Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Biology programme. The position is available from August 2024 or later.
Title:
Metabolic and Respiratory Physiology in the Zebrafish Retina
Research area and project description:
Fish have a unique way of supplying oxygen to the light-sensitive retina within the eye. Here, the blood is extensively acidified, which pushes oxygen off hemoglobin into the retina. While this process secures the supply of oxygen to the retina, it creates oxygen and proton levels that are ten times higher than in the remaining central nervous system. This extreme respiratory microenvironment creates an extensive pH disturbance and oxidative stress in the retina that would kill most other animal cells.
In this PhD project, the PhD student will use the zebrafish retina as a model tissue for understanding the cellular mechanisms for improved oxygen delivery, pH regulation, and antioxidant defense. Here, the student will use in vivo measurements of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in the retina and integrate these data with molecular data from single and spatial transcriptomics.
The project will be supervised by Christian Damsgaard and will be carried out in the Section for Zoophysiology, which offers a dynamic and ambitious research environment.
Work on this PhD project will be conducted as a part of a larger project on zebrafish retinal function funded by the Villum Foundation. Within the project, you will collaborate closely with other students and postdocs within the group as well as national and international partners, where extended periods abroad are expected.
For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. When - as here - you apply for a specific project, please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.
Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants to the PhD position must have a recent Master’s degree or a Bachelor´s degree and one year of Master´s studies within Biology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Bioinformatics, or similar. The successful candidate has a solid background in biochemistry and physiology and strong analytical and numerical skills. Prior experience with cell biology or transcriptomics from courses or laboratory work is an advantage.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Section for Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, C. F. Møller Alle 3, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Professor Angela Fago, angela.fago@bio.au.dk or Assistant Professor Christian Damsgaard, cd@bio.au.dk
How to apply:
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.
When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 March 2024)
Please note:
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
