Doctoral student in Medical Science – Addiction biology

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 53 500 students and 6 500 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Pharmacology is located at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Faculty of Health Care Sciences at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. Several research groups are active at the Department and research is conducted within pharmacology, in particular regarding the central and autonomic nervous system, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism, oncology, addiction and rational use of medicines. We teach at an undergraduate and graduate level at most programmes within the Sahlgrenska Academy, not the least at the Pharmacy and Medical programmes.

Project title: Outlining the role of nicotine as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders

Job assignments

The PhD education in Medical Science comprises carrying out a scientific project and completing at least 30 credits of courses at third-cycle level. The doctoral student must also write a scientific compilation thesis or monograph corresponding to at least 120 credits. For more information about third-cycle studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, see https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies

Project: This PhD proposal aims to look deeper in to the postulated role of nicotine as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Human studies raise concern regarding the high comorbidity between nicotine use and alcohol addiction, and nicotine exposure in utero has been proposed to be a risk factor for developing ADHD or Schizophrenia. Furthermore, repeated exposure to nicotine has been proposed to impair cognitive function, especially in males. To provide a more causal association between nicotine and behavioral transformations, the PhD candidate will study acute and chronic effects by nicotine on neurotransmission and behavior in male and female rodents. Especially, the candidate will conduct behavioral testing on rats exposed to nicotine, and pair these results with chemogenetic and viral approaches combined with electrophysiology and cell biological techniques. Special focus will be on testing the causal relationship between nicotine exposure and increased risk of developing anxiogenic behavior, ADHD-like behaviors, and alcohol addiction, and to correlate these behavioral transformations with selective changes in neuronal circuits. The main technique used will be electrophysiology, and the student will be involved in setting up a model of nicotine exposure in utero. This line of research will greatly add to the debate regarding the risk of tobacco-free nicotine products, such as white portions (vitt snus) and e-cigarettes.

Third-cycle studies are equivalent to four year full-time and lead to a Degree of Doctor. Those appointed to doctoral studentships shall primarily devote themselves to their studies. Those appointed to doctoral studentships may, however, work to a limited extent with educational tasks, research and administration (departmental duties). Before a PhD degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20 per cent of a full-time post.

Eligibility

To be eligible for third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements.

A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies if he or she:
1. has been awarded a second-cycle qualification
2. has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
3. has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad

A person meets the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in Medical Science if he or she has successfully completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies

Assessment

In selecting between applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements, their ability to benefit from third-cycle studies shall be taken into account. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:
– specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
– experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
– scientific analysis and presentation verified through thesis, degree project, scientific journals or the like.

Documented knowledge regarding electrophysiological methods and/or studies of animal behavior, as well as courses in laboratory animal science is meriting.

Employment

After admission to third-cycle studies you will be appointed to doctoral studentship. Regulations for employment of doctoral students are given in SFS 1993:100. The initial appointment may apply for no longer than one year. An appointment may be renewed for no more than two years at a time. A person may be appointed to a doctoral studentship for a total of eight years. The total employment period may, however, not exceed the time corresponding to full-time third-cycle study for four years.

Location: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.

Salaries for doctoral students are regulated in a local agreement at the University.

For further information regarding the position

For more information about the project please contact the principal supervisor,
Louise Adermark, Associate Professor, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology,
phone: +46-317863975, e-mail: louise.adermark@gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services

https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

How to apply

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

You must include the following, in pdf format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of  English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies

If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier. 

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

For information on what you need to submit in order to fulfill the English language requirement see https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Closing date: 2021-10-20

The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.

Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.

Apply