Project "Nutraceuticals: a shield against chronic disease"
1. Duration and Location: 2 years fellowship. Estimate start date is 1st Marsh 2010. This is a fulltime position with Pro INSA, Lisbon, Portugal.
2. Main Job Function: The workplan for this position is to to test whether two nutraceuticals, Curcumin and Synbiotic 2000TM, alone or in combination therapy, are capable of preventing the development of chronic diseases, in two different experimental models: gastric carcinogenesis and NASH. The bacterial microflora in faeces and intestinal mucosa will be studied by culture methods and multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The basis of the molecular mechanism at the origin of nutraceuticals beneficial effects will be also studied:
a) identification of the genes specifically regulated upon nutraceuticals administration in the organs relevant for each of the disease models studied;
b) establishment of a correlation between gene expression pattern and beneficial effect of nutraceuticals in chronic inflammatory disease, and
c) test whether either nutraceuticals affect cellular responses to classical TLR mediated inflammatory signals.
Candidates with experience on molecular microbiology and/or immunology are also encouraged to apply.
3. Technical Managers: Jorge Machado (INSA) and Miguel Seabra (Instituto Glubenkian de Ciência).
4. Academic Requirements: Applicants must have a licence on Medicine, Pharmacy, Biology or other closely related fields and publications in refereed journals.
5. Other Technical Skills: Candidates must be fluent in English. Candidates with a minimum two years experience in this field will be given preference.
6. Salary: 980€ net monthly pay.
7. Application procedures: must include a CV (4 page max.), a motivation letter, links to previously published papers and a list of up to 2 previous supervisors or employers that may be contacted for reference. Degree certificates will be required for successful candidates.
8. Application deadline: 15th February 2010.
9. Evaluation Criteria: In order of importance; candidates must be fluent in English, have a CV relevant for the position and have good communication (writing) skills.
10. Contact: Jorge Machado jorge.machado@insa.min-saude.pt