PhD Position in \"Modifying Synapses to Mitigate Alzheimer's Disease

Glutamatergic synapses are critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. The composition of their receptors can modulate resilience and sensitivity to memory deficits, in particular those induced by amyloid beta (Aβ), a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease. In this project you will investigate whether and how modifying the composition of glutamatergic receptors at synapses, using both molecular tools and behavioral interventions, can reduce age-related cognitive decline and thereby enhance resilience to AD pathology.

In addition, you will study the role of engram cell ensembles in this process.

The position is embedded within the Memory and Plasticity team of dr. Harm Krugers at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam (UvA). This is a collaborative project with Prof. dr. Helmut Kessels (Cellular and Circuit Neuroscience group, UvAmsterdam) and Prof. dr. Paul J Lucassen (Brain Plasticity group, UvAmsterdam). The PhD candidate works in the respective groups where complementary and excellent expertise is available (e.g. electrophysiology will be combined with chemo genetics and behavioral interventions).

You will use behavioral paradigms to assess learning and memory in a rodent model of AD. You will apply viral technologies to identify and measure the properties of synapses and engram cells and establish their role in memory. These techniques can include electrophysiology, proteomics, dendrite and spine reconstructions, chemo genetics, and memory engram-specific interventions.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
• gain knowledge of the field through literature, discussions with team members and internal lab meetings;
• contribute to the design of experiments, perform experiments in the lab and analyse and interpret results of these experiments;
• take a leading role in writing manuscripts;
• be an active member of the research teams at both the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (UvA) and present results at (inter) national scientific meetings;
• participate in the Faculty of Science PhD training programme;
• assist in teaching and supervise Bachelor and Master’s students

You are excited about science and have a particular interest in, and preferably have experience with neurobiological approaches towards learning and memory. You like a challenge and can combine work on preclinical rodent models with techniques like behaviour, electrophysiology, molecular biology and structural analysis. You have good statistical skills and experience with molecular tools and data-analysis. You are a team player and a pleasant colleague who enjoys being part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists.

Finally, you have good time management skills enabling you to meet the projects’ deadlines for finishing analyses, reports and other deliverables.

Your experience and profile:

• experience with learning and memory research.
• a MSc degree in Neuroscience or related fields;
• affinity and experience with performing animal experiments;
• affinity and experience with common behavioural and/or neurobiological techniques;
• good analytical, writing and presenting skills;
• fluent in English, both written and spoken and the willingness to learn Dutch (in case not Dutch native speaker)

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date of the project, which should lead to a PhD thesis, is 4 January 2027. We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of…