PhD Student in a Project on Human Neurogenesis and Addiction, Karolinska Institute, Sweden

July 16, 2010

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Job Description:

This research project aims at elucidating the possible influence of substance abuse on the nerve cell renewal in discrete brain regions. In animal models, alcohol, heroin and cocaine exposures have been shown to slow neurogenesis in hippocampus, and these changes have been suggested to explain for the intractable cycle of addictive behavior.
This project is a unique opportunity to study the effects of substance abuse on neurogenesis in humans. We are taking advantage of the carbon-14 bomb-pulse caused by extensive above-ground detonations of nuclear test bombs during the cold war, which allows for a precise birth dating of tissues, including isolated nerve cell populations. We will also compare these results with measurements of cell densities and analysis of immunohistochemical markers of immature neurons to explore the effects of drugs of abuse over shorter time periods.

The research will be carried out in at Forensic Medicine, Dept of Oncology-Pathology, and at Dept of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet. Henrik Druids group shares lab space and officies in part with the Dept of Forensic Medicine, implying a valuable link between forensic casework and translational research. In addition to studies on neurogenesis, the group focuses on drug abuse and postmortem diagnostics. A more detailed description of the group can be found at http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=9234&a=18601&f=sv&l=en

Area of responsibilities/duties:

We are looking for one to two PhD-students to participate in the project. The applicant should have a strong background in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology. Experience with cell sorting, protein analyses, tissue processing immunohistochemistry and microscopy is desired. The applicant should be ambitious, goal-oriented, accurate, should have excellent problem solving skills and should have a desire to take initiatives and responsibility for running the project. Excellent knowledge in spoken and written English is also required. The work will include various laboratory techniques such as Western blot, immunohistochemistry, stereology, microscopic examinations and evaluation of radiocarbon results.

The successful applicant will first have to pass a 5-month training position prior to admission to the 4-year long PhD programme.

For employment as a PhD student it is required that the applicant will be admitted to PhD studies, were the capabilities to comprehend the PhD studies is of key importance. Information about the PhD studies, admission requirement and admission rules can be found at http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?l=en&d=270.

For the first two years the student is awarded doctoral student allowance (not employment) that after half-time control will be transformed into a paid position as a PhD student (employment). The PhD studies at full time are maximum 4 years. Rules and regulations for PhD student can be found in the Swedish law “Högskoleförordningen” 5 ch. §§ 1–7.

Contact Person:

Henrik Druid, MD, PhD, Associate Professor
+46 8 5248 7770 or +46 70 344 75 44
Henrik.Druid@ki.se

Union Representatives:

Bertrand Joseph, SACO
08-517 73 826
Bertrand.Joseph@ki.se
Birgitta Mörk, OFR
08-517 705 84
Birgitta.Mork@ki.se

Gunnar Stenberg, SEKO
08-5248 8075
Gunnar.Stenberg@ki.se

Application Procedure:

Please send your application marked with reference number 3695/2010 together with the following documents:

1. A letter of intent
2. A complete CV including publications
3. Statement of research interests and names of two referees

Please send applications to :

Karolinska Institute
Dept of Oncology-Pathology
Z1:00, Karolinska univ.sjh Solna
171 76 Stockholm

Or Apply online:

Reference number: 3695/2010