PhD position at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute funded by the TOUCH COFUND project

15 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)

Research Field

Biological sciences
Medical sciences » Epidemiology
Neurosciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

30 Jun 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101126533

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

No

Offer Description

Topic: Usefulness of multidomain markers in the course of post stroke and neurodegenerative dementias.

A PhD position is available at the Neurovascular Diseases Research Group from the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute under the supervision of Mar Hernández Guillamón (Neuroscience; Biochemistry; Biology) and María Pilar Delgado Martínez (Neuroscience; Medicine; Neurology). We are looking for a highly motivated candidate that will investigate the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of Mixed Alzheimer's disease (with cerebrovascular disease).

Data from numerous clinical-pathologic cohort studies have shown that mixed pathology, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology plus cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of dementia, particularly in older persons. However, most in vivo biomarkers and clinical trials focus on one specific underlying pathology contributing to cognitive impairment.

Our main aim in this project will be to deepen into the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of Mixed Alzheimer's disease (with cerebrovascular disease). In order to do so, we have generated a cohort of 200 consecutive patients with Typical Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n=140) and Mixed AD with cerebrovascular disease (Mixed AD/CVD) (n=60) with full clinical and neuropsychological and behavioral characterization at baseline and after 2-year follow-up. Biofluid (plasma and CSF) and imaging (MRI) markers will be explored in this cohort (and other pure vascular dementia cohorts) to evaluate their usefulness as diagnostic and prognostic markers.

In parallel, the contribution of the cerebrovascular pathology will be investigated in different in vivo AD models exhibiting or not different grades of vascular pathology (APP23 and 5xFAD transgenic mouse lines). Our aim will be to characterize the models in terms of neuroimaging (cerebral MRI, fMRI and DCE-MRI) in order to define those parameters related with BBB disruption and the appearance of ischemic and hemorrhagic brain lesions associated with advanced age, among other structural and functional parameters specifically altered when a significant alteration of the cerebrovasculature occurs caused by the brain beta-amyloid deposition in vivo. The association of the most relevant neuroimaging features with behavioral disfunction and with biological markers in body fluids, including cerebrospinal fluid or blood, will be accurately explored

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the  Neurosciences doctoral program at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in the framework of the TOUCH project. TOUCH (“Towards the next generatiOn of excellent yoUng doctoral researchers on mental health by developing an intersectoral & transdisciplinary approaCH”) is a new excellent doctoral programme co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Actions of the European Commission and led by the UAB for the recruitment and training of 24 doctoral candidates in the field of mental health and wellbeing.

The Neurovascular Research Lab at VHIR is a translational and multidisciplinary group dedicated to investigate the causes of stroke and dementia, and to develop new therapies for these devastating conditions. We are a large team, formed by neurologists, biologists, nurses, statisticians.

Our joint trajectory of work has been recognized with the accreditation as a “Consolidated Research Group” in three consecutive calls from the AGAUR-SGR. Our group also takes part of the National Research Stroke Network funded by ISCIII under the RETICS framework.

Currently, the group is composed by 19 members (including 4 principal investigators). The scientific production of the group has been reflected in several long-term national and international collaborations, in large manuscript production with our leadership, in high-impact collaborative publications in the neurosciences and cell biology fields and in teaching new neuroscientists.

We are looking for candidates with an excellent CV, ahigh degree of ambition and motivation, and with good personal qualities to work in our Team. We offer a 3-year full-time contract (37,5 hours/week) and a gross salary of 2.375 €/month (the salary will be the same for the 3 years).

The candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria from the EC: Mobility rule: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the deadline for the programme call. Experience rule: researchers must be doctoral candidates at the date of recruitment, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the open calls. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible. Candidates must hold a degree that allows admission to the official doctoral programme at UAB.

Additional requirements for a stronger application are:

• The candidate should demonstrate a strong interest in neuroscience, and clinical and translational research, a strong academic background and a diverse set of skills.
• A minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as health sciences, biology or a related discipline is required.
• Specialized coursework in areas like epidemiology, biostatistics, or pharmacology and a master's degree will be highly regarded.
• Additionally, familiarity with data analysis, statistical methods and the ability to interpret scientific literature are valuable.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for collaboration, protocol development and disseminating research findings.
• Technical proficiency in relevant tools and software, coupled with critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, are also valuable skills.
• Adaptability to experimental methodologies and a commitment to ethical research practices round out the skill set needed for this position.

Interested applicants should apply through the TOUCH online platform by submitting a full CV, a motivation letter, two letters of recommendation and academic and English level certificates. The call will be open from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 2024. More information about the TOUCH project, the recruitment process, and the application platform are available on the TOUCH website .

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Medical sciences » Epidemiology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Neurosciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)

Country

Spain

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://webs.uab.cat/touch/

Contact

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Barcelona

Website

https://vhir.vallhebron.com/en

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED