PhD fellowship in Uncovering the Genetic Link between Food Intake and Addiction
We are offering a PhD scholarship in Uncovering the Genetic Link between Food Intake and Addiction commencing August 1, 2019.
Our group and research
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) was established in 2010 to conduct fundamental research on metabolism. It is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. The Center has around 200 employees from all over the world. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research represents a highly international research environment characterised by teamwork and collaborations across a range of biomedical disciplines. Its employees moved into new laboratories, offices and meeting rooms in the Maersk Tower in summer 2017.
The Kilpeläinen Group investigates how genetic variation contributes to obesity and related metabolic disorders and interacts with the environment, modifying the effect of physical activity, diet, and other lifestyle factors on weight gain and metabolic health. The overarching goal of the group is to provide key biological insights and seek ways for translating genetic discoveries to target preventive and treatment strategies with increased precision.
Project description
The reward system of the brain plays a critical role in the regulation of food intake, but also in the development of addictions towards stimulants such as alcohol and nicotine. Evidence from recent studies suggests that there may be overlapping biological pathways within the reward system between individuals with obesity and those susceptible for developing addictions. This has raised a hypothesis about the existence of shared genetic mechanisms between food intake and addiction. Genetic studies provide new opportunities for identifying such overlapping mechanisms, by identifying specific genes and biological pathways that are linked to both addiction and obesity. The aim of the present project is to assess whether addiction and obesity are genetically linked, identify the specific genes that are involved, and the impact of these genes on the sensitivity of the brain towards rewarding stimuli.
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Tuomas Kilpeläinen, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, E-mail: tuomas.kilpelainen@sund.ku.dk
Start: August 1, 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, interdisciplinary 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 research
- Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project
Key criteria for the assessment of candidates
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project e.g. biomedical sciences, molecular biomedicine, or molecular biology, and experience on analyzing human genetic data as well as working with in vivo Caenorhabditis elegans and mouse models, including a FELASA ABD certificate.
Other important criteria are:
- Additional professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme, including statistical analysis methods, experience on clinical studies, working with cell cultures etc.
- Prior knowledge in metabolic research
- Previous publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other professional activities
- Experience with working in an international environment
- Skills in interdisciplinary research work
- Fluent English language skills
Place of employment
The place of employment is at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, bioinformatic and statistic guidance, and access to big data from multiple cohorts.
Terms of employment and employment
Terms of employment and employment
The employment as PhD fellow is a full time and for 3 years. Starting date is August 1, 2019.
The appointment as a PhD fellow is for 3 years. It is conditioned upon the candidate’s successful enrolment in the PhD 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 candidate.
The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the University’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.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://employment.ku.dk/phd/?show=149510