"PhD candidate neuroplasticity in depression, physician-researcher (MD)"

Job Summary

As a PhD candidate, you will work at both the Amsterdam UMC and the NIN, acting as a bridge between fundamental and clinical science in a multidisciplinary and translational way. This involves clinical trials with Positron Emission Tomography scans of patients with depression undergoing treatment, as well as performing immunohistochemical stains in the lab to count synapses in post-mortem brain tissue.

Responsibilities

• Delve into literature on neuroplasticity in depression.
• Set up a CSF biobank aimed at collecting CSF from depressed patients.
• Perform O-link proteomics on CSF from the biobank and the Netherlands Brain Bank for Psychiatry (NHB-psy).
• Conduct a study of synapse density in depressed patients undergoing brain stimulation using a new SV2a PET scan.
• Conduct a study of synapse density in post-mortem tissue of depressed patients, using immuno-histochemistry (IHC)/fluorescence and Western blots with synaptic and microglia markers.
• Learn to use high and super-resolution microscopy (STED, confocal).
• Help set up a 'psychiatric autopsy protocol' to improve the donor phenotyping of psychiatric brain donors of NHB-Psy.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A medical doctor (MD) degree with an affinity for neuroscience.
• Demonstrated interest in medical research, particularly neuroscience.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Fluency in Dutch and English.

What the Employer Offers

A flying start to your career in neuroscientific research, working with top scientists and clinicians from renowned institutes. Access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Opportunities to attend conferences and training. A fixed-term contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend to a total of 4 years. Employment by NIN and appointment at Amsterdam UMC, Psychiatry department.