PhD student in Medical Sciences in the field of Psychoneuroendocrinology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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 160 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 Centre (BMC) and clinical research at various units in Akademiska sjukhuset, Uppsala University Hospital.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate interested in pursuing research within the field of Psychoneuroendocrinology. The PhD student position is placed in the research group Neuropsychopharmacology at the Department of Neuroscience, n in close collaboration with the Analytical Chemistry group at the department of Chemistry. More information about the Department and its’ activities are available at www.neuro.uu.se.

The doctoral project will be part of the WoMHeR – Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive lifespan center and the PhD student will be a central part of WoMHeR’s research environment. WoMHeR is a center focusing on key research issues regarding women’s mental health that was established at Uppsala University in 2019. WoMHeR aims at being a unique, strategically relevant, interdisciplinary research center, with focus on the contemporary global increase in mental health problems, especially among women (https://uu.se/forskning/womher/?languageId=1).

Project description: Overall the project aims to investigate the neural basis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The focus of the PhD student´s project will be on the following question: Are there diagnosis- and remission-related markers of brain structure and function? Magnetic resonance imaging is used to study the brain of before and during different pharmacological treatments. Mass-spectrometry will be used to analyse endocrine hormonal biomarkers. This new knowledge will advance our understanding of the biological and psychological underpinnings of the disorder.

Requirements: The applicant should hold an academic degree in Medicine, Bioinformatics, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry or related areas. We are looking for someone with experience in neuroimaging and neuroimaging data analysis, who has good basic knowledge within the areas of biostatistics, and molecular biology, and with a genuine interest in psychoneuroendocrinology. Good skills in spoken and written English are necessary.

The applicant must be able to work independently and be well organized. As a person, he/she should be highly motivated, thorough, systematic, and goal-oriented. She/he should also be good at working independently as well as in a group, and be fluent in written and spoken English. Special attention will be paid to documented experience and previous publications.

Your application should include a CV describing your academic progress to date and scientific publications. A personal letter with a brief description of yourself, your motivation, your competence and research interests as well as the name and e-mail address and phone number of two referees. A copy of your MSc certificate should be provided as well as a sample of the bachelor/master thesis. Applications are evaluated and approved according to eligibility, previous experience of work/research/studies within closely related fields and personal suitability.

Rules governing PhD students 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.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Starting date: As agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Associate professor Erika Comasco, Erika.Comasco@neuro.uu.se; Professor Jonas Bergquist, Jonas.Bergquist@kemi.uu.se; Professor Johan Wikström, Johan.Wikstrom@radiol.uu.se; Professor Inger Sundström-Poromaa, Inger.Sundstrom@kbh.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 17 August 2020, UFV-PA 2020/2451.

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.