Postdoc in synucleinopathy research

The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of synucleinopathy research as per 15 June 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 2 years.

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 here and about the faculty here .

About the research project

Neuropathologically, Parkinson’s disease and related synucleinopathies are characterized by cell loss in certain neuronal populations and the appearance of characteristic proteinaceous inclusions in neurons and/or glial cells of the central nervous system. However, smaller species of alpha-synuclein aggregates are believed to confer much of the cellular dysfunction and toxicity. Until recently, such species have been undetectable in situ in both post-mortem tissue and models, but the development of alpha-synuclein proximity ligation assays has changed this. This project study the biology of these hitherto undetectable aggregates with a focus to develop, validate, and implement new and improved alpha-synuclein proximity ligation assays, usable across synucleinopathy models (whether human-, non-human primate- or rodent-based) as well as post-mortem human tissue.

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc in synucleinopathy research your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, but you will be the key lead on the research project.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Independent research of high international quality, including publication.
• Development and implementation of immunocytochemical and -histochemical assays, particularly proximity ligation assays.
• Advanced microscopy and automation of quantitative image analysis.
• Management of research projects and international collaborations.
• Supervision of students in the lab.

You will report to the Professor Poul Henning Jensen.

Your competences

You have academic qualifications at PhD level, for example within neuroscience or biomedicine. You are expected to have an in-depth knowledge of alpha-synuclein neuropathology and pathogenesis in synucleinopathies. Extensive experience with optimization and implementation of proximity ligation assays is required, as well as proficiency in common microscopy systems and quantitative image analysis. You should have practical experience in working with cell models, ex vivo tissue cultures, in vivo mouse models, and post-mortem human paraffin sections.

As a person, you are ambitious, take ownership of and responsibility for your work, and possess good communication and interpersonal skills. You are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment.

We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.

In order to be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria .

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Poul Henning Jensen tel.: (+45) 2899 2056.

Your place of work will be the Department of Biomedicine, Ole Worms Allé 6, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Terms of employment

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - postdoc
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
• Research plan can be uploaded (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s

Guidelines for applicants

.

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.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services

here

. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources

here

.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.