Postdoc in addiction research at Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with an excellent academic background in Neuroscience, for a 2-year position with a start date of May 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

Alcohol dependence is undertreated in Denmark and worldwide, and many patients relapse. There is a strong need for new treatments based on a better understanding of how alcohol, and abstinence after prolonged alcohol use, affect the brain. After alcohol ingestion, the brain partly switches its energy use from glucose to the alcohol metabolite acetate – and more so in heavy drinkers, in whom the switch persists after abrupt abstinence. This led to the hypothesis that when acetate levels suddenly drop, the brain may be “starved” despite normal blood glucose, and that this may contribute to withdrawal symptoms. We further hypothesized that ketone bodies, like acetate, can act as alternative fuel in the brain and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. We found that ketogenic diet or a ketone supplement to regular diet reduced acute and prolonged alcohol withdrawal symptoms in rodents. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are another commercially available dietary supplement that could readily be incorporated into clinical alcohol dependence care. Compared to the KE, MCT are inexpensive and tasteless. MCT also have complex direct effects on neurotransmitter and cellular functions ex vivo, that if applicable in vivo, could ameliorate some consequences of alcohol exposure. Here we will test 1) whether MCT will reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms and alcohol-induced neurobiological imbalances, 2) MCT-supplemented KD may have improved benefits relative to MCT and KD alone. The project combines extensive behavioral testing with analyses of neuronal and glial functions.

The research team

Project leader Morgan Thomsen (morgan.hermann.thomsen@regionh.dk) is an established behavioral pharmacology researcher in the field of substance use disorders. Collaborators on the project bring a deep knowledge of the brain’s energy and neurotransmitter metabolism and the effects of alcohol on the brain in humans and in rodents, e.g., Dr. Leandro Vendruscolo, Chief of Stress and Addiction Neuroscience Unit at NIDA, USA. Dr. Pia Weikop, Associate Professor Celia Kjærby, and Professor Maiken Nedergaard, University of Copenhagen, bring to the project expertise with in vivo microdialysis, sleep analyses, and glial functions (Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen).

You will be responsible for carrying out experiments using various methodologies including behavioral assays, fiber photometry, microdialysis/HPLC, immunohistochemistry, monitoring of natural sleep, and glymphatic flow.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a PhD related to the subject area of the project.

Essential experience and skills:

• Hold a PhD in Neuroscience or a related field
• Authorized to work with laboratory animals (i.e., have completed course in Laboratory Animal Science, FELASA accredited). Applicants who do not hold this certification will be required to complete it before starting any laboratory work.
• Strong problem-solving skills, the ability to generate precise, reliable data and interpret them, working both independently and as part of the team in a collaborative environment

Highly desirable experience and skills:

• Experience with behavioral studies such as voluntary alcohol drinking, oral self-administration, or withdrawal symptoms
• Experience with in vivo virally mediated optical techniques (fiber photometry, optogenetics), including surgical techniques and data analysis
• Excellent written English skills and good oral English skills
• A track record of productivity evidenced by publications in international scientific journals and/or oral conference presentations

Applicants who have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years may be eligible for tax reductions.

Send your written application, in English, via the link no later than 6 March 2024. Please attach:

• Application letter
• Curriculum vitae listing education, relevant course work and technical skills, professional experience, research experience, scientific publications and presentations
• Copy of PhD diploma, as well as Master’s diploma if relevant
• Laboratory animal course certificate

Interviews are expected conducted in early April.

• Fakta

• Arbejdssted
  Psykiatrisk Center København
• Kontaktperson
  Morgan Hermann Thomsen
• Adresse
  Esther Ammundsens Vej 36A, 2400 København NV
• Stillingstype
  Forsker
• Speciale
  Psykiatri
• Ansættelsesform
  Tidsbegrænset periode
• Ugentlig arbejdstid
  Fuld tid
• Ansættelsens start
  01-05-2024
• Regionens jobnr.
  254736
• Quick-nr.
  460060
• Indrykningsdato
  21-02-2024
• Ansøgningsfrist
  06-03-2024 (udløbet)