Postdoctoral stipend in Bioanalytical Chemistry
Specific Subject Description
Applications are invited for two full time postdoctoral stipend positions in Analytical Neurochemistry
at the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden with start
Spring 2015.
We have an opening for individuals wishing to join a multidisciplinary team aiming to understand 1)
biomembranes and memory and 2) protein aggregation mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease with a
particular focus on neuronal lipid species.
The first position will involve nanoscale mass spectrometry imaging to understand a hypothesis on the
role of lipids in short-term memory.
The second position will use of mass spectrometry imaging to further our understanding of protein
aggregation mechanisms in Alzheimers disease (AD).
Background
The brain constitutes arguably the most complex cellular network in our body. This complexity
manifests itself in the fact that the exact molecular processes underlying neuronal communication,
memory formation, cognition and brain pathology remain unknown. This in turn hampers the
development of effective treatment strategies for brain-associated disorders such as Alzheimer’s
disease. The major pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are the progressive
accumulation and aggregation of e.g. beta-amyloid (Aβ) into neurotoxic deposits. One aim is therefore
to elucidate chemical properties of Aβ plaques and their molecular environment in human brain tissue
and transgenic mouse models of AD. The proposed work will help to establish the chain of molecular
events that underlie amyloidogenic protein aggregation in AD pathology with a particular focus on Aβ
peptide truncations and plaque- associated neuronal lipids.
Job assignments
The successful candidates will be expected to use and further develop MALDI and/or SIMS-based
methods for lipid and/or amyloid peptide imaging in model, human, and mouse brain tissue samples.
These efforts might also involve the use of multivariate statistics for image analysis and spectral data
analysis to construct models of disease. The successful applicants will belong to the Division of
Analytical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology.
The daily working environment will include the National Center of Imaging Mass Spectrometry
(www.ncims.se) equipped with state of the art imaging MS equipment including 2 ToF-SIMS
instruments (iontof V, ionoptika J105), one in-house build SIMS/MALDI multisource QToF (QStar,
AB Sciex) and one MALDI TOF/TOF instrument (Bruker Ultraflextreme) and a new Cameca
NanoSIMS. The environment has a strong and internationally recognized research tradition in
Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology
Kemigården 4, SE 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
+46 31-786 00 00
www.cmb.gu.se
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biological SIMS, MALDI imaging, and its application to chemical neuroscience. The project is funded
by leading Swedish and international foundations.
Eligibility
We are seeking candidates who is highly motivated, science-driven, and collaborative to join our
research team. The candidates should hold a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, biochemistry or other
project related areas. Hands-on experiences with mass spectrometry as well as biological sample
preparation techniques; in situ analysis and/or molecular neuropathology are preferred.
Previous, documented, experience in fluorescence microscopy, immunohistochemistry, nucleotide
analysis, studying protein expression and metabolite profiles in cells, biological tissues or body fluids
is a merit. Prior knowledge in bioinformatics is highly valued. Strong written skills with proven track
record of successful research and publication are required.
To qualify as a postdoctoral fellow you must have completed a Swedish or foreign PhD degree in a
subject area relevant for the position at the time of employment. Preference will be given to candidates
who have been awarded the degree no more than three years before the application deadline.
Applicants with a degree awarded earlier may also be preferred if specific reasons exist. Such specific
reasons may be a leave due to illness, parental leave or other similar circumstances.
Contact
Applications should be sent by e-mail to Professor Andrew Ewing (Biomembranes/Memory)
andrew.ewing@chem.gu.se
and Assistant Professor Jörg Hanrieder (protein aggregation/AD).
jorg.hanrieder@neuro.gu.se
Deadline for application: no later than 2015-02-21
The application shall include,
- CV including scientific publications.
- Cover letter with an explanation of why you apply for the position.
- Copy of exam certificate (if available).
-Two referees (name, telephone no, relation)
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