Postdoctoral fellow for glymphatic brain clearance project

Description of the workplace

We are offering a position to work in neuroscience research.
The work in the Glia–Immune Interactions laboratory centers on the glial-lymphatic (glymphatic) system, a clearance pathway for solutes and proteins in the brain, and its role in CNS diseases. Disruption of the system during disease and aging may increase vulnerability to neurodegenerative disorders or exacerbate pathology in existing neurodegenerative conditions.

The aim of our laboratory is to deepen our understanding of the glymphatic system and to enhance brain clearance through this system in order to cure or prevent neurodegenerative diseases. The lab uses animal models of disease and in vivo imaging to study the glymphatic system in health and disease. The research is highly translational and uses models that are relevant to human pathology.

The laboratory is located at the Biomedical Centre in Lund. Within the research group, we prioritize a positive work environment where respect and care characterize our interactions. We continuously work to create conditions that promote job satisfaction, professional development, and engagement for all group members. We are committed to both physical safety and the psychosocial work environment. The group is international and regularly hosts visiting researchers and master’s students.

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher for a new project within the research group. The projects within the group are related to the glymphatic system and Alzheimer’s disease.

Description of the project

The postdoctoral researcher will work on a new project within a Nordic consortium recently funded by the Lundbeck Foundation. The overall aim of the project is to test whether existing drugs can enhance brain-to-blood clearance. The work will be carried out in collaboration with other Nordic partner laboratories within the consortium.

Together, the consortium partners have developed a new strategy for a real-time brain clearance assay using a biotin-linked protein, where the strong and specific interaction between biotin and streptavidin can be used to achieve maximal signal-to-noise and detection of picomolar levels of protein in the blood. The laboratory’s part of the project is to test and optimize this new strategy and subsequently use it to evaluate different drugs.

The project is conducted in close collaboration with partners across the Nordic countries, and results are communicated with them both online and during in-person meetings.

Work duties and responsibilities

At Lund University, a postdoctoral position should provide opportunities for scientific and pedagogical qualifications. Primarily, there is scope for qualifications in research, but also for some higher education pedagogy training. Teaching may also be part of the job duties.

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for testing the relevant drugs and comparing them with appropriate control molecules using streptavidin-based fluorescence detection of the injected biotin. This means that the postdoc will independently develop and validate the functionality of a specific clearance pathway from intraparenchymal protein to blood, with input and supervision from the group leader. The aim is to develop the use of biotin for streptavidin-based detection in order to achieve the highest possible sensitivity in the brain-to-blood clearance assay.

This is a new method, developed at a theoretical level specifically for this consortium, and our laboratory therefore has no prior experience with it. It is therefore essential that the postdoc can work independently on the task and critically evaluate their own work. The postdoc will perform fluorescence measurements in plasma samples. The postdoc will also prepare brain sections to determine how much biotin-protein remains in the brain following intraparenchymal injections. They will be responsible for statistical analysis and for presenting results with representative images.

The postdoc will participate in online meetings and in-person meetings in the Nordic countries with the consortium partners. They will report progress to the group leader once a week. The postdoc will receive an introduction to the laboratory and its basic methods, as well as supervision and scientific sparring from the group leader in the steps the group has not previously carried out.

Since this is a new project, the postdoc will be responsible for applying for the animal ethics permit required for these experiments. The postdoc is expected to contribute to other ongoing research projects in the group as needed. 

Qualifications

Requirements for the position are:

• PhD degree or equivalent foreign degree in neuroscience, biomedicine, or a related field. The PhD degree must be completed at the time the employment decision is made.
• Strong ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• Pedagogical ability.
• Good communication skills.
• Good experience of English in both spoken and written form.
• Documented experience working with research animals.
• Experience with statistical analysis.

Meritorious for the position are:

• Priority will be given to applicants who have completed their degree no more than three years before the application deadline. 
• Publications related to the glymphatic system.
• LAS certification for working with animals within the EU.
• Experience writing animal ethics applications.
• Documented experience with intraparenchymal injections.

The assessment of applicants will be based primarily on their scientific merit and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

We offer

Lund University is a governmental authority, which means you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favorable occupational pension. We also have a flexible time agreement that creates good conditions for a balance between work and leisure.

Read more on the university's website about being employed at Lund University, Work with us.

About the employment

The position is a fixed-term position of two years, 100% with desired start date on 12026-01-15 or as agreed. Employment at Lund University is conducted in Sweden, you are therefore expected to be able to perform your work on site in Lund. 

The employment is limited to a minimum of two years, maximum three years, according to the collective agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher (the Swedish Employers' Association). A postdoctoral position is intended as an initial step in a career and as an opportunity to further deepen and broaden research expertise.

How to apply

The position is sought via the university’s recruitment system. Applications should include a personal motivation letter, in which you describe how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. The application must also contain a diploma, CV or equivalent and anything else you wish to refer to (copies of grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

More information regarding the Faculty of Medicine