Research Specialist in Neuroscience

Research Specialist in Neuroscience

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Department of Neuroscience consists of more than 35 research groups studying the function of the nervous system in health and disease. The laboratory of Dr. Gilberto Fisone is interested in the characterization of mouse models of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. The lab needs to strengthen its research on Parkinson's affective disorders, which affect a large proportion of patients and are refractory to standard medications.

This will provide an ideal complement to clinical research on neurodegenerative disorders currently carried out at Karolinska Institutet. Dr. Fisone's lab is in the Biomedicum building, which hosts a multidisciplinary environment and top-level core facilities.

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most frequent neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by the appearance of motor disabilities such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. In addition to the cardinal motor symptoms, PD is accompanied by a wide range of co-morbidities, which include sleep disorders. These conditions are often refractory to standard dopamine replacement therapies against PD. The work in the laboratory of Dr.

Gilberto Fisone is based on the characterization of animal models reproducing these various disorders, combined with multiscale analyses to identify molecular, cellular and circuit abnormalities as potential targets for future treatments.

The successful candidate is expected to be responsible for a research line aiming at the characterization of molecular and circuit abnormalities involved in motor impairment and sleep disturbances associated with Parkinson's disease. Work will be based on the use of a rodent model of PD, previously shown to reproduce several non-motor symptoms commonly observed in parkinsonian patients. The final goal will be to provide information for the development of therapeutic approaches to combine with those commonly used to treat the cardinal motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

For employment as Research Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements stated in the Guidelines for non-teaching positions at Karolinska Institutet are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.

To be eligible for employment as Research Specialist, the candidate must have demonstrated scientific competence and have been awarded a doctoral degree, PhD, or a foreign qualification deemed equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree. The candidate must have also demonstrated research experience after the completion of the PhD.

We are looking for candidates with a background in the generation, molecular characterization, and behavioral analysis of mouse models of Parkinson's disease. Applicants should have extensive knowledge of stereotaxic surgery, and competence in the assessment of motor activity and sleep analysis, including polysomnographic recording, in naive and transgenic mice. Experience in immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy will be an important additional merit.

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

• PhD in Neuroscience and post-doctoral studies focused on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's Disease
• Experience in generating rodent models of Parkinson's Disease
• Experience on stereotaxic manipulations of mice, particularly microinjections of catecholamine toxins, such as 6-hydroxydopamine, and viruses in multiple areas of the brain.
• Experience on stereotaxic implantation of electrodes for EEG and EMG recording in mice.
• Knowledge of in vivo behavioral tests, including motor function and sleep disturbances.

It is meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Knowledge of basic biochemical techniques, including western blotting, and immunofluorescence.
• Experience in co-supervising students at the Master level.
• Ability to present data in international meetings.

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best…