PostDoc - Methods to evaluate neuropathic pain manifestations

Neurophar Laboratory / Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Barcelona, Spain

Deadline: 28th February 2014.

Description

Specific issue of the position: Development of new reliable methods to evaluate neuropathic pain manifestations and treatment and the influence of emotional traits responsible for inter‐individual variability

Research project: The position is framed within a FP7 EC‐funded project,NeuroPain, which is coordinated by the Director of the group, Rafael Maldonado. This proposal profits from the expertise of several complementary

European research groups leading behavioural, electrophysiological, genetic and clinical studies in order to generate new neuropathic pain models of high predictive value for the preclinical evaluation of novel treatments and the identification of biomarkers of inter‐individual variation and treatment effectiveness in human patients.

Requirements

The candidate will be involved in the development of new reliable methods to evaluate neuropathic pain manifestations and treatment and the influence of emotional traits responsible for inter‐individual

variability. Candidates should hold (or commitment to have it before May 1, 2014) a PhD degree (Biology, Pharmacology, Neurosciences, Medicine, Psychobiology, Pharmacy or related subjects) and have a strong scientifictechnical background in experimental pain models. In particular, the desired

candidate must have an excellent knowledge of behavioural models of pain, including thermal nociceptive models (Hot‐plate, Tail‐Flick, Tail‐Immersion), neuropathic pain models (sciatic nerve ligation) and mechanical perception models (Von Frey filaments). Moreover, knowledge of other behavioural paradigms (e.g. operant, anxiety and depression models) will be an asset, as well as to master immunohistochemistry, biochemical and molecular biology techniques. She/he should be fluent in English and have an interactive personality.

More information and applications

Group: The selected person will supervise a small team of 3 PhD students and 2 technicians, will report directly to the Director and will have a good opportunity to further develop her/his professional career in this field.

Offer: the selection is to be carried out immediately, with a deadline for application on the 28nd of February, 2014, whilst start working is planned not later than May 1st, 2014. The fellowships is awarded for a period of 3 years,with a competitive salary (47.300 €/yr gross) and an initial contribution to research costs.

Important notice: the interested candidates should meet Marie Curie‐like transnational mobility criteria (not have spent in Spain more than 1 year in the last 3 years immediately prior to the submission of the application).

Applications should include:

- A full CV.

- A statement of research interests and plans (motivation letter).

- The names of three scholars who are willing to serve as references for the applicant.

Contact: please, send you application (letter of intent plus updated cv and three referees) showing the reference POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW NEUROPHAR by e‐mail to: Miquel‐Àngel SERRA (info.neurophar@upf.edu), Phone number:(0034) 93 3160866