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Project title: Preeclampsia and the brain – clinical and pre-clinical studies of cerebral complications in preeclampsia
Job assignments
The PhD education in Medical Science comprises carrying out a scientific project and completing at least 30 credits of courses at third-cycle level. The doctoral student must also write a scientific compilation thesis or monograph corresponding to at least 120 credits. For more information about third-cycle studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, see https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies
Project: Preeclampsia affects 2-8% of pregnant women, presenting as hypertension together with other organ impairment. It originates in the placenta and the pregnant woman’s endothelium and might cause organ injuries in all internal organs but particularly lungs, heart, liver, the coagulation system and the brain. Cerebral complications secondary to preeclampsia are among the most common causes to direct maternal mortality. Low-middle income countries are the most severely affected. In addition, women with preeclampsia run an increased risk of stroke, dementia, epilepsy and cognitive failure later in life. The cause behind acute cerebral complications is thought to be cerebral edema and neuroinflammation that arise secondary to altered cerebral blood flow regulation and an injured blood-brain barrier but the exact mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated. There is a lack of reliable predictors of women at risk of cerebral complications. In addition, there is a gap in knowledge how blood pressure medications and preventive treatment for convulsions act on the brain in preeclampsia. An improved understanding of this could lead to development of more efficient treatment and hopefully a better short- and long-term prognosis for these women.
The project is divided in two parts and will:
1) Evaluate biomarkers in blood in women with newly diagnosed preeclampsia with the aim to identify reliable predictors for acute cerebral complications in preeclampsia
2) Evaluate the effect of established and new neuroprotective treatment in preeclampsia in a pre-clinical experimental animal model.
The first part of the project will use blood samples from an ongoing cohort of women with preeclampsia and eclampsia in South Africa, run by the main applicant and co supervisor Dr Cluver. In the second half of the project, we are currently setting up a preclinical animal model, the so-called RUPP model, where preeclampsia is induced by reduced uterine blood flow in pregnant rats.
Third-cycle studies are equivalent to four year full-time and lead to a Degree of Doctor. Those appointed to doctoral studentships shall primarily devote themselves to their studies. Those appointed to doctoral studentships may, however, work to a limited extent with educational tasks, research and administration (departmental duties). Before a PhD degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20 per cent of a full-time post.
Eligibility
To be eligible for third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements.
A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies if he or she:
1. has been awarded a second-cycle qualification
2. has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
3. has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad
A person meets the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in Medical Science if he or she has successfully completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies
Assessment
In selecting between applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements, their ability to benefit from third-cycle studies shall be taken into account. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:
– specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
– experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
– scientific analysis and presentation verified through thesis, degree project, scientific journals or the like.
Documented experience with laboratory based work and working with laboratory animals is of merit. In addition, knowledge within the field of pregnancy and pregnancy-related disease is also of merit.
Employment
After admission to third-cycle studies you will be appointed to doctoral studentship. Regulations for employment of doctoral students are given in SFS 1993:100. The initial appointment may apply for no longer than one year. An appointment may be renewed for no more than two years at a time. A person may be appointed to a doctoral studentship for a total of eight years. The total employment period may, however, not exceed the time corresponding to full-time third-cycle study for four years.
Location: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.
Salaries for doctoral students are regulated in a local agreement at the University.
For further information regarding the position
For more information about the project please contact:
Principal supervisor Lina Bergman, Associate Professor, Institute of Clinical Sciences,
e-mail: lina.bergman.2@gu.se
Assistant supervisor Joakim Ek, Associate Professor, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology,
email: joakim.ek@gu.se
Unions
Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply
Information for International Applicants
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How to apply
In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
You must include the following, in pdf format
- Personal letter
- CV
- Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
- Proof of completion of English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies
If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier.
If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.
For information on what you need to submit in order to fulfill the English language requirement see https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Closing date: 2021-11-09
The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.
Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.
In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.