Job ID: 85495
Post-doctoral Position in Neurotoxicology – UNIL
Position: Post-doctoral Position
Deadline: 15 August 2022
Employment Start Date: 1 October 2022
Contract Length: 1 year, with possibility of 2 years renewal
City: Lausanne
Country: Switzerland
Institution: University of Lausanne
Department: Department of Biomedical Sciences
Description:
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to study myelin disruption in the context of regulatory developmental neurotoxicology.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines test guidelines to evaluate the toxic potential of chemicals and assure human health. However developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) is not systematically studied due to the high number of animals and time-consuming experiments it would require. The OECD and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are currently developing a Guidance document to evaluate DNT effects based on an in vitro testing battery of assays. This would improve current testing and speed up the replacement of in vivo studies. Myelin formation has been considered one of the most important key events occurring during brain development and a sensitive endpoint by OECD. However, a myelin assay has not yet been incorporated into the testing battery due to the difficulty to obtain myelin in vitro. By using a human iPSC-derived brain 3D model, this project aims to validate a test method for further incorporation in OECD guidelines. Myelin quantification will be performed using a training set of chemicals to evaluate the readiness of the method. In addition, high throughput screening will be evaluated.
The candidate is experienced in the field of iPSCs. Expertise in 3D in vitro models and toxicology is highly appreciated. Candidates are required to be fluent in written and spoken English.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in neurobiology and neurotoxicology, a proven track record of success, is passionate about the topic and able to work independently.
The research will be carried out in the group of Marie Gabrielle Zurich under the supervision of Dr. David Pamies, at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
The University of Lausanne is a higher teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties where approximately 15,000 students and nearly 5,000 collaborators, professors, and researchers work and study. Ideally situated along the lake of Geneva, near Lausanne’s city center, its campus brings together over 120 nationalities.
IMPORTANT!! Highly motivated candidates are encouraged to apply by sending their CV, along with a motivation letter, and two recommendation letters, through the official UNIL platform:
For further details about the project, please contact Dr. David Pamies: david.pamies@unil.ch