Doctoral Candidate Position 7 - University of Aarhus, Denmark
Identify the disease relevant molecular pathways in peripheral monocytes during Parkinson's disease development
Description of project
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the fastest growing neurodegenerative disease and as today it has no cure. Research data supports an important role for the immune cells in brain and periphery in PD, and suggest the chronic inflammation observed in patients contribute to the PD neuronal loss. To explore possible immunomodulatory targets in peripheral cells we will use novel data that the lab has obtained from single cell RNA sequencing of peripheral blood monocytes from people with different PD suptype sand at differnet disease stages. Differentially regulated genes will be validated by analysis of monocytes in different PD patient cohorts by conventional flow and PCR. Moreover, we will evaluate the potential of differentially regulated genes to modify monocyte physiology and their response to disease relavant α-synuclein using cell cultures approaches. Since T-cells have been shown to influence neuronal death in PD, we will study how this modification will affect monocytes and dendritic cells to interact with T cells activating adaptive immunity after exposure to α-synuclein. Selected targets will also be tested in vivo by using transgenic or knock-out mice and/or immunomodulatory drugs where α-synuclein PD neurodegeneration will be modelled. We will evaluate adaptive immunity, immune cell migration to brain, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. The project integrates techniques from in vivo modelling, and cell culture, histology and advanced microscopy, flow cytometry and other single cell techniques providing a multidisciplinary approach to investigating immune regulation in PD. Ultimately, this work could lead to the identification of novel drugs that modulate, offering potential new avenues for treating PD and related disorders.
Required selection criteria
- Excellent track record in relation to the opportunity
- Completed two years (120ECTS) Master's degree (or equivalent) in Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry or related
- Very good communication and collaboration skills and fluency in English
Preferred selection criteria
- Experience in working with immune cells and/or neurobiology
- Experience with laboratory animal work and/or cell culture
- Experience in time management and teamwork
- Above-average commitment, ability to work independently and integrate into an interdisciplinary team
- Scientific curiosity and passion
- Strong work ethic
Specific Requirements
- Must not already hold a doctoral degree
- Must comply with the MSC Action mobility rule: not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.
- The applicant must have a relevant higher education degree. The educational level will be assessed to determine whether it comply with entry requirements (120 ECTS credits or a similar relevant five-year degree programme). If the applicant holds a degree other than a Danish Master's degree, the degree is assessed by the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education - please find more information
- Excellent communication skills in English are considered essential, and the applicant must be able to read, write, and speak academic English fluently. English language requirement is comparable to a minimum of TOEFL 83 or IELTS 6.5 or CEFR C1-level. Documenting required proficiency in English is mandatory at the time of enrolment (We accept test results that are more than two years old). This means, you can apply without documenting required language skills, but you cannot be enrolled without submitting the required documentation.
Benefits
- Access to state-of-the-art training within the BICEPS doctoral network, at an academic, and industry level
- Opportunities to collaborate with discipline specific world leading researchers
- A mobility allowance to support relocation
- A family allowance for the relocation of family (terms and conditions apply)
Terms of employment (at AU)
- Appointment as a PhD requires academic qualifications at two years master's degree level (120 ECTS).
- Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
- The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
- Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.
Eligibility criteria
Aarhus University's ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research.
Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP) and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers.
Selection process
The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English. Applications should include:
- Complete CV (name, address, degree(s) with transcript(s) of grades, research experience, educational and employment history, publications etc.)
- Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees
- A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
- Names, contact details (including email addresses) of at least two referees
If all, or parts, of your education have been completed abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.
Please use the harmonized Application Form before the deadline of 15-February 2025. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. Applications will be accepted until this deadline and considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Applications submitted by post or email will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal and interpersonal qualities.
Additional comments
Dept of Biomedicine, Aarhus University
The department of Biomedicine prioritises diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a diverse and international research environment, dedicated employees are looking to generate new knowledge within biomedical research areas such as infection and inflammation, membranes, neuroscience and personalised medicine. The Department of Biomedicine provides research-based teaching of the highest quality and is responsible for a large part of the medical degree programme. Academic staff contribute to the teaching. English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The department employs approx. 500 people from all over the world, and they make use of the department's modern laboratory-, core- and animal facilities. The Department of Biomedicine focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry, and numerous researchers from the department have established companies to develop new medicinal treatments founded in professional scientific basic research. You can read more about the department at this website and about the faculty at this website.
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 39,000 students (FTEs) and 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 884 million. Learn more at this website.
Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark at this website. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Development Programme. You can read more about it at this website.