OPEN CALL for 1 PhD position (3 years) and 1 Post-doctoral position (1+1 years)

DOPAMINERGIC MODULATION OF CD4+ T LYMPHOCYTES: RELEVANCE FOR NEURODEGENERATION AND NEUROPROTECTION IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE - THE DOPAMINERGIC NEURO-IMMUNE CONNECTION

OPEN CALL
for
1 PhD position (3 years)
1 Post-doctoral position (1+1 years)

at the Center for Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria (Varese, Italy) to work on the elucidation of dopaminergic modulation of T cells - and in particular of the main regulatory subset - in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Results will show whether T cells play a relevant role in PD and in particular whether intrinsic dopaminergic pathways in these cells may represent a target for pharmacotherapeutic intervention. Novel information will help to clarify whether a direct effect on peripheral immunity contributes to the overall therapeutic activity of current dopaminergic treatments: if this would be the case, then their therapeutic potential could be better exploited and optimized. In addition, in depth understanding of the role of T cells could provide unanticipated opportunities for the experimental use of specific immunomodulating approaches targeting these cells as novel neuroprotective strategies in PD.

The PhD position is open for three years and will start November 1st 2012 (formal selections will take place in September-October 2012). Salary will be 12.500 €/year (plus taxes/social security), 50% increase for up to 12 months permanence in foreign research institutions to perform activities related to the project.
Applicants should submit a presentation/motivation letter, a curriculum vitae including a full list of publications and at least two references, at their earliest convenience and possibly not later than July 31st 2012 to marco.cosentino@uninsubria.it and to lab.pharm@uninsubria.it. E-mail submissions must include the subject “PhD position”.

The Post-doctoral position is open for 1+1 years, with fixed-term full-time contract, beginning January 2013 (formal selections are expected to take place in November-December 2012). Salary will be 21.000-24.000 €/year, taxes/social security included.
Research activities will focus on WP#1 and #2 of the Project. The Post-doctoral researcher is expected to support the PI in the coordination of the research project and to collaborate actively with other group members. She/He will also provide guidance to PhD and MSc students and is expected to effectively deliver outputs/disseminate results through scientific publications.

The profile of the ideal candidate should include:

• PhD degree (not dating back more than 5 years) in pharmacology, immunology, neuroscience (or in related disciplines, e.g. physiology, biochemistry, molecular cell/biology) with documented post-doctoral research experience;
• experience in flow cytometry, real-time PCR, confocal microscopy, separation and culture of human immune cells (skills in molecular biology, spectrofluorimetry, spectrophotometry will be additional credits/assets);
• fluent in both written and spoken English and endowed with collaborative attitudes and excellent communication skills.

Applicants should submit a presentation/motivation letter, a detailed curriculum vitae including a full list of publications and at least two references at their earliest convenience and possibly not later than September 30th 2012 to marco.cosentino@uninsubria.it and to lab.pharm@uninsubria.it. E-mail submissions must include the subject “Post-Doctoral position”.

Download the .pdf file of the call - link (552 Kb)