Postdoc - Drug development for Alzheimer's disease 80 - 100 %

The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! ###

Your responsibilities

The selected candidate will take a central role in the group's in vitro and in vivo drug-discovery programme. Responsibilities include: (i) setting up in vitro and in vivo blood brain barrier models in the lab and test drug candidates in such models using ELISA or LC-MS etc; (ii) processing brain tissue for histological and biochemical assays, including sectioning (cryostat/microtome), immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, fluorescence/confocal imaging, quantitative large-batch image analysis, ELISA and western blot assays for brain homogenates; and (iii) supporting cell-based assays, including mammalian cell culture, microglial phagocytosis assays and flow cytometry (FACS). The candidate will also contribute to standard biochemical read-outs (e.g. ELISA, Western blot) and to the careful documentation of experimental data.

Your profile

• PhD degree in biology, neuroscience, biomedicine or a related field. Experience in drug discovery in neurodegeneration is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with blood brain barrier research including setting up in vitro and in vivo models, quantitative analysis of drug penetration. Experience with LC-MS is a strong advantage.
• Solid histology experience: tissue sectioning (cryostat and/or microtome), immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, fluorescence/confocal microscopy and quantitative analysis of large image batches (e.g. ImageJ/Fiji, QuPath). Experience with staining and quantifying brain pathology (amyloid-- plaques, tau, neuroinflammation markers) is a plus.
• Cellular biology experience, in particular mammalian cell culture and flow cytometry / FACS (sample preparation, acquisition, gating and analysis). Experience with functional cell assays such as phagocytosis is an advantage.
• Careful, reliable and well-documented working style, the ability to work independently and organise large experimental cohorts, and a collaborative team spirit.
• Solid knowledge of English and good communication skills.