Uppsala University, Department of Neuroscience

At the Department of Neuroscience, we are working hard to increase our knowledge and insights into this area as well as into large areas of our musculoskeletal system and its disorders. A major objective with our research is to develop novel strategies to prevent and treat diseases and injuries in the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. By participating in different educational programs and courses, scientists at the Department communicate their knowledge to a wide range of future professional specialists – for example nurses, physicians, physiotherapists, speech pathologists and biomedical researchers.

We are about 130 employees, 100 graduate students and numerous young postdoctoral fellows. Moreover, a large number of professionals carry out research and teaching at Uppsala University Hospital (Akademiska sjukhuset) within the framework of the Department’s activity. Basic research is predominantly carried out the Uppsala University Biomedical Center (BMC) and clinical research at various units in Akademiska sjukhuset.

Duties/Project description: Neurons do not normally divide. As a rule, they lose the capacity to divide during the process of differentiation at the time when they leave the progenitor state and become a neuron. This project studies how neurons in the retina are formed and particularly how their final cell division, which is also denoted the terminal mitosis, is regulated. We have shown that some cell types in the developing retina violate this standard “non-divide” rule and divide as an immature neuron. Interestingly, the very same cell types are prone to develop cancer: retinoblastoma. The project will study the regulation of neuronal stem and progenitor cells and in particular the properties that make the cells more susceptible for cell cycle aberration during the terminal mitosis. The project will include studies of developing human retina from retinal organoids, derived from embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells. The project may also utilize animal models for the studies.

Requirements: Applicants must hold an academic degree equivalent to “Magister” in medicin, biomedicine, biology, pharmacy or equivalent. Good and documented theoretical knowledge in molecular-, cell- and tissue biology as well as developmental- and/or neurobiology is advantageous. Experience of eukaryotic cell culture, immunological analyses and gene expression analysis such as qRT-PCR or proteome and transcriptome analyses, is meriting. Experience of work with animals is also meriting. High motivation for doing research and capacity to work independently are important. The project involves collaborations and because we place great value in that all co-workers contribute to a good working environment, applicants must be able to cooperate well with colleagues and staff at the department. We value new ideas, and good applicants thus have a creative mind-set in order to find new approaches to the research problems we aim to solve. In order to interact and publish on an international arena we require applicants to be proficient English speakers and writers. Personal suitability will be a significant factor in the application process.

The PhD student is expected to carry out full time research training during the actual period in developmental neuroscience. The student will also be expected to take on departmental duties, such as equipment maintenance and teaching, to an extent corresponding to a maximum of 20% of the student’s employment time

Application:

  • A personal letter with a brief description of yourself and your research interests. Two pages written in English
  • CV with education, examina and other relevant merits including experience and techniques
  • Copies of diploma and degrees, bachelor or master thesis, and other documents you wish to invoke. All copies should have certification for authenticity.
  • Two references with full contact details. The relation of the applicant to the reference person should be indicated.

Rules governing Ph.D. candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/search/?hits=30&languageId=1&search-language_en=English

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students and teaching assistants.
 
Starting date: 2018-Oct or as agreed

Type of position: Full time position.

For further information about the position please contact Head of Department, Finn Hallböök, 018-471 4949, finn.hallbook@neuro.uu.se

Please submit your application by September 23rd 2018, UFV-PA 2018/2889.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Oktober 2018
Salary Fixed salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Uppsala
County Uppsala län
Country Sweden
Reference number UFV-PA 2018/2889
Union representative
  • Ellena Papaioannou, Seko, 018-471 3315
  • Suzanne Borén Andersson, TCO/ST, 018-471 6251
  • Per Sundman, Saco-rådet, 018-471 1485
Published 20.Aug.2018
Last application date 23.Sep.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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