IMDIK - Post-doctoral Research Associate position recrutation

IMDIK

Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw

is seeking a candidate for a position of Post-doctoral Research Associate

 

 

Recruitment is related to the international project no. 2021/03/Y/NZ5/00112, entitled “Pre-symptomatic synaptic disorders in Alzheimer's disease”, as part of the JPco-fuND2 Call 2021 program financed by the EU Joint Program - Neurodegenerative Disease Research (EU JPND), through the National Science Center, implemented at the Department of Department of Neurodegenerative Disorders MMRI PAS.

 

  • Scientific discipline: medical sciences
  • Announcement date: 11.03.2022
  • Application deadline: 22.04.2022
  • Link to the website: www.imdik.pan.pl
  • Keywords: post-doc, synapse, presynaptic proteins, human neurons, genetic rearrangements (CRISPR/Cas9), biomarkers, brain organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), Alzheimer's disease.

 

The area of the research in which the candidate would participate:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60% to 80% of cases. AD is thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms arise. A major endeavour in the field is to characterize these subthreshold changes in the brain that are unnoticeable to the person affected. A better definition of the timing and magnitude of pathophysiological changes associated with AD is critical for the development of diagnostic and predictive tests and for the design of prevention trials. It is widely accepted that synaptic alteration/loss is the strongest predictor of cognitive decline in AD. However, this has mainly been based on histopathological studies in post-mortem brains which do not capture dynamic events that precede the observed synapse loss and in particular fall short in providing information on the impaired physiological function of synapses. Compelling neuropathological and genetic evidence have based the amyloid cascade hypothesis which postulates that the neurodegeneration in AD is caused by abnormal accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques. However, all clinical trials based on this hypothesis have failed to halt or even delay AD progression and today no curative therapy is available. There is thus a strong need for additional hypotheses to explain AD pathology and to design new therapeutic interventions. Project goal In the PreSSAD project, we aim at addressing presymptomatic synaptic deficits in the context of the human AD pathology, by combining the expertise of five groups spanning from the identification of CSF biomarkers in preclinical AD cohorts to human synaptic biology. A major originality of the proposal is in the use of innovative human biological samples: 1) using iPSCs-derived human neurons with altered expression of presynaptic proteins (e.g. called SNARE proteins) in mouse neocortex, 2) human iPSCs-derived cerebral organoids and 3) organotypic cortical cultures obtained from human surgical resections. All models of human neurons and circuits will be genetically targeted to assess the early physiopathological stages of synapse dysfunction and loss, in combination with a proteomic analysis of synaptic biomarkers. This project will help identifying new pre-diagnostic markers linked to altered presynaptic function in presymptomatic forms of AD. Expected Results The PreSSAD collaboration targets early physiopathological mechanisms in the progression of AD from these subthreshold changes in the brain that are unnoticeable to the person affected to neurodegeneration and severe cognitive deficits. Through the combined study of biological samples of presymptomatic AD patients to the use of innovative experimental models of human neurons, the PreSSAD project will provide a much improved definition of the timing and magnitude of pathophysiological changes associated with AD with a focus on presynaptic biological markers and mechanisms. We anticipate that our combined data will be critical for the development of diagnostic and predictive tests and for the design of prevention trials. In addition, the innovative methodological development directly targeting human neurons and circuits has the great potential to deliver new cell models for future therapy design, to treat AD, as well as potentially other neurodegenerative diseases.

 

Description of duties:

  • planning and implementation of research tasks in accordance with the schedule of the project,
  • in detail: study of presynaptic deficiency in cultures of neurons derived from iPSC and in cerebral organoids derived from patients with Alzheimer’s disease carrying PSEN1 or APP mutations (optionally corrected with CRISPR / CAS9), or sporadic patients,
  • designing and conducting experiments with the use of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetic engineering and advanced cell culture, and microscopic imaging methods,
  • analysis, interpretation and integration of project data,
  • presenting the results at the group meetings, international Consortium meetings, external seminars and scientific conferences,
  • preparation of scientific publications,
  • introducing new research technologies and cooperation with a foreign partner involved in the current research project.

 

Necessary Requirements:

  • PhD degree in biological sciences, neurosciences, pharmacological sciences, medical sciences or relevant, obtained within a period not exceeding 7 years before January 1, 2022*
  • documented scientific achievements including publications in journals from JCR list,
  • participation in scientific conferences and internships,
  • experience in laboratory techniques in biochemistry, molecular biology (e.g. DNA, RNA, isolation; Western blot; qPCR; genetic engineering – overexpression, gene silencing, CRISPR/Cas9; immunohistochemistry; spectrophotometric/fluorometric techniques),
  • experience in planning and conducting in vitro cell cultures (eg. primary cell lines, neural cell lines, reprogramming and culturing of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) - experience cerebral organoids modelling would be an asset),
  • working knowledge of statistical software,
  • ability to work in a team and independently,
  • excellent knowledge of English, allowing effective communication and preparation of scientific manuscripts,
  • indication of Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences as a first place of employment.

 

* this period may be extended by the duration of long-term sickness breaks (maximum 90 days) and / or by 18 months for women in connection with maternity / parental leave for 1 child and the number of months of adequate leave for men.

 

Additional Requirements (Assets):

  • experience in work using a model based on (human) iPSCs-cerebral organoid or iPSCs-neuonal progenitors-neurons for neurodegenerative disorders or other,
  • experience in electrophysiological recording on neurons,
  • experience in substantive care for students and junior scientists.

 

We offer:

  • fixed term, full-time employment contract,
  • contract for 36 month with possibility of extension,
  • gross salary: around 7800 PLN gross / month,
  • the opportunity to work in a pleased atmosphere, in a dynamic, developmental research group,
  • scientific collaboration with a research partners from France, Sweden, Hungary, and Netherlands and with other Polish and foreign research institutions,
  • opportunity to participate and present obtained results at international conferences.

 

How to Apply:

Please send your documents to Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. indicating the reference number ZCHZ-111-1/22 in your correspondence.

 

Required documents:

  • motivation letter with description of candidate’s scientific interests, scientific work, scientific independency, participation in research grants,
  • CV listing candidate’s education, professional experience, scientific achievements, authored or co-authored publications and conference abstracts, internships and training,
  • copy of the PhD (or equivalent) diploma,
  • reference letters.

 

For more information about the project, please contact dr Michalina Wezyk (Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.)

 

Expected date of the interview: 26-28.04.2022

Expected decision date: 4.05.2022

Expected job starting date: 9.05.2022

 

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