Doctoral student in Medical Science - Autoimmune encephalitis

9 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Gothenburg

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

28 Jan 2024 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

1035--1-32897

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Doctoral position in Medical Science

Project title: Autoimmune encephalitis and its subgroups - Epidemiology and clinically relevant biomarkers

The Department of Clinical Neuroscience is located at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. The Department conducts research in neurology, neurosurgery, clinical neurophysiology, ophthalmology, rehabilitation medicine and experimental neuroscience in close collaboration with the Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The Department is responsible for courses in the educational programs for prospective physicians, biomedical analysts, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists. We also carry out commissioned educational programs in collaboration with the Department of Neurology at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital. There are around twenty research groups at the Department.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/doktorand/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true     

Duties   

The PhD education in Medical Science comprises carrying out a scientific project and completing at least 30 credits of courses at third-cycle level. The doctoral student must also write a scientific compilation thesis or monograph corresponding to at least 120 credits. For more information about third-cycle studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, see https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies

Project: Autoimmune encephalitis is a group of inflammatory diseases of the nervous system where the immune system reacts against the brain, leading to inflammation and damage. The diseases are relatively rare, and the incidence and prevalence in Västra Götaland County is unknown. The symptoms include epileptic seizures, psychiatric and cognitive manifestations and movement disorders with varying degrees of functional impairment. In addition to the assessment of clinical symptoms, the diagnosis is made with the support of different methods such as electrophysiological examination, magnetic camera or computed tomographic imaging of the brain and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSV). The diseases are treated with drugs that inhibit or modulate the immune system, the most common being intravenous steroids. The effect of treatment varies greatly for each individual patient and objective methods to be able to predict which patients have a worse prognosis and therefore need more extensive treatment are lacking.

The aim of the thesis is to calculate incidence and prevalence of autoimmune encephalitis in the Västra Götaland region and to analyze correlation between levels of biomarkers in CSV and blood and prognosis or other clinical factors. The goal is to be able to develop a simple and objective method to predict therapy response and guide treatment already at diagnosis in patients with autoimmune encephalitis. Included in studies are patients diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis in the Västra Götaland region from 2000-2022. During diagnostic examination of the patients, samples are taken from blood and CSV. The samples are saved at the laboratory for 10 years according to clinical routine, then destroyed. These samples will be analyzed for biomarkers. Information on age and gender as well as clinical symptoms during diagnosis and follow-up will be collected from the patient record. The symptoms are assessed on a validated functional scale. Incidence and prevalence are calculated as well as correlation between biomarkers in CSV and blood and symptoms at diagnosis and follow-up.

As the project involves processing of patient medical records, the candidate requires an understanding of the clinical manifestations of the disease. In addition, research experience in the field of autoimmune encephalitis is desirable. Good knowledge of the English language is assumed.

Education at third-cycle level comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.  As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.    

Eligibility   

Education at third-cycle level requires general eligibility and specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for education at third-cycle level are:    
1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.  
 
Specific entry requirements for this subject, according to the general syllabus, are: 
having completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies.   

Assessment criteria   

The selection of applicants who are considered to have the ability required to benefit from the study programme and who meet the general and specific eligibility requirements are assessed based on the following documented qualifications:
- specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
- experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
- scientific analysis and presentation verified through thesis, degree project, scientific journals or the like.    

Employment   

Once you have been admitted for education at third-cycle level, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg. The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100. Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time. A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at third-cycle level for four years.   

Location: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.    

Contact information 

For more information about the project please contact principal supervisor,
Markus Axelsson, Associate Professor, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology,
phone: +46 704564039, e-mail: [email protected]

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande      

Application   

You can apply to be admitted for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

You must include the following, in pdf format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies

If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier.  

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

For information on what you need to submit in order to fulfill the English language requirement see https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

  

Applications must be received by: 2024-01-29

 

 

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/  

  

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.

Requirements

Research Field

Medical sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Gothenburg

Country

Sweden

City

Göteborg

Postal Code

40530

Street

Medicinaregatan 3

Where to apply

Website

https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/main?site=7&validator=9b89bead79bb725…

Contact

City

Göteborg

Street

Medicinaregatan 3

Postal Code

40530

STATUS: EXPIRED