Ústav experimentální medicíny AV ČR, v. v. i.

Publikováno 25. 02. 2021

The Department of Cellular Neurophysiology of the Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences is looking for an ambitious, highly motivated, and talented early-stage researcher to work on a project in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network ASTROTECH, which is funded by the European Community’s Framework programme Horizon 2020.

www.astrotechproject.eu

Project description

Start date
September 1, 2021

Duration of recruitment
Thirty-six (36) months

Project title
Electrophysiological recordings on astrocytes/glial cells by glioelectronic device and identification of astrocyte functions ex vivo

Application deadline
March 31, 2021 (23:55 CET)

Main objectives

A) validation of a glioelectronic device developed within ASTROTECH ex vivo ,
B) validation of the glioelectronic device in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia.

The successful candidate will be involved in:

• coronal brain section preparation,
• electrophysiological recordings in situ (patch-clamp technique and calcium imaging),
• immunohistochemical identification of astrocytes using confocal microscopy,
• employing a model of focal cerebral ischemia (middle cerebral artery occlusion),
• gene expression profiling of glial cells in the intact and ischemic mouse brain.

The successful candidate will participate in events organized by the ASTROTECH network and carry out secondments for partner institutions.

Requirements/Qualifications

Candidates should:

• have a Master's degree in a biological, medical, or related field,
• have a good working knowledge of English language,
• be willing to work with laboratory animals (mice),
• be interested in learning new laboratory techniques,
• be able to work independently as well as in a team.

At the time of recruitment by the host organization, the early stage researcher must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date. Short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

Candidates must be in their first four (4) years of their research career since their Master's Degree and have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree. The four years are counted from the date a degree was obtained which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate.

The PhD study is provided by the Charles University and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Second faculty of medicine, study programme Neurosciences (https://www.lf2.cuni.cz/en/phd/phd-study/information-on-the-admission-procedure), and the conditions of admission and the organization of the studies are governed by the valid regulations of the university. The duration of PhD studies in the Czech Republic is formally 4 years. Please note that the successful candidate will need to apply separately for admission through the university's application system. The application system can be accessed via: https://is.cuni.cz/studium/eng/prijimacky and the final deadline for PhD applications is April 30, 2021; however, it is advisable to apply as soon as possible.

Suggested reading

• Pivonkova et al. (2018), Neuroscience, doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.10.028.
• Butenko et al., (2012), PLoS One, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039959.
• Benfenati et al., (2011), Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1012867108.

Principal investigator/Supervisor

Miroslava Anderova, Ph.D.

Consultant
Jan Kriska, Ph.D.

If you are interested, please email an application consisting of:

• a short motivation letter,
• a curriculum vitae,
• a recommendation letter

to the supervisor (miroslava.anderova@iem.cas.cz), with a copy to the consultant (jan.kriska@iem.cas.cz).

Official website

http://www.iem.cas.cz/en/research/departments/department-of-cellular-neurophysiology