Senior Lecturer in molecular geriatrics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The laboratory of Molecular Geriatrics is situated at Rudbeck laboratory and is closely connected to the clinical activities of the memory disorder unit at the University hospital. Our research is focused on protein deposition in neurodegenerative diseases and is performed in collaboration with national and international research groups as well as with biomedical companies.

Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are causing much suffering for the patients and their families and today no therapies are available to treat these neurodegenerative conditions. It has been shown that aggregated forms of the proteins amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein play a central role for the development of the diseases, and novel methods to quantify and visualized the levels of these proteins have been established. The development of PET-based imaging has been particularly important and insoluble aggregated amyloid-beta, e.g. amyloid-beta plaques, can today be visualized with the technique. However, other forms of amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein that seem to be centrally involved in the diseases cannot as of yet be imaged with PET.

To strengthen our investment within this research field, we are advertising for a Senior Lecturer in molecular geriatrics, focusing on neuropharmacology and preclinical development of novel methods for medical imaging of neurodegenerative diseases.

Duties: The position involves research, teaching and administration. The senior lecturer will be responsible for the development and implementation of basic, advanced and doctoral education in the field of molecular geriatric with a focus on the development of techniques for improved imaging of pathological changes and effects of pharmacological treatments, in the Alzheimer and Parkinson brain. The position includes course responsibility, course administration and supervision of doctoral students. Moreover, the senior lecturer is required to follow the developments within the research field and the development of other aspects important for the work. Administrative tasks as well as internal and external trust assignments may occur.The duties also include supervision of postdoctoral researchers, PhD students and master project students, to actively carry out national and international collaboration projects and apply for research grants for the actual research. The senior lecturer will also share course responsibility and teaching at the undergraduate level in the area of molecular neurodegeneration.

Eligibility requirements: According to the Higher Education Ordinance, a person who has obtained a doctorate or equivalent scientific competence and who has shown both scientific and pedagogical skills is eligible to be employed as a university lecturer. The pedagogical skills, scientific competence and professional skills need to be relevant to the content and tasks of the employment. According to Uppsala University's employment arrangement (AO), the person who is to be employed as a university lecturer must also have undergone relevant educational training, covering ten weeks or acquired equivalent knowledge. If there are special reasons, the higher education pedagogical education can be carried out during the first two years of the employment. In addition, according to AO, teachers need to have the personal qualities required to perform the job well. Also, applicants must have a documented ability to teach in Swedish and English unless special reasons exist. The holder of this position is expected to be able to teach in Swedish within two years.

For this specific position, the applicant should also have solid experience in the research field of experimental and translational PET imaging in neurodegeneration. It is a merit if the applicant has demonstrated scientific competence through independent research efforts of high international quality. It is a requirement that the applicant has been the main supervisor for several doctoral students, at least one of whom must have defended his or her thesis at the time of application. In addition, the applicant must have many years of experience in supervising project students.

It is desirable that the applicant should have experience in teaching undergraduate courses in neuroscience. Documented ability to teach in Swedish and English is a requirement. The applicant must have completed relevant university courses in educational development. Such courses, together with PhD student supervision and academic leadership courses should together comprise at least the equivalent of ten weeks. The applicant should have a distinct plan for the scientific activity during the coming years. Hence, a research plan of a maximum of five pages should be included in the application, as well as a list of recently received research grants. It is qualifying if the applicant has been opponent at doctoral dissertations and have ongoing national and international collaborations. Previous international post doc position(s) and other experiences from abroad are also a merit.

Assessment Criteria: The ranking of eligible applicants will be based primarily on research and teaching expertise, of which weight will primarily be given to research expertise.

When assessing scientific proficiency, a particular emphasis will be placed on research credentials that strengthen and actively contribute to molecular geriatric research focusing on the role of astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease conducted at the Department of Public Health and Care Sciences. When assessing scientific skills, scientific quality will be emphasized. The importance of the research, especially its depth and breadth, will also be measured. The ability to plan, initiate, lead and develop research and education at the research level, the ability to obtain funding for research, as well as a demonstrated ability for interaction both in the scientific and in the surrounding society will also be important. When assessing pedagogical skills, pedagogical quality will be emphasized. The depth and breadth of these skills will also be given importance. Furthermore, the ability to plan, initiate, lead and develop education and teaching, as well as the ability to relate the teaching to the actual research topics and apply didactical skills and higher education pedagogics will be important. The ability to interact on higher education pedagogical issues with actors within and outside the university will also be of importance.

Assessment criteria; other proficiency: Expertise in the areas of management and in administration are important for the appointment and weight will be assigned to both. Attention will also be paid to the ability to collaborate within an organisation and with the wider community. Ability to cooperate with the community at large, and to inform others of research and development, will also be taken into account. See also Anställningsordning för Uppsala universitet (AO) §§ 28-31 och RB §§ 9-10.

The applicant’s parental leave, part-time work due to care of children or the like will count as qualifying work experience.

Guidelines and assessment criteria

For instructions regarding applications for teaching positions, see: Career-portfolio Rules and guidelines

Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University

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: Individually negotiated salary.

Starting date: as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Permanent full-time position. 

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Professor Martin Ingelsson tel. +46 (0)18-471 4107, e-mail: Martin.Ingelsson@pubcare.uu.se

Please submit your application by 2 December 2019, UFV-PA 2019/2991.

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.

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.