MSc/PhD Student Position “Using Fruit Flies to Characterize Mechanisms of Nerve Cell Degeneration or Proliferation” University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

One MSc or PhD student position is available for a September 2015 start date to study mechanisms determining the degeneration or the proliferation of neurons using the D. melanogaster fruit fly model. The two complementary projects will use common assays to investigate the following questions: i. How does calcium and redox signaling between the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and mitochondria determine neuronal degeneration and inflammation. ii. How does the neurofibromatosis type 2 gene product Merlin determine neuronal proliferation.
The project is part of a collaboration between the Simmen and Hughes laboratories that aims to further use the fruit fly model organism for the characterization of the fundamental cell biology behind neurodegeneration and childhood tumors of the nervous system. A publication list and more information about the labs can be found on these two sites
http://www.cellbiology.ualberta.ca/FacultyMembers/ThomasSimmen.aspx
http://www.cellbiology.ualberta.ca/FacultyMembers/SarahHughes.aspx

The location of the research project is at the University of Alberta, the 5th largest University in Canada with world-class biomedical research labs. The University of Alberta Cell Biology graduate program is amongst the best Cell Biology programs worldwide. Edmonton is a culturally vibrant, young city that lies in close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, offering excellent opportunities for sports enthusiasts.
Minimal requirements are competitive grades from an internationally acclaimed University. Applicants need to provide a cover letter that outlines their career objectives and why they would like to enter a PhD program, CV and scanned university grades. Outstanding applicants from Europe are encouraged to apply, but must have excellent English knowledge both spoken and written (high TOEFL/GRE scores or equivalent). Successful applicant will have to enter the University of Alberta Cell Biology graduate program. Detailed instructions for prospective applicants can be found here
http://www.cellbiology.ualberta.ca/~/media/cellbio/Documents/Graduate_Manual_March_13_2015.pdf

Address further inquiries to

Thomas.Simmen@ualberta.ca or Sarah.Hughes@ualberta.ca