PhD student in Neurochemistry with Molecular Neurobiology

The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics is mainly located with the other Departments of Chemistry and Life Sciences in the Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, which are situated in the northern part of the University Campus at Frescati. Some 270 people of which about 60 are PhD students work at the Department, engaged in internationally highly recognised research covering a broad range of subjects. More information about us, please visit: the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics .

Project description

Project title: "APOE-directed liver – brain axis communication and neurodegenerative disease".

The PhD student will conduct their thesis work in the Translational Neurodegeneration laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Henrietta Nielsen and collaborator Dr. Ewa Ellis at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. The research focus of the Translational Neurodegeneration laboratory is to elucidate biological traits and mechanisms that underlie the increased risk of neurodegeneration in carriers of the APOE 4 genotype, the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

The project entails clinical and pre-clinical studies to elucidate how peripheral signatures including circulating liver-derived lipids and lipoparticles, plasma proteins as well as Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers translate into pathological processes in the brain. The main focus of the project includes to investigate short- and longterm effects of a hepatic APOE genotype switch, due to liver transplantation, on the hepatic secretome and APOE plasma signatures, the plasma lipidome, and brain health plasma surrogate markers such as blood-based-biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. The project is an inter-disciplinary project with several national and international collaborations already established.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the time the applicant is admitted to the PhD program at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements , in order to meet the specific entry requirements for acceptance in Neurochemistry with Molecular Neurobiology program the applicant must have passed courses within the first and second cycles of at least 120 credits in Chemistry/Life Sciences, including at least 15 credits Neurochemistry/Chemistry/Life Sciences at the second cycle level and a Degree Project (Thesis) also in Neurochemistry/Chemistry/Life Science of 30 credits.

Selection

The selection amongst the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to successfully complete the program. Important criteria when assessing this capacity are; documented knowledge and skill in the field of the thesis project, written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position, submitted project summary and project presentation, and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position. Ideal candidates are familiar with clinical terminology and have documented experience of biomedical laboratory work in line with GLP and GCP. Candidates are requested to submit a project summary (maximum 2 pages) in English, including relevant references along with their application. Candidates of relevance will be invited to an interview including an oral project presentation.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact Associate Professor,   henrietta.nielsen @dbb.su.se .

General information about the PhD programs can be given by the Professor and Director of Doctoral Studies, Andreas Barth, andreas.barth@dbb.su.se .

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position .