spectroscopy | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 4

University of Lund, PhD studentship in Experimental Medical Science 2011 in Sweden

Monitoring neurodegenerative disease progression using high–field MR imaging and spectroscopy.Parkinson’s disease is characterized by neurodegeneration of specific cell populations in the brain. The pathology is known to involve a process leading to accumulation of abnormal proteins in the cells. In particular, aggregates containing alpha–synuclein is thought to be in the core of the pathology. While in some cases the aggregates and neuropathology is restricted to nigral dopamine neurons in others there is a more widespread pathology that involves also forebrain areas and leads to a behavioral phenotype characterized with not only a motor but also a cognitive deficit.

Basic entry requirements for PhD studies are: a degree at advanced level, courses to an extent of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 at advanced level, or corresponding proficiencies aquired in Sweden or elsewhere.Specific qualifications for the project are as follows:
1. Documented knowledge in high field MR physics obtained through documented training in this area.
2. Documented experience in methods needed for the project obtained via practical project work in the laboratory.
3. Advanced level knowledge in written and spoken English. Successful applicant must be able to document ability to write scientific reports in a relevant field.

The student will take part in teaching activities in line with recommendations and requirements to complete a PhD program at the Medical Faculty at Lund University.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 2011-02-11

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Membrane Pump Structure and Function, UK

Applications are invited from post-doctoral scientists to join a group directed by Professors Vassilis Koronakis and Colin Hughes, using molecular, biochemical, biophysical and structural biology approaches to study TolC-dependent tripartite pumps that direct (type I) protein toxin secretion and (multi)drug efflux by bacteria.

Applicants should have a PhD and a background in biochemistry and molecular biology, and experience in biochemical, biophysical and/or structural biology approaches would be beneficial. The successful candidate will apply biochemical approaches e.g. site-specific cross-linking, ITC, fluorescence spectroscopy, to study membrane proteins and complexes, and mechanisms of export and efflux.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 18 February 2011.

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Doctoral Studentship in Physics, Lund University, Sweden

The PhD project forms part of a larger project dealing with the spectroscopic investigation of chemical dynamics in liquids and solutions under the title: “Femtosecond Soft X-ray Spectroscopy of Matter under Realistic Conditions”. The aim is to drive the development of soft X-ray scattering of electron and configuration dynamics of biological relevant systems towards a routinely applicable method.

The technology employed is resonant spectroscopy at the K-edges of Carbon, Oxygen and other chemical relevant elements. This method is available only at accelerator based light-sources, mainly synchrotrons but also the new free-electron lasers. The PhD candidate will be enrolled at Uppsala University, but located at MAX-lab in Lund (Sweden). A part of the experimental work will most likely be performed at other places, e.g. at BESSY in Berlin or SLS/PSI in Switzerland.

Scholarship Application Deadline:2011-02-15

Further Scholarship Information and Application