PhD Student FUS Parkinson

Location: Amsterdam
Max hours per week: 38 hours per week
Max salary: € 3247,00
Duration of agreement: 4 years
Apply until: 28 May 2023

Team and Project

Contemporary drug delivery mechanisms, such as focused ultrasound (FUS) mediated blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption (FUS-BBBD) enable delivery of a wide variety of drugs. FUS allows a spatially selective, transient BBB-opening that allows for transcellular and paracellular transport of drugs. This project will use nanoparticles-based delivery system that has shown significant therapeutic efficacy. We will exploit this possibility to prevent Parkinson’s disease progression. The candidate will be supervised by a neuroscientist (NIN) and physicist (Utrecht UMC). The experiments will involve in-vivo FUS-BBBD experiments as well as advanced data analyses and provide the unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this new technological development. A positive, flexible, energetic attitude and a strong affinity for analyzing complex neuroscience data will be essential for the project, together with the ability to collaborate with researchers from different disciplines while at the same time being an independent researcher.

What we expect from you

• Master degree in neuroscience, biophysics or biomedical sciences.
• Research experience with rodents and small animal surgery.
• Holding Art.9 (Dutch animal ethics license) is a plus.
• Applicants based in “Randstad” are highly preferred.
• Experience in programing (MathLab or similar).
• Experience with electro-physiology and signal processing is an asset.
• Highly motivated, energetic, detail orientated and capable to work and troubleshoot independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Given the collaborative nature of the project, the candidate shall be required to commute between Amsterdam and Utrecht.

Employer

The project is funded by Netherlands Research council (NWO), and will be primarily held at the Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience (NIN), and Utrecht UMC. The PIs investigate targeted compound delivery in animal models with last-generation imaging and neuro-modulatory techniques. The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (www.nin.nl) is the country’s leading fundamental neuroscience research institute. Together this provides a critical mass of experts in the most advanced neuroscience techniques, together with a dynamic multi-cultural environment.

Appointment

The position is for a period of 4 years in total. The first appointment is for one year with the option for an extension for the remaining period pending on evaluation. The employee is expected to work on site.

Environment 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 € 2541,- and the maximum salary is € 3247,- gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P,  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).

Applications should be submitted via the system by sending:

• A detailed CV
• A motivation letter, including a brief description of past research experience and future interests, as well as the earliest possible starting date including the name and contact details of at least two referees
  Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled.

For additional information, please contact Dr. A. Jahanshahi: a.jahanshahi@nin.knaw.nl

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.