Description
The headed by Prof. Bart De Strooper is a vibrant environment where key issues related to Alzheimer’s disease are tackled (PMID 26871627). We are currently looking for a motivated postdoctoral scientist to join our multidisciplinary project on neuroinflammation and microglia-neuron interactions to follow up on our recent findings regarding the role of programmed cell death in Alzheimer’s Disease and how this links to Tau pathology (PMID 37708272). In this project, we will assess how the non-coding RNA MEG3 induces necroptosis mechanism and the generation of granulo-vacuolar bodies in neurons. The candidate will use human iPS cells both in vitro and in vivo using xenografted mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease (see Balusu et al., Science 2023) to gain further insight into this defining axis of pathology in Alzheimer’s disease, which has also high relevance for the development of drugs for this devastating disease.
Additional information may be found in the following selected references from the lab:
1. Xenografted human microglia display diverse transcriptomic states in response to Alzheimer's disease-related amyloid-β pathology. Nat Neurosci. 2024. PMID: 38539015
2. MEG3 activates necroptosis in human neuron xenografts modeling Alzheimer's disease. Science. 2023 Sep 15;381(6663):1176-1182. PMID: 3770827
3. The Cellular Phase of Alzheimer's Disease. Cell 164(4):603-15. 2016. PMID: 26871627 Review.
Profile
Required
The successful candidate:
4. Should hold a PhD degree in neuroscience, biology or a related field
5. Should be creative, enthusiastic, and critically thinking
6. Enjoys teamwork and has excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Appreciated
7. Experience working with laboratory mice
8. Project management and effective communication skills
9. Knowledge of the literature on neurodegenerative disorders
10. Knowledge of non-coding RNA
11. Good understanding of the endo-lysosomal pathway
12. Experience working with iPSC cells
13. Good publication record
We offer
14. An exceptionally strong scientific environment
15. Possibility to supervise students and technicians and develop an independent research profile
16. Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure
17. A stimulating, diverse international research environment in a world-class academic laboratory
18. Animal models, expertise in neurodegenerative disorders
19. Financial support is available for at least 2 years (renewable one-year contract). However, the successful candidate is encouraged to obtain a personal fellowship (Marie-Curie, HFSP, EMBO, or National funding organizations).
20. Start date: as soon as possible - the position is available immediately