PhD-student Neurogenesis

Location:   Amsterdam
Max hours per week:   38
Salary:   € 2.770 – € 3.539
Duration of agreement : 4 years: first for 1 year, the employment contract will be extended in case of proper functioning
Apply until:   31 July 2024

Project: Unlock the early-life pathological imprinting of Alzheimer’s disease via lifestyle

The Neurogenesis & Neurodegeneration group (led by Dr. Evgenia Salta) has an exciting opportunity for a PhD student on this project. The lab employs transcriptomics and other molecular and imaging approaches to map the cellular and molecular complexity of the adult hippocampal neurogenic niche and to dissect the biological pathways that are deregulated in Alzheimer’s disease. The team employs animal models, iPSC reprogramming and human postmortem brain tissue.

What you will be doing?

The Project Unlock the early-life pathological imprinting of Alzheimer’s disease via lifestyle is funded by the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research and Alzheimer Nederland. We will combine the effort of five international (Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey), multidisciplinary groups across neurology, immunology, microbiology and cognitive memory and will use cutting-edge omics technologies and translational approaches. The aim of the project is to define the cellular and molecular effects of early-life dietary and microbial components, physical exercise and cognitive training on the CNS pathological imprinting and AD development later in life. You will focus on effects related to neurogenesis and neuroinflammation using mouse models, human iPSC cultures and postmortem human brain. These results will pave the way for the generation of improved approaches to prevent and/or treat AD in later adulthood. The research will be performed at the Salta lab in Amsterdam with possible visits/trainings in the groups of the other consortium partners.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a highly motivated, self-driven candidate with a MSc degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, biomedical sciences or a related discipline. Furthermore, we look for a candidate with:

• Experience with histological analysis, confocal microscopy, RNA processing and analysis.
• Experience with mouse experimentation (Article 9 license or equivalent) is a plus.
• Experience with (iPSC) cell culture is a plus.
• Interest in developing your coding skills.
• Excellent communication skills, as well as proficiency in spoken and written English, are expected.
• Keen interest in collaborative research.

What do we offer?

• Good terms of employment (see further)
• Opportunity to work with novel, exciting datasets.
• Mentoring, supervision and training.
• Access to state-of-the art infrastructure and work conditions.
• A stimulating, innovative and dynamic international research environment.
• Possibility to develop your own projects and apply for third-party funding.
• Flexible working time arrangements.

More information

For additional information, please contact Dr. E. Salta.  e.salta@nin.knaw.nl

More information about the laboratory can be found on:  Salta – Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience – Master the Mind (nin.nl)

How to apply?

Please submit your motivation letter, curriculum vitae and the names or letters of two or more references, via the button Apply now, as soon as possible but before July 30, 2024.

Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled.

About the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is the country’s leading fundamental neuroscience research institute, in the international and progressive city of Amsterdam. It provides a critical mass of scientists (spanning more than 27 nationalities) and neuroscience facilities, in a highly interactive, dynamic, multi-cultural environment, with English as the working language.

Terms of employment

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 2.770 and the maximum salary is € 3.539 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P  of the Collective Labour Agreement  for the Dutch Universities (cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page:  werken bij de KNAW .

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion

The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.

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