PhD position in Neuroscience

Organisation/Company Université catholique de Louvain

Department Institutue of Neurosciences

Research Field Neurosciences » Neurophysiology

Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country Belgium

Application Deadline 31 Jan 2024 - 18:00 (Europe/Brussels)

Type of Contract Temporary

Job Status Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Project Title

Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels as novel target for precision medicine in pain

Overview

Painful peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating disorder, reflected in reduced quality of life. Therapeutic strategies are limited and, in most cases, targeted treatments are not available. Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are key cellular sensors of noxious external stimuli at the beginning of the pain pathway. This research project involves the search for recurrent mutations of TRP ion channels in patients with severe chronic pain to understand whether there is a genetic predisposition to the development of the pain conditions and to develop personalized therapies to normalize the activity of the mutant channels.

The present project is strongly multidisciplinary and combines genetic screening of patients, biophysical study of TRP channel variants, use of patient-specific iPSC-derived sensory neurons, and rational design of TRP channel modulators.

To this end, we use functional techniques, including patch clamp electrophysiology and cellular imaging, to measure ion channel activity and the effects of mutations and pharmacological agents on the biophysical properties of ion channels. In addition, we employ animal models that mimic neuropathic pain conditions to conduct preclinical testing of potential therapies.

Principal investigator and host laboratory:

Roberta Gualdani, Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), UCLouvain, Belgium.

Requirements

Research Field Neurosciences » Neurophysiology

Education Level Master Degree or equivalent 

Skills/Qualifications

Requirements

The candidate should hold a master's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Medicine, Chemistry, Biomedical and Health Sciences or related fields at the start of the position. In addition, the candidate should have a keen interest in ion channel biophysics and pain signaling.

The candidate should be fluent in English and/or French.

The application should include a complete CV, a motivation letter explaining why the applicant is best suited for this project, and 2 letters of recommendation.

Languages ENGLISH

Level Excellent

Languages FRENCH

Level Good

Internal Application form(s) needed

Roberta Gualdani PhD POSITION.pdf English (216.73 KB - PDF)

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Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1

Company/Institute Institute of Neuroscience, UClouvain

Country Belgium

City Brussels

Postal Code 1200

Street Avenue E. Mounier 53