Seeking a PhD (F.P.I.) Candidate for the Neuropharmacology and Pain group -University of Barcelona

Research project: “Dynamics of dopamine-adenosine heteroreceptor macromolecular assemblies in schizophrenia and neurodegenerative disorders”
IP: Francisco Ciruela
Contact: fciruela at ub.edu

Description:
We are searching for a motivated, hard-working and enthusiastic PhD student to join the Neuropharmacology and Pain research group at the University of Barcelona (http://www.ub.edu/neuropharmpain/). The selected candidate will apply for a 4-years FPI fellowship associated to the project entitled “Dynamics of dopamine-adenosine heteroreceptor macromolecular assemblies in schizophrenia and neurodegenerative disorders”, recently granted by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades.

The identification and characterization of druggable membrane macromolecular assemblies (MMAs) containing specific G protein-coupled receptors (i.e., dopamine, adenosine, glutamate, and orphan receptors), the improvement of the pharmacological profile of current therapeutic agents (i.e., antipsychotics, antiparkinsonians) and the design of more efficient and controlled drug delivery strategies (i.e., photopharmacology) are major challenges in neuropharmacology. In addition, finding out new ways to early diagnose neurological diseases is also a major aim to achieve high quality life standards. Accordingly, the initial hypothesis that supports the objectives of this project revolves around the idea that targeting GPCRs within their native environment (i.e., MMAs) will provide a more realistic pharmacotherapeutic profile of putative drug candidates for the management of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Overall, our project may represent a golden opportunity to train a new generation of researchers in a truly inter-disciplinary setting with particular emphasis on translational research, thus driving students to conceive projects from the lab to bench side and vice-versa.

Background of the group: List of publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=ciruela+f&sort=date

Candidate*:
●The holder of the grant will be expected to complete a PhD degree in the Doctoral Programme in Biomedicine (http://www.ub.edu/doctorat_biomedicina/) or in Medicine and Translational Research (https://www.ub.edu/portal/web/medicina-ciencies-salut/doctorat-medicina-recerca-translacional) during his/her grant tenure.
●Candidates with a grade and master’s degree in Biomedicine or Neuroscience (or relative) holding an average score ≥ 8.2/10 are welcome
●Good English level
●Experience in biomedical research will be valued
●The grant will cover stages abroad to expand scientific training.

Interested applicants should send a letter of interests by e-mail to Francisco Ciruela (fciruela@ub.edu) including: i) CV; ii) Academic records (grade and master)

Deadline: October 18th, 2021

• We may offer a nine-months contract to support competitive PhD applications until the FPI fellowship will be resolved.