BEMÆRK: Ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
PhD fellowship in neuronal acid-base homeostasis
PhD Project in The role of endosomal pH regulation by Na+/H+ exchanger NHE6 in neuronal metabolism and its dysregulation in neurodegenerative disease
Department of Biology
Faculty of SCIENCE
University of Copenhagen
The Department of Biology invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in The role of endosomal pH regulation by Na+/H+ exchanger NHE6 in neuronal metabolism and its dysregulation in neurodegenerative disease. The project is part of a DFF2 research project financed by Independent Research Fund Denmark.
Start date is December. 1st 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
The overall aim of the PhD project is to test the hypothesis that neuronal metabolism and survival are regulated by the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE6 (SLC9A6), a key endosomal pH-regulatory protein linked to severe neurodegenerative diseases such as Christianson syndrome and Alzheimers disease. We propose that NHE6 loss/mutations elicit a cascade of deleterious events originating from the endosomal compartment, including disrupted endo-/lysosomal pH, dysfunction of NHE6-interacting proteins, altered iron homeostasis, mTORC1 activity, and endosomal motility, lysosomal lipid accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ferroptosis. Methodologically, the PhD project will include primary neurons from wild type and NHE6 knockout mice, neuronal cell lines, biochemistry and molecular biology, metabolic profiling, and advanced imaging including endosomal pH imaging and superresolution microscopy. The PhD student will collaborate with a postdoc with expertise in cryo-EM analysis of membrane proteins, allowing the project to integrate structures of endosomal NHE6 and its interactors with cellular and subcellular function to reach the first understanding of the role of NHE6 at the endosomal membrane.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for highly motivated candidates with broad experience within the fields of cell biology, metabolism, cellular signaling, and advanced imaging. Applicants can have a background from neurobiology or general cell biology, combined with biochemistry, molecular biology and microscopy. Experience with in vivo models, neuronal primary cell culture, cellular acid-base regulation, and/or endosomal biology will be appreciated.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The international team involved in the NHE6 project combines state-of-the-art expertise in molecular- and cell biology, neuronal metabolism, structural and computational biology, and superresolution microscopy.
The Pedersen group, where the PhD student will be based, is a part of the Department of Biology, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. The group is interdisciplinary and international, with an overall focus on acid-base homeostasis in health and disease, excellent research facilities and a dynamic and friendly working environment. The PhD student will be co-supervised by Dr. Blanca Aldana, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of HEALTH, University of Copenhagen. Both departments are located in Copenhagen, within 5 min walking distance. The project will furthermore involve research visits with collaborators in the US and Germany with complementary expertises.
Principal supervisor is Professor Stine Falsig Pedersen, Department of Biology, e-mail: sfpedersen@bio.ku.dk, direct phone: 0045-20991555.
The PhD programme
A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme).
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. cell biology, neurobiology, molecular biology or biochemistry. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme
- Self-motivated and able to carry out an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
- Participate in active research environments, including a stay at a research institution abroad
- Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
- Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- Creative and curious mind-set with a strong drive and strong interest in the fundamental cell biology of human health and disease
- Excellent communication skills, in particular English, and including publication writing skills
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Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position, and contact information for 2-3 references (will only be contacted upon prior approval by the candidate)
- Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another 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)
The deadline for applications is 8 August 2023, 23:59 GMT +2.
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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 38.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Herlev Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
KU - SCIENCE - BIO, Universitetsparken 13, August Krog Byg., 2100 København Ø
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 04-08-2023; - ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Ved skriftlig henvendelse: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1307&ProjectId=159659&DepartmentId=18965&MediaId=4632&SkipAdvertisement=true
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