Postdoctoral studies in drug and biomarker development in neurodegenerative disorders, with focus on Alzheimer’s disease and ALS (scholarship)

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The Darreh-Shori Lab

Associate Professor Taher Darreh-Shori is an experienced pharmacologist.
Darreh-Shori’s Lab has a strong profile in neuropharmacology and works with drug and biomarker development in the field of neurodegenerative disorders with a focus on the cholinergic neuronal interfaces in PNS, ENS and CNS. The target that we are currently working on is the key cholinergic enzyme, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), which is responsible for biosynthesis of acetylcholine. We are working with two unique sets of small molecule ChAT ligands. Our aims are to develop some of the compounds as molecular probes, e.g. as ChAT tracers for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of cholinergic interfaces in the body. The other ChAT ligands represent a new class of drug candidates that we call ChAT-Potentiating-Ligands (CPLs). CPLs have been designed based on the novel cholinergic enhancing strategy of increasing the in vivo biosynthesis of acetylcholine rather than inhibiting its biodegradations. The ChAT-PET probes and CPLs are expected to have high potential in a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders where cholinergic deficit is a key feature, such as Alzheimer-like dementias, and motor neurons disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Duties

A postdoctoral position (scholarship) is now open in projects devoted to in vitro and in vivo - studies involved in characterization of novel small molecules, as molecular probes for mapping the cholinergic systems in CNS and PNS.

The postdoctoral fellow is expected to take an active role in designing the studies and applying a diverse battery of biochemical and radiochemical methods on postmortem tissues from both AD and ALS cases versus age-matched controls, as well as from rodent models.  You will also be involved in supervising, training, and planning high quality smaller master-degree study projects for national and international students. 

Entry requirements

The applicant should be a highly motivated individual who can collaborate and function well in a team. We are looking for a candidate who holds a PhD in neurodegenerative diseases (preferably in Alzheimer’s disease or ALS)  and with skills preferably in more than one of the following areas: 
biochemistry and substantial experience in conducting studies utilizing postmortem tissue from human and/or animal models, handling and working with tissues from both humans and animals,
cryosectioning and immunohistochemistry, radioligand binding and autoradiographic methods. 
A solid understanding of data processing and statistical analysis is required. 

As your responsibilities will include writing manuscripts and presenting scientific data; exceptional oral and written communication skills in English are necessary. You should be well-organized, adept at planning and capable of meeting deadlines. Furthermore, you should be a highly motivated team player with a positive and proactive attitude towards collaborating with both national and international partners.

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.

A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.
To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Location: NEO, Campus Flemingsberg, Huddinge

Type of scholarship

One-year scholarship with the possibility of extension. The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work.
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.

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