PhD position: Selective synapse vulnerabilities in Alzheimer’s disease

AMSTERDAM

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The Dementia Science team is looking for a talented PhD candidate for a 4-year project to be carried out at the Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology (MCN) section of the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR) at the VU University Amsterdam.

Within the Dementia Research Program of ZonMw, six multidisciplinary research consortia were recently funded to boost large-scale integrative dementia research in the Netherlands. The MODEM (mechanisms of dementia) consortium will study disease mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia with 15 PhD projects across research institutes in the Netherlands. Three PhD projects are devoted to studying neuronal synapse and network impairments in Alzheimer’s disease using mouse models and iPSC-derived neurons. For one of these projects we are currently hiring.

Hippocampal inhibitory interneurons show early changes in excitability that are causally linked to the development neuronal network imbalance and memory impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this project we want to investigate which synaptic changes are responsible for these network changes. We will make use of a recently developed fluorescence-assisted synapse sorting (FASS) methods and highly sensitive mass spectrometric proteomic profiling to study at the molecular level the selective vulnerability of inhibitory vs excitatory synapses, synapses onto and originating from PV neurons and synapses onto and between engram neurons that store memories. We also obtained iPSC lines from multiple familial AD patients that will be used to generate mixed excitatory/inhibitory neuronal cultures that will also be assessed for changes in synaptic and network activity. The aim is to identify molecular targets that are specific for AD-associated synaptic impairments and with high translational value.

Your duties

• You will use stateof-the-art cellular and molecular approaches in neuroscience to identify and validate proteomic changes at the synapse that are relevant to AD.
• You will have the opportunity to teach and supervise bachelor and master students

• We look for highly motivated candidates with a strong background in cellular and molecular neuroscience.
• Prior experience with (iPSC) cell culture techniques and (large scale) protein analysis approaches is a plus.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,541 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,247 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of 4 years.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus,
• contribution to commuting expenses 
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to more than 11,000 students.

The Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology (MCN) lab at the CNCR

At the CNCR, 150 people work closely together in defining how in essence simple molecular and cellular processes shape the emergent complexity of the brain. We have the specific ambition to unravel the mechanisms by which brain cells and circuitry act both in health and disease and aim to translate mechanistic knowledge into understanding of (dys)function of the human brain. Our neuroscience research area covers analysis over many spatial levels, from genes to the intact organism, and over a large temporal scale, from microsecond molecular events to the years of functioning of the human brain. MCN is one out of four labs at the CNCR, currently has 30 members and is headed by Prof. Guus Smit.

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter until

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:

Name: Prof.dr. Ronald van Kesteren
E-mail: [email protected]

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