PhD fellowship in dopamine regulation of striatal memory formation at Department of Neuroscience

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

We are offering a three-years PhD fellowship in dopamine biology commencing November 1st, 2021 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Our group and research
We are a research group of ~15 people focusing on dopamine biology and on diseases characterized by dysfunctional dopamine homeostasis such as parkinsonism, ADHD, and addiction. We employ a broad spectrum of techniques ranging from classical pharmacology to advanced imaging (e.g. super-resolution microscopy), mouse behaviour, chemogenetics and optogenetics (see also https://in.ku.dk/research/gether-lab/ ).

Project description

The project is focused on the role of dopamine in striatal memory relating to cocaine addiction. This memory might be encoded by only a subset – or ensemble – of neurons in the striatum that drives uncontrolled drug intake. It is the aim of the project to assess how selection of the neuronal ensemble is facilitated by G protein coupled receptor input to striatal neurons and how this provides unique possibilities for manipulating memory recall or silencing. The project will involve advanced in vitro and in vivo imaging together with viral genetic techniques enabling GPCR modulation of both ensemble recruitment and of the recruited ensemble.

Principal supervisor isProfessor Ulrik Gether, Department of Neuroscience, e-mail: [email protected] , tel. 2875 7548.

Start:                  November 1st, 2021

Duration:          3 years as a PhD student

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

• 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 team
• Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Teach and disseminate your knowledge
• Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
In connection with the appointment to the post, special importance will be attached to the applicant having the following professional and personal qualifications:

• A master’s degree in molecular biomedicine, biomedicine, medicine, human biology, neuroscience or equivalent
• Experience with molecular biology
• Experience with immunocytochemistry and/or immunohistochemistry
• Experience with live microscopy imaging
• Experience with stereotactic surgery and mouse behaviour
• Experience with Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Other relevant work experience

All highly motivated and ambitious candidates, regardless of their personal background and status, are encouraged to apply

Place of employment

The place of employment is at Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories situated in the Maersk Tower.

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 formulated by the applicant.

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. 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 27.780 DKK /approx. 3.730 EUR (April 2021-level) plus pension.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format: 

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. Master of Science diploma and transcript of records. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do

4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: August 15, 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 authorized 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.

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

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

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 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.