PhD student in neuroscience - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

More than 400 teachers, doctors, researchers and doctoral students work at the Department of Neuroscience, in both clinical and basic scientific disciplines. The Department has activities at the University Hospital and at Uppsala University Biomedical Center. The position will be placed at the Uppsala University Hospital, where the clinical scientific disciplines, including psychiatry are hosted. More information regarding the Department of Neuroscience: https://www.neuro.uu.se

The Clinical Neurophysiology group offers a Ph.D. student position to a highly motivated candidate who will work on a research project which focuses on cell models of autoimmune neuromuscular diseases. Candidates with good knowledge and experience of cell culture and a genuine interest in neuroscience are encouraged to apply. The position is available immediately.

Clinical Neurophysiology is a highly interdisciplinary group that conducts both clinical and preclinical research and integrates molecular biology, stem-cell technology and electrophysiology. Our aim is to enhance the knowledge about electrical communication between motorneurons and muscle cells in normal and diseased states with the overarching goal to propose novel strategies for the treatment of neuromuscular disorders.

The project: The doctoral project will be carried out within an active research group at the Department of Neuroscience. The group's research concerns electrophysiology and how electrophysiological changes occur in human neurological diseases, primarily neuromuscular autoimmune disorders.

The aim of this project is to establish a platform to study pathophysiological mechanisms in the human neuromuscular synapse in vitro by combining human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology and high density microelectrode arrays (HD-MEA).

These cutting-edge arrays comprise thousands of planar microelectrodes packed in an area of ~8 mm2, providing subcelluar resolution of electrogenic cells. Each electrode can both stimulate and record, enabling bidirectional communication with any cell on the array. The main goals are to:

Establish a robust model for human neuromuscular synapse directly on HD-MEA using iPSC technology Study the molecular mechanisms that cause autoimmune myasthenia gravis and characterize how different antibodies cause neuromuscular signaling disorder Electrophysiological characterization of the effect of different treatments for neuromuscular transmission disorder

Duties: The position involves independently conducting scientific projects in the field, with the support of the supervisor. The tasks involve cell culture, including iPSCs, immunohistochemistry, registration of electrophysiological signals via HD-MEAs and molecular biological work such as qPCR, western blot etc. Writing scientific papers and scientific presentations are also included in the service. As a doctoral student, you can teach during lab moments or seminars on courses, however up to 20% of the position, when the need arises within the program.

Eligibility: We are looking for you with a master's degree, with a focus on molecular biology. You must be highly motivated in your studies and your research and have a good ability to work independently. You should have a great interest in doctoral studies in cell models. You are expected to take your own initiatives and have a good ability to collaborate with others within and outside your research group. A prerequisite for the position is that you can independently grow muscle and nerve cells, perform molecular biological (PCR, etc.) analyzes and perform immunohistochemistry and western blot. As the service is in an international environment, you must also have good knowledge of expressing yourself in English, both orally and in writing. Finally, great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability such as; linguistic analytical ability, problem-solving analytical ability, personal maturity, perseverance, stability, ability to work together, take initiative and the ability to work in a structured manner and with good judgment.

Other merits: Previously documented experience of working with cell culture, especially muscle and nerve cells, as well as iPSCs, is a strong merit.

Passed grades in necessary courses to work with cells from experimental animals (ie that follow the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Association's syllabus for FELASA category C. Ex. Experimental Animal Science 4.5hp UU) are meritorious Ability to independently perform staining, microscopy and qPCR is a strong merit

In order to be eligible you will have to be registered as a Ph.D. student. The rules governing this process can be found (in Swedish) in Högskoleförordningen 5 kap 1-7 §§ and in the legislations of the Uppsala University http://regler.uu.se/.

Application procedure: Your application must include:

CV motivation letter where research interests, knowledge and why you are interested in this position are explained, max 2 pages publication list and / or copy of master's thesis study documentation letter of recommendation, maximum 2 letters

Salary: According to the local salary agreement for PhD students

Access: 2021-05-01 or as otherwise agreed.

Employment form: Time limited employment according to HF 5 kap § 7

Extent of employment: 100%

Information: Professor Anna Rostedt Punga, tel. +46 18 471 4941, e-post anna.rostedt.punga@neuro.uu.se. Information about the research group can be found: https://www.neuro.uu.se/research/research-groups/clinical-neurophysiology/

Welcome with your application latest by April 15, 2021, UFV-PA 2021/694.