PRR Project

Summary

The Neurobiology and Neurologic Diseases (NND) integrative program at i3S is offering an open-ended contract as Principal Researcher to an Established Reseacher (R3) or Leading Researcher (R4) developing exciting research in the field of Neuroscience.One of the strategic objectives of the NND program is to conduct robust fundamental research, understanding the mechanisms that underly specific brain related diseases, identifying targets for innovative translational approaches, and cross-talking with clinical partners.  The NND program hosts several research groups addressing common neurologic diseases, which include epilepsy, Alzheimer´s and other dementias, stroke, migraine, ataxias, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson´s disease, drug use, and traumatic conditions of the nervous system. In collaboration with the Infection, Immunity & Regeneration and the Cancer programs, the NND program also addresses neurological infections and brain tumors. Globally neurologic diseases affect millions of people worldwide, are the second major cause of death and a leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The burden of neurological diseases is accompanied by stigma and discrimination, hampering life opportunities, increasing the risk of poverty, and compromising accessment to health care. Focusing on epilepsy, nearly 80% of the 50 million people with epilepsy live in low/middle-income countries, where treatment access is limited. To address this, WHO set an intersectoral global actionplan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022–2031, which is coordinated with the 2030 Agenda.In this scenario, improving the understanding of what causes these diseases and the development of new approaches for treatment and prevention, is of upmost relevance, and is perfectly aligned with both the mission and scientific strategy of i3S, and with the strategy of the NND program, that is willing to reinforce research in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Neurobiology of Disease, and Translational and Clinical Neuroscience.With the purpose of fully potentiating the NND program and responding to one of the main objectives of the FCT-Tenure Program, i.e. provide professional stabilization of researchers and their lines of research, this Principal Researcher position will be attributed to an outstanding candidate developing research activity on exploring fundamental differences in astrocyte-neuron interactions at excitatory and inhibitory tripartite synapses, untangling how astrocytes influence synaptic transmission and information flow in the central nervous system (CNS), ensuring an adequate balance in excitation/inhibition balance in key CNS processes, such as learning and memory, and how imbalanced and aberrant tripartite synapses may contribute to CNS diseases, and more specifically to epilepsy. To address these questions, the successful candidate is expected to propose outstanding and innovative methodological approachs, that will further capacitate the NND integrative program in assessing synaptic function, and that may lead to important translational advances in the field.The selected candidate will be expected to lead a Research Group that matches and reinforces the scientific interests and strategy of the NND integrative program. In that role, he/she is expected to demonstrate strong leadership skills, assemble his/her own team and secure extramural funding for his/her research. The selected candidate must hold a PhD in Health/Life Sciences, or related areas for 12+ years, an excellent scientific track record, and is expected to pursue highly innovative research projects in frame of the NND Integrative Program. The selected candidate must be experienced in supervising PhD and Master students, and willing to contribute to the i3S training mission, by supporting advanced training and participating in graduate and PhD programs. The selected candidate is also expected to carry out duties to which he/she has been elected or appointed in i3S collegiate bodies. Engagement into the i3S educational program and outreach activities is also expected.