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

PhD Project: Role of glycosphingolipids in neurobiology with emphasis to Parkinsonism and neuronopathic lysosomal storage diseases.

Job description
The PhD Project is part of extensive research on the role of glycosphingolipids in pathological processes in man and the therapeutic value of iminosugars in this respect. Unique small compounds (sugar analogues) have already been designed that are able, amongst others, to extend markedly the survival of mice suffering from neuronopathic lysosomal storage disorders by modulating the metabolism of glycosphingolipids. Recently it has been recognized that deficiency of glucocerebrosidase, a key enzyme in glycosphingolipid metabolism, forms a major risk factor for Parkinsonism. The project aims to elucidate the precise role of glycosphingolipids in the hippocampus and the rational development of potent therapeutic agents for neurological disorders like Parkinsonism.
The Department of Medial Biochemistry encompasses more than 20 researchers studying the role of glycosphingolipids in health and disease, in close collaboration with clinical researchers, neurobiologists and organic chemists. Cell biological approaches, animal models and clinical related studies are conducted in order to address the mechanisms by which glycosphingolipids regulate cellular processes in a highly 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=MedischeBiochemie&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 research and animal experimentation. Candidates will be screened particularly on scientific skills and 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.

Please contact Prof. Dr. J.M.Aerts for more information.
Phone: +31 20-5665156 / Mail: j.m.aerts@amc.uva.nl

This mail address is only for information requests. Please do not apply to this address, but kindly use our special link http://www.amc.nl/werken . This will ensure that you will receive our reply.