Job Academic Medical Center (AMC) - PhD student Department of Medical Biochemistry

The PhD project is part of extensive research on the role of glycosphingolipids in pathological processes in man and the therapeutic value of pharmacological manipulations in this respect. The PhD is closely linked to a senior post doc.
Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate and connected to this, pathological states such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. An important contributing factor to insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes is a chronic low grade of inflammation. Recently we have found that inhibition of glycosphingolipid synthesis by using iminosugars improves whole body insulin sensitivity in rodent models of obesity/type 2 diabetes, reduces hepatic steatosis and lowers inflammation both in adipose tissue and liver. The exact mechanism for this observed insulin sensitizing actions is not unravelled yet and is subject of current research.
The Department of Medical Biochemistry encompasses various researchers studying the role of glycosphingolipids in health and disease. Close collaborations exist with clinicians, in particular endocrinologists and organic chemists. Cell biological approaches, animal models and clinical related studies are conducted in order to address the mechanisms by which glycosphingolipids contribute to type 2 diabetes. Research will be carried out in a competitive, international and stimulating environment.

For most recent publications see http://bibliotheek.amc.uva.nl/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/mb/wetreg/WetRegApp.cgi?Mode=LZ_zoek&zoekveld1=afdelingid&zoekterm1=Medische Biochemie&zoekid1=3&jaar=2010

We ask for an enthusiastic, optimistic, and motivated PhD-student with a Masters degree in Medical Biology, Biology, Biochemistry or Medicine and affinity for Biochemical and Immunological research. A certificate for animal experimentation (article 9) is a pre. Candidates will be screened particularly on scientific skills, attitude, motivation and team playing capacity.

The full time salary starts at € 2086,- and will maximally be € 2673,- gross per month in the last year. The duration of the appointment is 4 years.

For additional information you can contact Dr. Marco van Eijk, Phone: +31 20-5665136.