment of the disease´s motor symptoms with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Our goal is to find out how the STN functions in the normal state and in Parkinson's models, to find out what goes wrong in Parkinson's disease, and how Parkinson's symptoms can be better treated with precision stimulation, such as DBS. We are particularly interested in the neuropsychiatric symptom picture in Parkinson's disease and in developing better treatment. We have a specific interest in the anatomical-functional association within the STN, and in structures in its vicinity.
In order to obtain high neuroanatomical selectivity, we use transgenic mice with a focus on the Cre-Lox system, and specific promoters as well as viral vectors for optogenetic control of neuronal activity and models of Parkinson's disease. This postdoc project will investigate how different compositions of neurons in the relevant brain area respond to different types of stimulation, how this affects behavior and signaling in neuronal circuits. By comparing spatially selective signaling, for example through optogenetics, with the clinical treatment method DBS, the goal is to identify the optimal neurons for therapeutical stimulation leading to alleviation of non-motor symptoms, such as depression.
Tasks and responsibilities
As a Postdoctoral Fellow in the field of molecular neuroanatomy with a focus on neurobiological stimulation strategies for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, you are responsible for designing and executing the project, producing data, analyzing and reporting scientific projects in writing and orally, in collaboration with the research group leader and members of the group. Your tasks include laboratory animal handling including genotyping, stereotactic brain surgery, behavioral tests, optogenetics and/or chemogenetics (DREADDS). You will also use histological and molecular biological methods and microscopy.
The project is part of a larger research area and may also include administrative work and collaboration with other disciplines and research groups. Other tasks within the research group may also be relevant, such as involvement in other projects in the research group, administration, conference travel, presentations of research and supervision of students.
Qualifications
Requirements for the position are:
The position requires you to have a PhD in medical, biomedical, biological sciences or similar, with a focus on neurobiology or neuroscience.
Other requirements:
- Experience of working in a laboratory environment in neurobiological research, as well as GLP (Good Laboratory Praxis).
- Documented and solid experience of working with laboratory animals including mouse genetics (transgenic mice/genotyping), optogenetics and/or chemogenetics, stereotactic surgery and behavioral testing.
- Good scientific ability of planning and analyzing experiments.
- Positive attitude and an ambitious drive to succeed scientifically.
- Good ability to present research verbally and in writing.
- Personal skills and qualities required are independence, organizational skills, cooperation, ability to receive and follow instructions, perseverance, and a keen interest in the connection between brain structures and its function, especially emotion and motivation.
- Further personal qualities: you are meticulous, solution-focused, communicative, and open and receptive to learning.
Required laboratory knowledge and experience:
- Cre-LoxP system and mouse genetics.
- Stereotactic laboratory animal surgery such as implantation of viral vectors, measurement/stimulation electrodes, optical fiber.
- Optogenetics and/or chemogenetics (DREADDS).
- FELASA certificate for work with small animals in the laboratory.
- Programming for opto/chemogenetics and behavioral analysis.
- Histology, including sectioning and gene expression analysis (immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization) and analysis.
- Microscopy, including confocal microscopy.
- Good knowledge of data management and statistical methods for analysis of biomedical data.
Great importance will be placed on how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is assessed to have the ability needed to be able to conduct postdoctoral work.
Additional merits
- Additional merits include experience in supervision of students.
- Additional laboratory knowledge that is meritorious is the implementation of transcriptomics and bioinformatics.
More information
The position as Postdoc is a 2-year employment with starting date September 15 2025, or as agreed.
| Type of employment | Temporary position |
|---|---|
| Contract type | Full time |
| First day of employment | 2025-09-15 |
| Salary | Månadslön |
| Number of positions | 1 |
| Full-time equivalent | 100 |
| City | Lund |
| County | Skåne län |
| Country | Sweden |
| Reference number | PA2025/2042 |
| Contact |
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| Union representative |
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| Published | 18.Jun.2025 |
| Last application date | 19.Aug.2025 |