PhD fellowship in Astrocyte and Neuronal Energy Metabolism in Alzheimer’s Disease at Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (SUND)
University of Copenhagen

We are offering a three-year PhD fellowship in Astrocyte and Neuronal Energy Metabolism in Alzheimer’s Disease. The PhD fellowship is financed by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. The fellowship is available from 15 October 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project description
In Alzheimer´s disease (AD), reduced brain glucose metabolism is strongly linked to progressive neuronal loss and cognitive degeneration as cells starve due to inefficient glucose processing. Decanoic acid (C10) exerts neuroprotective effects in brain disorders such as AD in which energy metabolism is compromised. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, passionate PhD fellow to investigate the substrate and FFAR1-dependent effect of C10 on brain cell metabolism and mitochondrial function in AD.

The PhD fellow will focus on experimental and analytical strategies within in vitro and ex vivo experiments based on human induced pluripotent cell (hiPSC) work and a rodent model of AD (5xfAD). The applicant will work with both human and animal tissue samples, learning and applying a variety of analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry and real-time cell bioenergetics. The position provides an opportunity to develop expertise in brain cell-specific energy metabolism and state-of-the-art hIPSC-derived cell models of AD.

Principal supervisor
Professor Helle S. Waagepetersen, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology
E-mail:  [email protected], direct phone: +45 3532 7052.

Co-supervisors
Assistant Professor Blanca Aldana, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology
E-mail:  [email protected]

Associate Professor Kristine Freude, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Email: [email protected]

Our group and research
The research in our group is focused on energy and amino acid metabolism in the healthy and diseased mammalian brain. Currently we are investigating the impact of fatty acids on energy metabolism in different brain cells, namely neurons and glia. Our research is mainly aimed at identifying metabolic abnormalities in severe neurodegenerative disorders. Primary mouse cell culture systems of neurons and astrocytes from different brain regions are extensively employed. In addition, novel human cell-based models such as hiPSC, genetically modified animals, acutely isolated brain tissue, isolated mitochondria and cell lines are applied as model systems to unravel the cell-specific metabolic profiles shaping brain (dys)function. More information about the group can be found here.

Our department
The Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (www.drug.ku.dk) delivers drug-related research and research-based teaching within a wide range of drug-related disciplines, spanning the molecular, cellular, and pharmacological levels.

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences are to:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Obtain experience with teaching and other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Participate in the undergraduate teaching of students in pharmaceutical sciences
• Participate in national and international conferences and scientific meetings
• Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your research project

Required qualifications
As an applicant you must have:

• Qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree in biochemistry, biomedicine, pharmaceutical sciences, neuroscience or related areas prior to the starting date. 
• Experience with cell-cultures is required
• Fluency in English and excellent communication skills

Preferred qualifications

• IPSC culturing is preferred and primary cultures and cell line culturing is desired
• Solid background in biochemistry
• Background in neuroscience
• Experience with basic biochemical analyses and molecular biology techniques (GCMS, HPLC, protein quantification, genotyping, PCR, Western blot)

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant work experience
• Publications
• The grade point average achieved
• Other professional activities
• Language skills
• The successful applicant is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills

Terms of employment
The employment as PhD fellow is full time and for 3 years.

It is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project to the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

The PhD student is expected to be affiliated to the graduate programme in pharmaceutical sciences, Drug Research Academy .

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary begins around DKK 27,780 (approx. 3,730 EUR) (taxable) plus pension (April 2021 level).

Application procedure
Your application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking “Apply now” below and must include the following documents in PDF format:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• 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.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Other information to consider: References and recommendations (if possible)

The deadline for applications is 23 July 2021, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorised recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 33-34

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Questions
For further information, applicants may contact supervisor Blanca Aldana, e-mail:  [email protected] , direct phone: +45 3532 7052 or PhD coordinator Marianne W. Jørgensen, e-mail: [email protected] , direct phone: +45 3533 6449.

For more information on working and living in Denmark visit http://ism.ku.dk (International staff mobility) and https://www.workindenmark.dk

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 8000 students, 1790 PhD students and 5100 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position. 

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.