PhD fellowship in “The role of the hepatic stellate cells in non-alcoholic steatohepati...

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

We are offering a PhD fellowship in “The role of the hepatic stellate cells in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis” commencing October 1st 2019, or as soon as possible hereafter.

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and Novo Nordisk A/S established a research centre in 2010 - The LIFEPHARM Centre (www.lifepharm.dk) - with a budget of DKK 140 million covering activities until the end of 2020. The present position is part of the Centre´s activities. The purpose of the research centre is to strengthen the research in experimental pharmacology and toxicology and to increase the output of candidates and PhDs with a strong in vivo pharmacological profile.

It is expected that the future PhD fellow will be enrolled in the Graduate Programme for In Vivo Pharmacology and Experimental Animals (IVP) at SUND and participate actively in this network. The IVP Graduate Programme was established in 2006 as a collaboration between the Faculties of Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, University of Aarhus, and industrial partners; Novo Nordisk A/S, LEO Pharma and H. Lundbeck A/S. www.invivofarm.dk

For more information on LIFEPHARM or IVP please contact:
Professor Jens Lykkesfeldt
Director of LIFEPHARM
Head of IVP
[email protected]
Phone: (+45) 35 33 31 63

Our group and research
Centred within pharmacology and toxicology in biomedical research, our research explores disease mechanisms in vivo to select and develop high validity preclinical models and identify novel treatment targets to address disease challenges in humans. Within this field, we have a special interest in pharmacological and nutritional components of intervention modalities in treatment and prevention.
Our primary focus is on mechanisms of disease, and effects of intervention on specific disease-modalities predominantly within the area of life-style associated, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, CVD and NAFLD/NASH. We have a strong scientific and analytical platform combining biochemistry, molecular biology, histopathology and functional assays, helping us to interpret the complex interplay of mechanisms and responses in vivo and translate our findings to humans.

The project
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects around 25% of the World’s population, and though the incidence is rapidly increasing, there is no approved pharmacological treatment. In the course of disease progression, the development of liver fibrosis is a crucial prognostic hallmark. Essential to the deposition of a fibrogenic extracellular matrix (ECM), the Hepatic Stellate Cells represent a putative target in the search for novel therapeutic approaches. The project will employ novel ex-vivo techniques and thus also encompass refinement of methodology and reducing the need for animal sacrifice.

As its main focus, the project explores cellular targets ex vivo from a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in vivo model, with specific focus on the role of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation and de-activation in the formation and resolution of hepatic fibrosis, and how this may be targeted pharmacologically.

Principal supervisor is
Associate Professor Pernille Tveden-Nyborg
E-mail: [email protected]
Direct Phone: (+45) 35 33 31 67
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

Start: October 1st 2019
Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

Job description

Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
- Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team
- Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
- Teach and disseminate your knowledge
- Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project e.g. MSc in a biological science, veterinary medicine, medicine or other equivalent degree.

Important evaluation criteria include:
- The grade point average achieved
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project, including Function ABD/Category C course in carrying out animal experiments
- Previous publications
- Relevant working experience
- Other professional activities
- Curious mind-set with a strong interest in in vivo pharmacology
- Language skills

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment
The employment as PhD fellow is full time and for 3 years.

It is conditioned upon the applicant’s success­ful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree. Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agree­ment between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary begins around 26.755 DKK /approx. 3.567 EUR (April 2018-level) plus pension.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Master of Science diploma and transcript of records. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do
4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 11 August 2019, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 35-36.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk