Postdoctor in Neurochemistry

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

At the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, at the Sahlgrenska Academy, we conduct research and education covering a wide range of knowledge areas. The institute comprises five different departments: Clinical Neuroscience, Health and Rehabilitation, Pharmacology, Physiology and Psychiatry and Neurochemistry.

The Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, invites applications for a postdoctoral position at the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry. 

Subject area

Neurochemistry

Subject area description

A pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the aggregation of beta-amyloid peptide into extracellular plaques and tau into intracellular tangles in the brain. New antibody therapies targeting those proteins give exciting but also ambiguous clinical results for treatment of AD which relates largely to the fact that it is still not fully resolved where and when AD pathology emerges in the brain. Hence there is a great need for a detailed understanding of early AD pathology and new biomarkers, that can be measured in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and blood, that reflect early pathology in the brain and facilitate an early and accurate diagnosis and prognosis of AD. 

Job assignments

As part of this research, you will drive and be involved in several different both clinical- and preclinical projects for studying protein dynamics in AD (amyloid and Tau) pathology in brain tissue, CSF and blood. The aim is to understand the critical mechanisms in early AD pathology which in turn allows to develop new protein biomarkers that reflect this early brain pathology. The goal is to develop, establish and validate those markers in preclinical- and clinical neurochemical studies and eventually present and publish those findings in scientific articles.

Analytical methods to be used include primarily immuno-methods and mass spectrometry such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunoprecipitation (IP), digital ELISA (SIMOA), laser microdissection (LMD) as well as mass spectrometric- (LCMS, IPMS) and biochemical- (Western blot, ELISA) characterization of protein biomarkers.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg.  

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made. 

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.  

To qualify as a postdoctoral researcher for this position, the applicant should hold a PhD in a relevant subject e.g. biology, chemistry, biomedicine, medicine or pharmacy.

Assessment

Candidates will be assessed based on documented scientific experience with focus on  pathogenic mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease, method development and analytical methods (e.g. mass spectrometry, Simoa) of biological samples. This should be documented by publications in international, peer-reviewed journals. Previous experience in mass spectrometry or alternatively neurochemical biomarker development for brain pathologies is a particular merit.

Ability to independently process data and write scientific publications is essential, as is the ability to be flexible and able to work independently. During assessment, account will be taken with respect to personal ability and qualifications. Very good proficiency in English is mandatory.

Employment

The employment is limited (temporary) for 2 years, 100% of full-time, and is placed at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology. Starting date: as soon as possible or as agreed. 

Contact information 

If you have questions regarding the employment please Researcher Jörg Hanrider, phone: +46 702 571 888, e-mail: jh@gu.se

Manager in charge is Professor/Head of Department Henrik Zetterberg, phone: +46 768 672 647, e-mail: henrik.zetterberg@clinchem.gu.se

Application documents are not to be submitted through the contact persons.

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

Application

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.  

Please enclose PhD certificate with the application.

Applications must be received by: 2023-03-29

 

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.