BEMÆRK: Ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of ALS and neuroinflammation as per 1 March 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term position for 2 years.
About the department
The Department of Biomedicine prioritizes diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a diverse and international research environment, dedicated employees are looking to generate new knowledge within biomedical research areas such as infection and inflammation, membranes, neuroscience, and personalised medicine. The Department of Biomedicine provides research-based teaching of the highest quality and is responsible for a large part of the medical degree programme. Academic staff contribute to the teaching. English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The department employs approx. 500 people from all over the world, and they make use of the department's modern laboratory-, core- and animal facilities. The Department of Biomedicine focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry, and numerous researchers from the department have established companies to develop new medicinal treatments founded in professional scientific basic research. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.
About the research project
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare and fatal disease, affecting approximately 1-3 individuals per 100,000. It is characterized by the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. The primary genetic culprit behind ALS is mutations in the C9orf72 gene, resulting in dysfunctional brain cells due to inadequate expression of the wildtype C9 gene. Simultaneously, the disease is exacerbated by the accumulation of toxic dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) and heightened STING-mediated neuroinflammation accelerating the progression of ALS.
In this project, we will focus on establishing proof-of-concept for precisely targeting nerve cells by delivering innovative RNA therapeutics. These therapeutics are designed to reprogram nerve cells, suppressing DPRs and restoring normal levels of the wildtype C9 protein. Another important part of the project is to explore how STING neuroinflammation is controlled upon the reprogramming process. Success in this endeavor will provide crucial pre-clinical feasibility data, paving the way for the development of novel disease-modifying therapies for ALS patients in the future.
Laboratory for Cancer, Immunity and Inflammation is led by Professor Martin R Jakobsen. The group has worked within the STING field for the past decade focusing both on viral DNA sensing, STING inflammation and STING regulation in antitumoral settings. Over the past years the laboratory has moved into the field of drug delivery of RNA therapeutics. To know more about the group, please visit the homepage https://biomed.au.dk/Jakobsen-lab/.
Your job responsibilities
As postdoc in ALS and neuroinflammation, your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.
We are seeking a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher to join our dynamic research team focused on ALS and neuroinflammation. As a postdoc in the group, you will be part of a rich intellectual and collaborative environment and have access to state-of-the-art facilities within the Department. The position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field of RNA therapeutics and make significant strides in the fight against ALS.
Your main tasks will consist of:
- Independent research of high international quality, including publication.
- Design and execute experiments to deliver RNA therapeutics to motor neurons.
- Develop and optimize protocols for reprogramming motor neurons.
- Establish in vivo mouse models for C9orf72 ALS disease.
- Investigate the functional impact of RNA reprogramming in vivo.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate the RNA delivery technologies.
- Analyse and interpret experimental data, present findings at scientific conferences, and contribute to scientific publications.
You will report to Professor Martin R. Jakobsen.
Your competences
You have academic qualifications at PhD level, preferably within one or more of the following areas molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or neurobiology. Furthermore, we expect that you have:
- Experience with animal work preferable in neurobiology settings and in particularly ALS disease models.
- Experience with iPSC cultures and neural cell differentiation is highly relevant.
- Proven skills in both neuron cell culturing
Furthermore, we expect you to be proficiency in molecular biology techniques, primary cell culture, Flow cytometry, Western blotting and RNAseq analysis. You should be able to demonstrate the ability to design and conduct experiments independently and troubleshoot technical issues.
As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.
In order to be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria.
Shortlisting will be used.
Questions about the position
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Martin R Jakobsen by email: mrj@biomed.au.dk.
Your place of work will be the Department of Biomedicine, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
We expect to conduct interviews in Week 5-2024.
Terms of employment
- Appointment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
- Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
- The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
- Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
- The yearly base salary for a fulltime postdoc is between DKK 484.214,84 and DKK 538.720,20 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (17.1 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplemement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
- Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
- Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff
Application
Your application must include the following:
- Motivated application
- Curriculum Vitae
- Diploma
- Template for applicant - postdoc
- A list of publications
- A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
- A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
- Research plan can be uploaded (optional)
- Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
- References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.
International applicant?
Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Aarhus Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Aarhus Universitet, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 17-01-2024; - ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/5966855