PhD student in the Field of Diagnostics and Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases

The Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences belongs to the Medical Faculty and conducts extensive research through our 11 research groups, including areas such as public health science, caring science, speech pathology, and bioethics. Additionally, the department offers education within the medical program, nursing programs, speech pathology program, master's program in public health, as well as several standalone courses. We have a total of approximately 370 staff members, including our associated researchers and doctoral students. Read more about us here.

The Molecular Geriatrics research group at the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences is placed at the Rudbeck Laboratory. The group conducts several research projects focused on the therapy and diagnostics of neurodegenerative diseases. The research is carried out in collaboration with university groups both in Sweden and internationally, as well as with various pharmaceutical companies.

Biological drugs account for a significant portion of newly developed medicines and are also used in in vivo diagnostics. This is also true for neurodegenerative diseases, where immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies is a leading strategy for treating Alzheimer's disease. However, the development of biological drugs for brain diseases is complicated by the blood-brain barrier, which prevents large molecules from entering the brain. Therefore, the research group has developed a concept for receptor-mediated transcytosis of bispecific antibodies and other proteins, which significantly increases their uptake in the brain. The overall goal of the project is to develop antibody-based therapies and diagnostics for brain diseases

Duties
The overall goal of the doctoral project is to identify and study proteins whose expression or distribution is altered in neurodegeneration and then generate brain-penetrating antibodies that bind to these proteins. These antibodies will then be used to develop new diagnostics, such as PET and SPECT radioligands, or for therapeutic applications to investigate whether the antibodies affect pathology in models of neurodegenerative diseases. The work thus involves both in vitro work, primarily immunological and histological methods, and in vivo studies in models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Requirements
The applicant must have completed a university education at the master's degree in biomedical sciences, natural sciences, pharmacy, or an equivalent program. To be eligible for doctoral studies the applicant must have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way. The applicant must have knowledge of the following methods: immunohistochemistry, microscopy, ELISA, and work with in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases. The applicant must have completed a course and obtained a permit for in vivo work. The applicant should also have experience in data analysis using Excel, GraphPad, and Image J. A good ability to express oneself in English, both in writing and speaking, is required.

Additional qualifications
Experience in research focused on neurodegenerative diseases is advantageous. It is also desirable for the applicant to have experience with the following techniques: protein production and purification, cell culture, radiolabelling of proteins, preclinical PET, microdialysis, analysis of pharmacokinetic data, and PCR. Experience and training in working with radioactivity are considered merits. It is also considered advantageous if the applicant can demonstrate a thesis or previous work experience in preclinical research on neurodegenerative diseases. Co-authorship in published research in international peer-reviewed journals is also advantageous.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Stina Syvänen, stina.syvanen@uu.se 

Please submit your application by 31st of July 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2070.

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