Ph.D. position is open in the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Sweden

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Stephen Minne Posted: Tue, Aug 2 2011 10:58 AM

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 UMEÅ UNIVERSITET
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics

PhD IN MEDICAL BIOPHYSICS

UMEÅ UNIVERSITY, SWEDEN
£27,800 - £32,800 pa

A competitive Ph.D. position is open in the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Sweden to work on the project “Molecular and cellular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease studied by biophysical techniques”. Amyloid fibrils and oligomers are beta-sheet rich protein aggregates associated with a range of protein deposition diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Biophysical methods allowed the protein-protein and protein-cellular interactions to be probed at a single molecule and single cell level. The aim of the project is to provide an insight into the mechanisms of protein pathological self-assembly and cytotoxicity by using a combined set up of cutting-edge atomic force microscopy including high resolution bioimaging and AFM force recognition mapping, confocal microscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and other biophysical methods. In vitro experiments will be related to the immune-histochemical analysis of human tissues by using powerful tissues scanning microscopy. Ambitious and enthusiastic candidates are encouraged to participate in significant breakthroughs in understanding amyloid and neurodegenerative processes.

The Umeå Chemistry-Biology Center has superb infrastructure and cutting-edge equipment including AFM, confocal microscopy, 600 & 850 MHz NMR, dynamic light scattering, Raman spectroscopy, Biacore SPR, GEMMA, extensive mass-spectrometry capabilities and many other standard biophysical, biochemical and cell biological techniques. Umeå University is the largest scientific centre in Northern Sweden with 36,700 students and over 4,200 employees, providing access to world-class academic resources and promoting strong interdisciplinary and international collaboration. The salary ranges from £27,800 (1st year) to £32,800 (4th year). Umeå University has the second largest sports centre in the world and is an ideal place to combine scientific research with sporting life style. The city has a young population, excellent cultural opportunities and will be designated the European Capital of Culture in 2014.

Additional information can be found at www.umu.se and
http://www.medchem.umu.se/english/research/principal-investigators/morozova-roche/

Candidates should hold a good MSc degree in biophysics, biochemistry, biotechnology or similar. Interest in atomic force microscopy, in setting up necessary instrumentation, good quantitative and programming skills, ability to operate accompanying data analysis software as well as to handle protein reconstitution and characterisation are essential. The ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment will be required. A fluent colloquial and written English is important.

Applicants should forward their CV, the names and contact details of three referees, representative publications, University certificates with grades and a covering letter with motivation to:

Professor Ludmilla Morozova-Roche
Phone: +46 90 7865283; ludmilla.morozova-roche@medchem.umu.se