Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Molecular Biology and Genetics programme. The position is available from August 2025 or later.
Title:
Neurophysiological defects in O-GlcNAc transferase intellectual disability
Research area and project description:
Would you like to work on your own project as part of a multidisciplinary team trying to uncover the mechanisms behind an intellectual disability syndrome linked to a defect in protein glycosylation?
Come join the van Aalten lab, a highly international, multidisciplinary and well-funded research group dissecting the newly discovered syndrome O-GlcNAc Transferase Intellectual Disability (OGT-CDG). Patients (mostly children) suffer from cognitive, motor and a range of other deficits, that we have recently been able to model in mice. You will work with primary neurons or brain slices derived from these mice, using electrophysiological approaches to distinguish neurodevelopmental from neurophysiological defects and then use a range of state-of-the-art techniques to drill down into mechanisms driving pathogenesis. We actively work with clinicians, patients and their families (as part of the Cure-OGT organization that we have helped set up) and there will be opportunities to interact with these.
For further information about our work, please visit the group webpage (https://mbg.au.dk/xxx/ or for the latest research results LINKEDIN).
Before applying, please first contact Daan at daan@mbg.au.dk to learn more about the PhD position, discuss projects and the application process. There may be opportunities for short-term employment before committing to a PhD.
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 must have a relevant Master’s degree in neurobiology with a good track record as evidenced by a co-authorship on a scientific publication. Experience with primary neuron cultures and multi-electrode array electrophysiology is particularly favoured. Previous experience with animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders is a plus, as is an understanding of glycobiology (O-GlcNAc specifically).
As this PhD project takes place in a large interdisciplinary research group, the following personal characteristics are essential:
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Professor Daan van Aalten, daan@mbg.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 2025)
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.
