Job ID: 87391

Postdoctoral position in neurotrophic factors in the antidepressant mechanisms

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 16 September 2022

Employment Start Date: 16 September 2022

Contract Length: 2 years and extendable

City: Helsinki

Country: Finland

Institution: University of Helsinki

Department: Neuroscience Center / HiLIFE

Description:

Research group of Eero Castrén (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/neuroplasticity-and-neurotrophic-factors) is looking for an enthusiastic young scientist to investigate the role of neuronal plasticity and neurotrophic factors in the antidepressant drug action. We are working in the Neuroscience Center of the University of Helsinki (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-helsinki-institute-life-science/units/neuroscience-center), with excellent facilities and environment.

We have recently discovered that different antidepressant drugs directly bind to the BDNF receptor TrkB (Casarotto et al., Cell, 2021). This project that is supported by a grant by the Academy of Finland will build on these findings and search for novel potential antidepressants that are selective to TrkB as well as on the mechanisms of action on TrkB and its downstream signaling, including neuronal responses and behavioral effects in mice.

The successful candidate should have a doctoral degree and preferentially prior postdoctoral experience, with a strong expertise in cellular and molecular biology, prior experience in neuroscience and mouse behavioral testing is an advantage.  The candidate is expected to do research, supervise doctoral students, and participate in the teaching program of the Neuroscience Center.  There is a possibility to develop towards an independent position.  Salary is negotiable and based on experience.