Doctoral student in Medical Science - Neurochemistry of neuroinflammation in

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 scientists 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: Characterization of Neuroinflammation Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease

The Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry is located at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. At the Department research is conducted on human behaviour, neuropsychiatric processes as well as psychiatric treatment and diagnosis in close collaboration with Västra Götaland region and a number of international partners. We participate in the undergraduate programmes in Medicine and within The National Research School in Psychiatry/Southwest Sweden. At the Department there are some 15 research groups and four research centers.

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: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been defined as a pathophysiological process characterized by the progressive accumulation of protein aggregates (amyloid and tau) that ultimately lead to neuronal injury. Throughout this pathophysiological process, an intricate and complex metabolic network becomes altered, affecting different biological pathways that lead to the syndromic onset observed in AD patients. Inflammatory cascades have been reported multiple times to be altered in AD and is considered by many as one of the key players driving disease progression. Thus, there is no doubt regarding the relevance of the immune response to AD pathology progression. However, what is far from being consensual is the role of the immune system in this process: some advocate supporting the beneficial attempt of the immune system in reinstating original brain status, and some support the idea that the triggered inflammatory process turns out to worsen brain injury. Nevertheless, the Janus face of the immune response –and its possible biphasic and opposite effects– still needs to be deciphered. Thus, the exact mechanisms and functions of neuroinflammatory responses in AD remain unanswered. In order to address this gap, this proposal will characterize immune-related proteins in blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in the brain to identify blood biomarkers of neuroinflammation in the AD spectrum and provide knowledge to the development of new assays. Neuroinflammation biomarkers may indicate initial brain injuries and/or individuals with increased propensity or odds to disease progression, being also potential biomarkers candidates for use in clinical trials. 

The research group has several English-speaking people and therefore good knowledge of English, in both speech and writing, is necessary. This position will suit someone with good communication skills, detailed oriented, organized and who is also flexible, responsible and has personal drive. The person needs to be careful and structured.

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.    

A background in the field of biochemistry, neuroscience, biology or related areas, is desirable. Documented practical experience of laboratory work related to immune assays is a merit. Experience in neurodegenerative dementias and statistical software and tools is desired.

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 Psychiatry and Neurochemistry. 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:

Principal supervisor Henrik Zetterberg, Professor, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology,
e-mail: [email protected]  

Assistant supervisor Andrea Lessa Benedet, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology,
e-mail: [email protected]

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: 2023-02-16

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.