The Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic opens a position in the Department of Functional Morphology in the group of Jiri Palecek M.D. Ph.D. for a: 

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN PAIN RESEARCH

The postdoctoral position is available for 3 years with a possible extension as a junior scientist. The main research interest of the department is to study mechanisms of pain and to explore new possibilities of pain treatment, especially in chronic states. Our experimental work is concentrated on the modulation of nociceptive information at the spinal cord level that is the first relay center between the periphery and the higher brain areas. The goal is to study these modulatory mechanisms in order to improve therapy for neuropathic and cancer related pain. In our research we use mainly electrophysiological, immunohistochemical and behavioral methods with the employment of different models of neuropathic (nerve injury, diabetes) and inflammatory pain models in control and transgenic animals. We have recently also established a new laboratory at the Biotechnology and Biomedicine Center (www.biocev.eu). More information about the department

Annotation of the research project
The research project will concentrate to study mechanisms of spinal cord modulation of nociceptive transmission in models of neuropathic pain. The postdoctoral fellow will use electrophysiological recordings from spinal cord slices, behavioral tests and molecular biology techniques. Experience with these methods and with viral transfection in vivo for optogenetic manipulation of synaptic transmission and siRNA approaches for targeted inactivation of genes of interest would be of advantage. The postdoctoral fellow will be involved in projects to study interaction of opioid, TRPV1 and cannabinoid receptors with cytokines in modulation of synaptic transmission in different models of neuropathic pain (SNL, paclitaxel, diabetic). Possible anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties of fatty acids will be also studied in neuroinflammatory conditions related to neuropathic pain. Viral vectors will be used to label neuronal populations with calcium dye indicators and to record their activity in spinal cord slices using optical and electrophysiological methods in the BIOCEV facility. We therefore seek for this position a highly motivated candidate with a PhD degree interested to study pain mechanisms, fluent in English (or Czech). Previous experience with the experimental techniques and/or pain field is of advantage.

We offer a competitive monthly salary of 40 000 CZK (approx. 1 500 EUR) with a possible raise based on the candidate's skills and involvement in grant projects. For further information please contact Jiri Palecek (jiri.palecek@fgu.cas.cz). The position is open from 1.1.2020. To apply, please, send letter of interest, structured CV, list of publications, photocopies of documents proving the attained level of education, and recommendation letters of two independent academic referees to the following address: marcela.tomaskova@fgu.cas.cz

Application deadline:: 15. 12. 2019

Applications need to be received by December 15th 2019. Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 - Prague 4, Czech Republic.By replying to this advertisement (or by sending a CV), the job seeker acknowledges that, in connection with the ongoing selection procedure for a particular job position, the Institute of Physiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., is processing personal data. Mandatory information related to the processing of personal data is available at www.fgu.cas.cz