polymorphisms | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans

Research Positions in Juvenile Diabetes Foundation at University of Cambridge, UK

We have a unique and exciting research opportunity for a postdoctoral immunologist in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation/Welcome Trust Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory  owing to the recent and very rapid progress in discovering genes with polymorphisms that determine susceptibility to type 1 diabetes, one of the most common chronic diseases of children.
We are keen to identify a researcher who wants to make a difference, and can apply a range of skills in immunology, gene expression and function at the molecular cellular and whole organism level, across disciplines. You will need a first class publication record such that you would be highly competitive for a personal fellowship. The position would be available in John Todd’s laboratory, in collaboration with Linda Wicker and David Clayton, with world-class facilities and interactions in the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and the University for functional analyses, including allele-specific gene expression, multicolour flow cytometry and access to blood donors and patients. Our specific aim is to correlate disease-associated genotype with phenotype in order to investigate the pathways that determine development of type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. Senior Research Associate status may be available for suitable candidates, subject to Faculty Board approval.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 23 Feb 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Postdoctoral Position in “Tissue Integrity of the Intervertebral Disc”, Netherlands

The Department of Biomedical Engineering is a joint department of the Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Maastricht interfacing and integrating engineering and biomedical sciences from the two universities. The department is organized into 4 divisions: 1) molecular bioengineering, 2) biomechanics and tissue engineering, 3) biomedical imaging and informatics, and 4) biosignals and regulation.

In the second division is the Orthopedic Biomechanics Section whose general objective is to improve our understanding of function and damage of orthopedic tissues, esp. bone, cartilage and intervertebral disc. Ultimately, these insights are used to develop and improve strategies for treatment of pathologies. For this purpose, we regularly combine experimental and computational approaches. Results from experimental studies on cells and/or tissues are captured in theories that are evaluated using computer models, and predictions by these models are helpful for the design and interpretation of further experiments.

Project description:

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is a common, painful and disabling pathology whose etiology and pathogenetic mechanism is poorly understood. It is generally believed that genetic, cell nutrition and biomechanical factors play a key role; however the interactions between them have been difficult to investigate because of the inherent limitations of current cell and organ culture methods. Among the genetic factors, collagen IX polymorphisms have been identified as a risk factor. In this project, the role of collagen IX will be investigated on the nanoscopic level in collagen gels of chicken. Optical tweezers will be used to analyse the influence of collagen IX upon a collagen network down to the individual fibril level. The resulting finding will be built into an existing FE-model of the degenerating disc.

Requirements:

We are seeking a Post Doc candidate acquainted with optical techniques in biomedical engineering and interested in biological processes and modeling of them. The candidate should be graduated from a Ph.D. program in biomedical engineering, (bio)physics or a related field, with,

* Knowledge of and experience with optical techniques in biomedical engineering,
* Strong affinity for multidisciplinary research and engineering science,
* Capacity to write and communicate fluently in English.

Appointment and Salary:

We offer:

* a challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious University
* an appointment for one year, with the possibility of extension with one year.
* gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU), For the PD position it is increasing from € 2.861 per month initially, to € 2.977 in the second year
* an attractive package of fringe benefits (including excellent work facilities, 13th month salary, holiday allowance of 8%, child care and sport facilities).

Application Deadline 31-08-2010.