Netherlands : A POSTDOC Position (3 years)is available at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour

A POSTDOC Position (3 years)is available at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences (NCMLS),  Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands to establish and study Drosophila models of ADHD.

Department and groups:
The Human Genetics Department Nijmegen is a leading place for research into brain disorders including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with clinical research, gene mapping and functional studies working hand in hand. The host group of Annette Schenck dissects gene function and mechanisms that underlie brain development and cognition using Drosophila as a primary research tool, and aims to translate this knowledge back to humans. The project will be carried out in a close collaboration with the lab of Barbara Franke. She heads the International Multicenter persistent ADHD CollaboraTion (IMpACT), a consortium of 5 European, 2 US and 1 Brazilian groups, which has extensive phenotypic and genetic data of more than 3000 adult ADHD patients, the largest clinical ADHD sample available worldwide.

Job profile:
ADHD is a highly heritable and genetically complex disorder. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have implicated a series of genes, yet their function is poorly understood and proof that these genes regulate neuronal development and function relevant to ADHD is, in most cases, missing. This project, funded through the NWO Brain & Cognition Excellence programme, strives to collect this proof for a selection of published and unpublished ADHD genes and to unravel the role of these genes in different aspects of neuronal development, function and in relevant animal behaviours such as activity, learning and memory.
Genes will be initially investigated using available genome-wide resources for gene manipulation and assays that are established in the host laboratory. The labs, department and collaborators offer great opportunities to follow up on the most interesting genes/phenotypes in flies and humans, e.g. by dissection of associated signalling pathways, by the identification of genetic or chemical modifiers that alleviate determined fly phenotypes, and by translating findings back to the human situation using neuroimaging techniques and neurocognitive testing in conjunction with association and mutation testing in exceptionally large patient samples (performed by others but involvement is possible). 
This project aims to conceptually advance our understanding of the Genetics and Neurobiology of ADHD. We are particularly interested in the arising concept that ADHD results from neuronal connectivity defects and in the genetic and neurobiological overlap with other cognitive disorders such as mental retardation and autism that we investigate in large scale.

Requirements:
•  A PhD in a domain of Molecular Life Sciences  •  Strong background in Drosophila genetics, and ideally in neurobiology • good knowledge in molecular and cell biology •  creativity and high affinity for fundamental research related to human disease  •  Highly motivated, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and with the strong wish to work interdisciplinary

Send your application including letter of motivation, CV and two letters of recommendation to:
Dr. Annette Schenck, E-mail: a.schenck@antrg.umcn.nl Only complete applications will be considered. Closing date is October 1st, 2010.

Further Information

Application Deadline : 1 October 2010

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Posted on 2010-08-16 08:39:50

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