Research Assistant to Nedergaard lab, Center for Translational Neuromedicine

The Center for Translational Neuromedicine at University of Copenhagen (UCPH) is seeking to hire an enthusiastic Research Assistant to contribute on several research projects in the group of Maiken Nedergaard. 

Center for Translational Neuromedicine (CTN) currently has 50 employees and students. CTN is characterized by a highly ambitious research environment. The academic employee will be part of the Nedergaard lab.  Being part of the Nedergaard lab offers an opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary lab engaged in neuroscience with a focus on the basic biology of glial cells in the CNS and the role of astrocytes in several neurological diseases, including stroke, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, tremor, and ALS. Research is aimed at defining new strategies for the treatment of neurological diseases that target astrocytic dysfunction.

CTN is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and is located at Panum. The Center comprises modern laboratories and excellent facilities within neuroscience.

Your job
Unlike the rest of the body, the brain parenchyma does not have lymphatic vessels to clear away waste products and excess fluid. Instead, a cleverly engineered mechanism relying on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), perivascular spaces, and astrocytes removes waste metabolites such as amyloid-β and lactate from the brain. The waste clearance system is called the glymphatic system. Intriguingly, the glymphatic system is activated by sleep, and brain cleaning might therefore be one of the very reasons behind our need to sleep. Sleep has many functions that are vital for our health and well-being, such as memory consolidation and immune function. With the discovery of the glymphatic system, waste clearance from the brain was added to this list. However, what drives the higher glymphatic flow in sleep is not fully understood.

We are looking for a research assistant who will assist in investigating the link between sleep and the glymphatic system in mice using techniques such as EEG/EMG, fiber photometry, miniscope imaging and intracisternal tracer injections. The qualified candidate will have experience with in vivo mouse work and rodent surgeries. The candidate should preferably already have taken the FELASA animal course by the time of applying for this position. Previous experience with EEG recordings from rodents and/or experience with cisterna magna injections are appreciated but not a requirement.

Qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious Research Assistant with a keen interest for understanding how sleep drives glymphatic clearance of the brain and how different technologies can be integrated in the study. Applicants with the following proficiencies will be regarded highly qualified and will be prioritized:

• MSc in neuroscience, human biology, molecular biology or similar
• Experience in working with mice and performing stereotaxic surgeries
• Experience with EEG recordings and/or fiber photometry and/or miniscope imaging is highly appreciated
• Basic knowledge of Matlab programming is highly appreciated
• A FELASA certificate that allows work with animals, or be willing to acquire one
• Motivated to work in a multidisciplinary research team, as well as independently, with an open communication style and a problem-solving attitude.
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Experience with techniques used for studying glymphatic flow such intracisternal tracer injections and ex vivo brain slice imaging is appreciated but not required

Main tasks of the appointed applicant:

• Plan and execute experiments
• Perform stereotaxic surgeries in rodents
• Analyze data
• Help with developing novel ways to investigate the glymphatic system

Start date
15 June 2023 – or after agreement.

Terms and conditions

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment are according to the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

The position is a full-time temporary position for one year. The successful candidate will refer to PI, Professor Maiken Nedergaard.

Application
The application must contain:

• Motivated letter of application
• Curriculum vitae
• List of publications if applicable
• Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database . Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

The deadline for the application is 19 April 2023.

Contact and inquiries
Further information about the Center for Translational Neuromedicine can be found at https://ctn.ku.dk/

Inquiries about the position can be made to postdoc Natalie Hauglund, [email protected] .

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.