Doctoral student in Medical Science - Mechanisms of gut-brain

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Doctoral position in Medical Science

Project title: The gut-brain conversation: constant or ever-changing?

The Department of Physiology is located at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. The Department conducts research within the area of physiology. Several projects involve a close collaboration with the Sahlgrenska University Hospital. We offer undergraduate courses as parts of study programs in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Speech and language pathology, Dental hygiene, Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy and the bachelor program of Cognitive Science. The research groups at the Department represent a broad range of research areas within the field of physiology.

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     

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: The overarching goal of our research group is to delineate how gut-brain communication, contributes to the control of metabolism and behavior. Key players in gut-brain communication are vagal sensory neurons, which inform the brain about the state of the body (how full our stomach is, how fast we breathe…). This sensory information shapes vital behaviours such as eating, reward or anxiety. Visit our website for more details: www.thevagalab.com .

We and others found that the sensitivity of vagal neurons to bodily signals vary based on the energy status (ie, positive energy balance after a meal or negative energy balance after fasting or exercise), which profoundly affects related behaviours. Hence, the overall objective of this doctoral project is to characterize how shifts in energy balance affect vagal sensory neurons and to understand the underlying mechanisms. To achieve this goal, you will conduct behavioral neuroscience studies in rats and mice. You will use cutting-edge techniques to characterize (in vivo neuronal activity, transcriptomics) and manipulate (selective lesions, chemogenetic, optogenetic) gut-brain circuits. These techniques will be combined with experimental manipulations of energy balance (weight gain/loss) and assessment of relevant metabolic and behavioral parameters. Overall, this project will provide a dynamic understanding of gut-brain communication in different energy balance contexts. It will also facilitate the development of therapies targeting vagal neurons against metabolic or behavioral disorders associated with chronic disruption of energy balance.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in integrative physiology and neuroscience. You are curious and have the ability to work independently in an interdisciplinary research environment. Ability to analyse large datasets is an asset. Very good knowledge of spoken and written English is essential.

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.    

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. 

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.    

Documented experience in a biology laboratory and animal models for neuroscience and/or behavioural experiments is a merit.

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 Physiology. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.

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

For more information about the project please contact the principal supervisor,
Jean-Philippe Krieger, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology,
e-mail: jean-philippe.krieger@gu.se

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

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: 2023-02-21

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.