Seeking a PhD (FI-SDUR) Candidate for the Neuropharmacology and Pain group, University of Barcelona

Research project: “Dynamics of G protein-coupled heteroreceptor macromolecular assemblies in schizophrenia and neurodegenerative disorders”
IP: Francisco Ciruela
Contact: fciruela at ub.edu
Description:
We are searching for a motivated 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”, 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 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. To this end, state-of-the-art technologies may be used: PET imaging, Photopharmacology, Nanobody-based pharmacology and Multi-electrode array (MEA) electrophysiology, within others.
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: June 16th, 2023

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