Fully Funded PhD Programs At Aarhus University, Denmark, 2017

A PhD fellowship is now available at the Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital (AUH). The successful applicant will work on a 3-year research project to validate novel PET scanning techniques to investigate patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The main focus of the PD research group is to develop objective markers to study a range of non-motor features of PD, incl. disorders of the autonomic nervous system and sleep disorders. Recent evidence suggests that PD may be initiated in the enteric nervous system of the gut, and spread via axonal transport to the central nervous system. This process is believed to take 10-20 years and explains why symptoms such as constipation, urinary dysfunction, and sleep disorders often precede the diagnosis of PD by many years.

The current PhD program is highly translational and involves validation of new PET scanning methods using tissue staining (histology & autoradiography), animal PET/CT scans, and PET/CT & MRI studies on PD patients and healthy control subjects. The program is carried out under supervision of PI Per Borghammer in collaboration with experienced team members. The current research program on PD includes three other PhD students and one post.doc., all of whom are working on related subjects. A great deal of collaboration among students are encouraged and expected. We aim to initiate the PhD fellowship January 1st, 2018.

The PET centre is situated in the Danish Neuroscience Center at Health, AU allowing close interactions with residing clinicians, including specialists in neurology, neurophysiology, and neurosurgery. The research infrastructure includes pre-clinical facilities, including animal housing, histology, autoradiography, animal PET/MR scanner, and human research equipment including PET/CT, SPECT/CT, and MRI scanners, extensively supported by physicists, chemists, IT-engineers, and lab technicians.

Aarhus University provides an inspiring international research environment with excellent neuroscience facilities. Aarhus is a dynamic university city located in continental Denmark and surrounded by nature; it offers high living standards, rich cultural and intellectual life, outdoor activities, excellent restaurant/nightlife scene, etc.

Read more about the Department here: http://www.en.auh.dk/departments/head-and-heart-centre/department-of-nuclear-medicine–pet-centre/research-ares/neuroscience/

We seek motivated candidates with the following qualifications:

Essential criteria: 

• A master’s degree (120 ECTS) in medicine, neuroscience, engineering, biology, or other relevant education.
• A strong interest in medical research and neuroscience/brain disorders.
• Excellent verbal and written Danish and English skills.
• Good communication skills as the study involves recruitment and dealing with patients and healthy control subjects.
• Strong collaborative skills as the candidates will join a multidisciplinary research environment.

Desirable but not mandatory:

• Track record of publications
• Previous experience with analyses of imaging data and/or previous experience with histology
• Experience with statistical analyses.
• Expertise with computers and operating systems
• Clinical experience in Neurology (physicians)

Application:

The application must consist of a motivated letter of interest (max 1 page), full CV, diplomas, letters of recommendation/references. The application should be sent in one PDF file to Michele Gammeltoft ([email protected]) by June 1st, 2017.

Additional information regarding this position can be obtained by contacting research group leader, associate professor Per Borghammer, MD, PhD, DMSc, email: [email protected]

Official Link

Deadline: 1st June, 2017