Postdoctoral position in Biomedical Engineering/Neuroscience

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37 000 students and about 4 700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. And the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is what it is all about. But also about delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. This is simply where the future is built.

The Department of Radiation Sciences is, in terms of research, a dynamic and internationally successful environment in radiology, oncology, cognitive neuro-science, radiation physics and bio-medical engineering. The department belongs to the Faculty of Medicine at Umeå University.

The Department of Radiation Sciences welcome applications for postdoctoral studies on the glymphatic system. The focus of the position is brain imaging and analysis for quantification of cerebral blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid flow pathways in and around the brain. The position is for two years full-time, with a potential prolonging with a third year, starting May 1, 2023, or by agreement.

Description of the project
The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by a water-like fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. Animal studies suggest that the fluid also flushes through the brain and may possibly act as a brain cleaning system. This flushing is called the glymphatic system. Development of dementia could potentially be explained by a disturbed glymphatic system. In this research project we investigate the human glymphatic system with the overarchifng purpose to provide methods to investigate, diagnose, understand, and possibly treat diseases related to breakdown of brain waste clearance in humans.

Work responsibilities
The focus of the position is brain imaging and analysis for quantification of cerebrospinal fluid flow pathways in and around the brain. You will participate in the development of analytical methods and models using human data. Pressure measurements, glymphatic MRI and PET examinations will be included in the analyses. The methods will be applied to study the function of the glymphatic system in humans. Functions that may have pathophysiological significance in diseases such as Alzheimer's and hydrocephalus. The analysis includes the combined cerebrovascular, intracranial, and intraocular circulatory systems. The duties include participating in the writing of scientific articles. You will be part of an interdisciplinary research group that includes neurologists, radiologists, MR-physicists and biomedical engineers.

Eligibility
A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate in Biomedical Engineering or Neuroscience is eligible for appointment as postdoctoral researcher. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time at which the appointment decision is made.

You should have experience in advanced image analysis. The applicant must be able to work independently, have good analytical skills, and to be organized. Much focus will be given to the candidate’s potential collaborative skills with members of the research team and with colleagues at the department.  Strong emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

Additional useful qualifications
Since appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is a career-development position for junior researchers, we are primarily interested in applicants who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an applicant who has completed their degree earlier than that may be considered. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, appointments of trust for a trade union organisation or other similar circumstances, and for relevant duties/assignments within the subject area. Experience of working in projects with neuroscientific questions and experience from analysis of brain images is meritorious.

More information about the position
The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term position for two years in accordance with the terms of contract for fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher from 1 May 2023.

More information about the group's research can be found on our website (link to website)

For more information about the Department of Radiation Sciences, please visit our website https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-radiation-sciences/

 Application
The application must include:

• A brief description of your research interests and a statement describing why you are interested in the position.
• CV
• List of publications
• Degree certificate from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
• Contact details of two reference persons

The application must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received latest March 20 2023.

Other information
Further information about the employment is provided by Professor Anders Eklund, Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your application!