Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för folkhälso- och vårdvetenskap

Research group: The research group of Molecular Geriatrics is located at the Rudbeck Laboratory and our research is focused on treatment and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. The research is conducted in collaboration with other research groups internationally and in Sweden, as well as with various pharmaceutical companies. The present project, BioClotAD, is conducted within the European Union’s Joint Program for Neurodegenerative Diseases (JPND) in collaboration with research groups in Spain and Germany.

Background: Biologics, such as antibodies, enzymes and other proteins, make up a large part of newly developed drugs and are also increasingly used as in vivo diagnostics. Drug development for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease is hampered by the blood-brain barrier, which hinders protein based drugs and diagnostic probes to reach the brain. The research group has therefore developed a concept for receptor mediated transcytosis of bispecific antibodies and other proteins or peptides, which markedly increases their brain uptake, with the aim to use them for in vivo diagnosis with medical imaging methods such as positron emission tomography (PET).

Job description: The over-all objective of the current project is to study and further develop protein- and peptide-based PET ligands for diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, the project aims to develop peptide-based PET ligands for early detection of blood clots, which can form in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients. To increase brain uptake of the peptide ligands, they will be chemically linked to brain penetrating antibody fragments, then labeled with different PET-compatible radionuclides. The work also includes evaluation of the ligands, in vitro with various immunological methods and with in vivo imaging techniques in models of Alzheimer’s disease. Ligands targeting different types of protein aggregates may also be evaluated. The work will mainly be carried out at the Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, but also involves collaboration with international project partners. The applicant is expected to continuously report results and to summarize findings in scientific papers.

Required qualifications: The applicant must have a doctoral degree biochemistry/biotechnology, analytical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, radiochemistry, organic chemistry or similar. Experience of independent work with peptide or protein modifications is a demand and the applicant is expected to master analytical and preparative chromatographic separation methods as well as analyses of protein interactions. The applicant must have a good knowledge of written and spoken English.

Additional qualifications: Relevant postdoctoral research merits, preferably within the same area of research. Experience with preclinical in vivo PET or SPECT imaging and autoradiography as well as cell culture, production and quality control of proteins, biochemical coupling of proteins/peptides and immunological methods such as immunhistochemistry, ELISA and Western blot is a merit. Documented experience with project leading and supervision of students as well as previous acquirement of external research grants is also a merit.

Application: The application must contain a cover letter describing the applicant’s background and research interests, an updated CV including a list of previous publications, as well as copies of diplomas and certificates of higher academic degrees. Please also attach contact details (name, e-mail, phone number) to two referees.

Salary: Individual salary.

Starting date: As agreed.

Scope: 100%

Type of employment: Temporary position 24 months.

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 28 October 2021, UFV-PA 2021/3211.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Uppsala
County Uppsala län
Country Sweden
Reference number UFV-PA 2021/3211
Union representative
  • Seko Universitetsklubben, seko@uadm.uu.se
  • ST/TCO, tco@fackorg.uu.se
  • Saco-rådet, saco@uadm.uu.se
Published 27.Aug.2021
Last application date 28.Oct.2021 11:59 PM CEST

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