Early Stage Reseacher.

 

 

We are seeking highly motivated candidates with a strong academic record holding a Master degree or equivalent .

 

Background - The Project

Over 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy and 30% are resistant to our present therapies. Epilepsy, therefore, comprises a major burden to society and so there is a pressing need for new approaches to treatment. The brain extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in governing brain excitability and function. Although research into the role of the ECM in neuronal signalling and network function has advanced considerably in recent years, its full translational potential has yet to be realised. There is growing evidence for a major role of the ECM in epilepsy including the association between ECM protein mutations and epilepsy, changes in the ECM and associated proteins during the development of epilepsy and the strong association between the ECM and brain diseases associated with epilepsy including stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurodegeneration and autism.

This is a 3-year EU-funded inter-disciplinary position which is available in one of the institutes of groups of the ECMED European Training Network (ETN), a consortium of 9 leading European research institutions and 2 industrial companies that will involve 12 Early Stage Researchers working collaboratively to determine the role of brain extracellular matrix in the development of epilepsy and to develop novel approaches to treat and to prevent epilepsy. The ETN partner labs cover a broad range of expertise including neurophysiology, behavioural studies, epilepsy models, molecular biology, peptide and protein chemistry, viral vectors, and drug and peptide development.

 

 

Given that the positions are funded by the European Commission on a H2020-MSCA-ITN, eligibility restrictions apply:

• Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) shall, at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. Full-time equivalent research experience is measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree which would formally entitle him or her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited.

• Mobility Rule: at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

• Each ESR will be supported by the project for a maximum of 36 months.

• All ESRs will take part in a secondment to another project partner for up to 30% of their appointment period (see details below).

• Mobility Allowances and Family Allowances (dependant on family circumstances) are payable to ESRs.

 

 

Secondments

At least two secondments of 2 months each to the collaborating partners will be organised during the project.

 

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties which are broadly in line with the above duties responsibilities.

 

 

We offer

• A 3-year EU-funded inter-disciplinary position which is available in one of the partners institute.

• Salary:   This position is funded by a Marie Curie Initial Training Network initiative.

Salary includes a living allowance, adjusted for location and a € 600 mobility allowance. An addition € 500 family allowance may be payable depending on circumstances.

 

The successful candidates will benefit from a wide-ranging training programme featuring local, network-wide, and external activities with many opportunities for travel to the other European partners in the network. In addition to top-level specific scientific training in the disciplines, techniques and topics investigated at each node, such programme will include (but is not limited to) attendance to international schools, exchanges and secondments to other nodes, specific training on transferable skills, and in particular courses on scientific communication (e.g. scientific writing for publications, and presentation skills) and specific training on intellectual property rights (IPR) protection.

 

 

 

How to apply:

 

Interested candidates should submit their applications before May 30th, 2015 through online submission .

Details on available on this website

Usually requested (but check on the individual pages please)  a CV, a copy of higher education diploma, a list of completed subjects and grades achieved, and a motivation letter stating research interests and indicating the first and second choice among ECMED partners.