PhD position in the field of PET imaging in neurodegenerative disorders - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Research group: The research group of Molecular Geriatrics is located at the Rudbeck Laboratory and is closely linked to the memory clinic at the Uppsala University Hospital. Our research is focused on diagnosis, treatment and mechanistic studies of neurodegenerative diseases. The research is conducted in collaboration with other research groups internationally and in Sweden, as well as with various pharmaceutical companies.

Position 1 – fluorine-18 labelling of antibodies

Job description:

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, there is a need to reliably and non-invasively diagnose Parkinson’s disease as well as to follow the disease progression in the brain and measure effects of disease modifying treatment. The medical imaging technique positron emission tomography (PET) is an attractive diagnostic method, since no invasive sampling is required, and thus, a method causing very little discomfort to the patients. The over-all aim of the project is to develop PET imaging for diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, this project will focus on PET imaging with bispecific, brain penetrating antibodies. Strategies will be developed for antibody radiolabelling with bioorthogonal click chemistry using fluorine-18 labelled tetrazines. Both direct labelling and pretargeted imaging approaches will be evaluated. The project involves both in vitro and in vivo work and will primarily be conducted at Uppsala University (Rudbeck laboratory) and the Uppsala University Hospital PET centre. Apart from research, the PhD student may participate in teaching, and is expected to attend international scientific meetings and stay at an external research institution.

This PhD position is financed by the EU via a Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN-ETN action. As such, the PhD fellowship is a part of a training programme, PET-AlphaSy, consisting of 15 PhD students located in 5 European countries (Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium). The PhD student will attend common training sessions, e.g. within imaging or radiopharmaceutical chemistry, and have secondments at the corresponding partner universities or companies.

Qualifications required:

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic student for a PhD position. We welcome applications from candidates that already have, or who expect to soon have, a Master of Science degree in biomedicine, engineering, chemistry, natural sciences, pharmacy, medicine or similar. Experience with radiochemistry, biochemistry, histology (including immunohistochemistry), protein analysis (ELISA, Western blotting, chromatography), pharmacokinetics, in vivo imaging techniques (e.g. PET, SPECT or MR), and in vivo models is an advantage. The applicant must be fluent in in English with excellent communication skills.

Formal requirements and eligibility:

At the time of commencement, it is required that the candidate has not been awarded a PhD degree and is within the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of his/her research career. Furthermore, the candidate must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment.

Application: 

The application should be written in English and contain a cover letter describing the applicant’s research interests, an updated CV including a list of previous publications (if any), as well as copies of diplomas and certificates of higher academic degrees. Also include information about previous experience of research and why you would like to be enrolled as a PhD student. Please also attach contact details (name, e-mail, phone number) to two referees and/or letters of recommendation.

Selection Process:

Selection of candidates is based on qualifications, previous work and/or research experience within the field of medical and pharmaceutical sciences, and personal suitability. Shortlisted candidates will be called for interviews within three weeks after the application deadline and the final selection will be made by the Appointment committee of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN-ETN consortium. The enrolment will then be approved by the Medicine and Pharmacy disciplinary domain at Uppsala University.

Position:

The graduate program covers four years of full-time study. The position can be combined with teaching or other duties at the department (maximum 20%), which prolongs the employment with the corresponding time. The salary will be set according to local agreements for PhD students in accordance with the rules and regulations laid down by European Union’s Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Initial Training Networks.

Rules governing PhD 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/?languageId=1

More information about the MC-ITN-ETN AlphaSy programme can be found at https://www.alphasy.eu/. Information about PhD studies at the medical faculty at Uppsala University can be found at: http://www2.medfarm.uu.se/utbildning/forskarniva/

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students and teaching assistants.
 
Starting date: 1 February 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Type of position: Full time position.

For further information about the position please contact
Associate Professor Dag Sehlin (dag.sehlin@pubcare.uu.se) or Associate Professor Stina Syvänen (stina.syvanen@pubcare.uu.se).

Please submit your application by 1 December 2018, UFV-PA 2018/3587.

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.