We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for a PhD student fellowship to join our team at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), in Genova, Italy.
The overall goal of our research is to understand the genetic bases that cause the development of specific cognitive abnormalities and schizophrenia neuropathology. While several potential schizophrenia-susceptibility genes have been identified, effect sizes are very small and replication is inconsistent, likely because of the complexity of human polymorphisms, genetic and clinical heterogeneity and the potential impact of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. In this context, mutant mice bearing targeted mutations of schizophrenia-susceptibility genes are unique tools to elucidate the neurobiological basis of this devastating disorder. Using genetically modified mice for genes relevant to schizophrenia, we will then employ a combined approach beginning at the behavioral level and culminating at the cellular and molecular levels. Cognitive abnormalities are core enduring symptoms in schizophrenia, dramatically contribute to poor functional outcomes in patients and currently represent a great “unmet therapeutic need”. We then mainly focus our work on behavioral cognitive analyses and relative neuronal correlates.
The IIT in Genova provides state-of-the-art research facilities in mouse behavioral phenotyping, molecular and cellular biology, imaging and electrophysiology. It brings together a large number of researchers with diverse backgrounds working together to achieve a high standard in training education.
The research fellowship is intended for a 3-year PhD position starting from January 2013.
Applications should include a cover letter, a CV, and at least two reference letters. Please send this material to:
Dr Francesco Papaleo
Team Leader
Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30
16163 Genova - Italy
Phone: +39 01071781786
E-mail: francesco.papaleo@iit.it
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