Werken bij de UvA
The Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam is one of Europe's foremost institutions of higher education and research in its chosen fields of specialization. It plays an active role in international science networks and collaborates with universities and industry. The Faculty has approximately 2,500 students and 1,500 staff members spread over 4 departments and 10 research institutes. Each institute has its own research programme, a substantial part of which is externally funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), the Dutch government, the EU and various private enterprises.
In March 2009, a large part of the Faculty moved to new premises in the Science Park Amsterdam; the entire Faculty will be located there by the end of 2010. The move will make the Park one of the largest centres of academic research in the Netherlands.
The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is the Faculty's largest institute. Its approximately 200 scientists and staff members work in 11 research groups that perform excellent research centered on four themes: 1) The Living Cell, 2) Plant Signaling, 3) Neuroscience, and 4) Life Science Technologies.
Within the research group Hormones and Brain Function (SILS Center for Neuroscience), that will carry out a research project concentrating on the mechanisms involved in the regulation of adult neurogenesis by early-life stress, is a vacancy for a:
PhD candidate in Neuroscience
1.0 FTE (38 hours a week)
vacancy number 10-1058
In this genomic era, the role of genetic background in health and disease becomes increasingly clear. In addition, environment further influences the development of the brain and behavior, and in fact governs susceptibility to diseases like depression, anxiety and dementia. In particular experiences early in life, are known to ‘imprint' the brain, and to have a strong impact on brain structure and function, for life. Yet, very little is known about the mechanism by which early-life experience is imprinted in the brain and what determines susceptibility to disease later in life. We will use stress exposure early in life to alter rates of adult neurogenesis as they develop throughout life, and try to understand how cognitive impairment is influenced by these structural changes and what molecular and physiological mechanisms underlie these changes. The goal of this project is to address the contribution of epigenetic mechanisms and the input to the hippocampal progenitors in the reduction of neurogenesis seen after early-life stress.
Requirements
We are looking for highly motivated students with a Master's degree in Biological, Biomedical or Psychobiological sciences (or equivalent) with a solid background in neurosciences or related fields, and a strong interest in (early-life) stress, neurogenesis and epigenetic gene regulation. Experience with molecular biological, histological techniques and with animal behavior testing is an advantage. Candidates should have a strong capacity to work independently as well as in a team. He/she should further have good communicative skills, be enthusiastic about research and highly dedicated.
Appointment
The full-time appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum period of four years (18 months plus a further 30 months after a positive evaluation) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. The PhD student is also expected to assist in teaching of undergraduates.
Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €2,042 in the first year to €2,612 in the final year, according to the Dutch salary scales for PhD students. The collective employment agreement (CAO) of Dutch universities is applicable.
Job application
Applications, quoting the vacancy number and marked strictly confidential (in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope) should include a curriculum vitae. Applications should be sent to:
University of Amsterdam
FNWI Personeelszaken
Postbus 94216
1090 GE Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Applications can also be emailed to application-science@uva.nl, bearing the vacancy number in the subject line and relevant documents as attachments.
The closing date for application is 27 September 2010.