SmartAge ESR project 4

Host: University Hospital Jena, Germany

Secondments: CROmed Research Center, Hungary

The Department of Neurology at the University Hospital Jena, Germany, offers a PhD position for an Early-Stage Researcher (ESR) for the project: Age-dependent gut-brain interactions in mice: modulation by physical activity. The position is part of the EU-funded Innovative Training Network SmartAge (“Gut-brain-axis: Targets for improvement of cognition in the elderly”) with full-time employment for a duration of 3 years, starting in April/May 2021.

Objective of the project: It is widely recognized that physical activity improves overall health and enhances cognition, but the involvement of the microbiome in these processes, particularly in the context of aging, has not really been explored. Here, we will expose mice to a voluntary wheel running at older ages. We expect cognitive improvement and an impact on the gut microbiome, barrier function and inflammaging. Cognitive performance of the mice will be assessed and analysis of inflammatory markers in the brain and gut will be performed. Fecal transfer will clarify the impact of the microbiome on cognition.

The PhD student will join an existing team with extensive knowledge in interventional mice studies, behavioural testing of mice, gene expression analysis, qPCR, aging research and analysis of inflammatory processes.

Requirements for the applicant:  We expect a Master´s degree (or equivalent) in Health and/or Life Sciences or Medicine. Furthermore, the applicant should be able to perform team-oriented as well as independent work. Desirable methodological skills: background in molecular biology, statistics and experience in animal studies (FELASA).

Very good language skills in English are required.

Please note the eligibility criteria for researchers: Candidates must be in the first four years of his/her research career, not have a doctoral degree, and not have resided in Germany for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.

Selection process: Interested candidates please send a motivation letter, a CV including publications (if available), copies of university degrees and courses (including obtained grades), and the names and e-mail addresses of two scientists who can provide references (all summarized in one pdf) to . Preferential treatment will be given to applications received before 26 February 2021.

For more information concerning the research project please contact Dr. Christiane Frahm (Tel.: +49-3641–9325909; email: ).