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Doctoral position in Medical Science
Project title: Targeting astrocytes to improve outcome in CNS diseases
The Department of Clinical Neuroscience is located at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. We are at the forefront of groundbreaking research in neurology, neurosurgery, clinical neurophysiology, ophthalmology, rehabilitation medicine, and experimental neuroscience, working closely with Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Our department offers educational programs for future physicians, biomedical analysts, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech therapists, along with specialized commissioned courses in collaboration with the Department of Neurology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Join our innovative team of researchers who are constantly pushing the boundaries of science. Are you ready to be part of something extraordinary?
General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university’s doctoral student pages https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies
Duties
Doctoral education in Medical Science comprises carrying out a scientific project and completing at least 30 credits of courses at third-cycle level. The doctoral student must also write a scientific compilation thesis or monograph corresponding to at least 120 credits. For more information about third-cycle studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, see https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies
Project: We and others showed that astrocytes are involved in many processes in the CNS ranging from the establishment and maintenance of neuronal synapses and regulation of synaptic transmission, to neuroprotection and control of regenerative responses. These findings identify astrocytes as a major factor in the maintenance of brain health and a central element in many neurological diseases, making them a novel therapeutic target. We and others previously demonstrated that reactive gliosis, while beneficial in many neurological conditions, can in some disease contexts become maladaptive, with severe consequences for the CNS function. We hypothesize that the maladaptive response of reactive astrocytes is the driver of some neurodegenerative disorders.
The project aims to address cellular and molecular mechanisms of astrocyte malfunction and provide the basis for designing future treatment strategies for neurodegenerative conditions involving maladaptive astrocyte reactivity. The student will use mouse disease models, perform behavioral assessment of sensorimotor functions, and apply state-of-the-art tissue and omics analyses. Taking advantage of a strong collaborative network of national and international experts, this PhD project will contribute to the understanding of the role of astrocytes in selected CNS diseases, and has the potential to accelerate the development of new treatments to improve outcome.
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate, preferentially with very well documented experience in molecular and cellular biology laboratory work. The candidate should have medical, clinical or biological background, strong interest in neuroscience, a drive to advance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of human disease, and excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.
Eligibility
Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.
The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:
1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.
Specific entry requirements for this subject, according to the general syllabus, are:
having successfully completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies.
Assessment criteria
The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:
– specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
– experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
– scientific analysis and presentation verified through an academic paper, degree project, scientific
journals or the like.
Admission and employment
Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg. The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100. Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time. A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.
Location: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.
The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.
Please note, doctoral studies at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology requires physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.
Contact information
For more information about the project please contact principal supervisor,
Milos Pekny, Professor, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology,
e-mail: milos.pekny@neuro.gu.se
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande
Application
You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.
You must include the following, in pdf format
- Personal letter
- CV
- Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
- Proof of completion of English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies
If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier.
If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.
For information on what you need to submit in order to fulfill the English language requirement see https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Applications must be received by: 2026-03-23
Information for International Applicants
Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/
The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.
Salaries are set individually at the University.
In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.
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