We are seeking highly motivated candidatesto fill several postdoctoral positions in the framework of the recently funded Horizon 2020 AND-PD research initiative.
The project focuses on the investigation of the causative mechanisms involved in co-morbidities linking Parkinson’s Disease with Anxiety and Depression.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is clinically categorized as movement disorder. However, approximately 40% of the PD patients experience comorbid anxietyand depression, which are complex mental conditions recognized as the leading cause of disability worldwide, and one of the strongest predictors of quality of life in PD. Their relationship and pathophysiology are, however, poorly understood.
To investigate the neuronal substrates of anxiety and depression in PD, the international consortium builds on the experience of the partners working at the intersection between basic research and biomedical applications. The successful candidates will perform a programme of pre-clinical research using established disease animal models, multiscale neuronal circuit investigation, behavioral, molecular and cellular omics analyses.
We are looking for candidates with one of the following
- Expertise in neurophysiological and optogenetics ex-vivo and/or in-vivo combined with viral-based approaches to deconstruct and manipulate neuronal circuits, together with confocal microscopy, is a mandatory prerequisite. Previous experience with calcium imaging will be highly valued.
4 positions, respectively at
- Neuromodulation of Cortical and Subcortical Circuits Laboratory (Raffaella Tonini; https://www.iit.it/research/lines/neuromodulation-of-cortical-and-subcortical-circuits)
- Dopamine and neuronal assemblies Group (Francois Georges; https://www.bordeaux-neurocampus.fr/team/dopamine-and-neuronal-assemblies)
- Silberberg Lab (Gilad Silberberg; https://ki.se/en/neuro/Silberberg-lab)
- Laboratory of the Cellular Physiology of Neurodegenerative Diseases (Josh Goldberg; https://medicine.ekmd.huji.ac.il/en/research/JoshG/Pages/default.aspx)
- Expertise in the generation, molecular characterization and behavioural analysis of mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. The candidate should have extensive knowledge of stereotaxic surgery, and competence in the assessment of motor, and affective functions in naive and transgenic mice. Experience in immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy will be an important additional merit.
1 position: Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology (Gilberto Fisone; https://ki.se/en/neuro/fisone-laboratory)
- Expertise in neurophysiology, biochemistry and molecular biology applied to viral-based mice models of Parkinson’s disease aimed to explore key molecular determinants of neuronal dysfunction and cell death. Experience with mouse stereotaxic surgery, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy is mandatory
1 position: Neurobiology of the Basal Ganglia group (Rosario MoratallaVillalba; http://www.cajal.csic.es/departamentos/moratalla-villalba/moratalla-villalba.html
- Expertise in single-cell transcriptomics. The candidate should have extensive experience in RNA-seq analysis of gene expression. Bioinformatic skills are welcome. Experience in handling transgenic mice and brain tissues will add an important merit.
1 position: Non-coding RNAs and RNA-based therapeutics group (Stefano Gustincich; https://www.iit.it/research/lines/non-coding-rnas-and-rna-based-therapeutics)
The successful candidates will work in cutting-edge and highly collaborative research environments, and they will have the opportunity to train in the different laboratories of the research consortium to develop specific project tasks.
Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in either Physiology, Physics, Molecular Biology, Neuroscienceor related subjects, and have excellent written and verbal English communication skills. Applicants are expected to have a strong research track record and to be highly independent.
Salary will be commensurate to qualifications and experience and in line with international standards.
Applications, including detailed curriculum vitae, cover letter with indication of the targeted laboratories, and name and contacts of 2 referees, should be submitted in PDF format toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.quoting “AND-PD Postdoctoral position” in the subject line.
Deadline 27th of January; short-list notification by the 1st of February; interview by TC on the 7th of February.