Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral Researcher

Job description

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva benefits from an enriching multicultural dynamic to which it contributes through its outreach efforts in the context of its core missions: teaching, research, and its partnership with the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG).

As part of a translational neuroimmunology research project led by Dr K. Egervari in Professor D. Merkler’s laboratory, the Department of Pathology and Immunology at the University of Geneva, in collaboration with the Division of Clinical Pathology at the Geneva University Hospitals, is seeking a

Postdoctoral Researcher (80%–100%)

This research group focuses on the immunological processes involved in infectious and autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system, with an emphasis on neuronal alterations. As part of the proposed project, the postdoctoral researcher will investigate how immune-mediated neuronal damage leads to long-term alterations in neural circuits and epileptogenesis, using our unique and well-established mouse model of encephalitis (the “déjà vu” viral model), and will evaluate targeted anti-inflammatory interventions in chronic inflammation-induced epilepsy. More specifically, the project incorporates the following approaches:

• Stereotactic brain surgery in mice
• Long-term electrophysiological recordings and behavioural phenotyping
• Neuroimmunology studies and therapeutic interventions
• Neuropathology, multiplex immunofluorescence, RNA in situ hybridisation, and advanced high-resolution imaging
• Translational validation using human brain tissue from patients with neuroinflammatory diseases, including Rasmussen’s encephalitis.

Required qualifications and skills

• PhD in neuroscience, neurobiology, neuroimmunology or a related discipline; or medical degree (MD) with specific research experience.
• Strong interest in neurobiological processes related to CNS diseases.
• Practical experience with mouse models, stereotactic brain surgery in mice and/or in vivo electrophysiological recordings (EEG/LFP).
• Ability to conduct experiments independently within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas would be an asset: analysis of electrophysiological and flow cytometry datasets; behavioural studies in rodents; histology and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence; flow cytometry; image analysis and quantitative microscopy; programming (MATLAB, Python and/or R); cell culture and molecular biology techniques

Research environment:

The project led by Dr Kristof Egervari is affiliated with Professor Doron Merkler’s laboratory, an internationally renowned research group specialising in neuroimmunology, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, which maintains numerous national and international collaborations and provides an ideal environment for interdisciplinary and translational research in the neurosciences. It is part of an international collaboration aimed at studying T-cell-targeted therapies for the treatment of autoimmune limbic encephalitis and Rasmussen’s encephalitis using validated rodent models, coordinated by the T-CARE consortium. The successful candidate will benefit from exceptional research infrastructure, including facilities dedicated to animal experimentation, stereotactic surgery, chronic electrophysiology, behavioural phenotyping, state-of-the-art microscopy, flow cytometry, neuropathology, molecular biology and bioinformatics support. This position offers a unique opportunity to bridge experimental neuroscience and human neuropathology.

Starting date

to be agreed upon

Contact

If you meet the criteria described above, we would be very pleased to receive your application (CV, cover letter, copies of diplomas and 2 to 3 letters of recommendation). Please apply exclusively online by clicking the "apply now" button below.

For any information regarding this position, please contact kristof.egervari@unige.ch and ilena.vincenti@unige.ch

Further information

One-year fixed-term private law contract, renewable twice.

The University of Geneva offers motivating employment conditions in a stimulating working environment. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to showcase your skills and personality and actively contribute to the reputation of an institution founded in 1559.

In the interest of gender equality, the University encourages applications from the underrepresented sex.