PhD Scholarships, Department of Health Science & Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark (2017)

The programme FRESCO@CNAP, which is co-funded by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (Horizon 2020), aims to install early stage researchers (PhD fellows) in the Centre-of-Excellence CNAP conducting frontline research on novel tools for identifying and modulating human pain mechanisms.

CNAP is a basic research Centre-of-Excellence established by the Danish National Research Foundation at SMI® - Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark.

CNAP offers: Several full PhD scholarships to explore neuroplasticity and pain aiming on models for provocation, probing and modulation of such. The PhD scholarships include a competitive salary including all university fees, health insurance, experimental running costs, and well-equipped office and laboratory facilities. The CNAP PhDs will join an inspiring, enriching, and productive cross-disciplinary research center including staff with internationally recognized track records. Approximately 50% of CNAP staff originates from outside Denmark. CNAP recruits highly qualified and committed candidates worldwide who demonstrate great research potential. CNAP provides assistance to relocate to Aalborg, Denmark. All research at CNAP is conducted in accordance with the present ethical guidelines.

CNAP background: CNAP applies a basic research approach where new advanced biomedical provocation and probing platforms will be discovered and applied to study novel aspects of the human pain neuroplasticity. When an injury results in acute pain, the nervous system undergoes an adaptive neuroplastic response resulting in an increase in sensitivity. After some time, the pain neuroplasticity is normalized as the injury heals. In some cases, such neuroplastic processes fail to normalize during convalescence, and acute pain develops into chronic pain with hypersensitivity. The continuing pain after injury resolution may be due to maladaptive pain neuroplasticity. In contrast, advantageous neuroplasticity permits the nervous system to cope with challenges such as maladaptive pain neuroplasticity to help returning to a pain-free state. New and better treatments are needed to modulate maladaptive pain neuroplasticity.

CNAP requests: The successful candidate for a FRESCO@CNAP PhD scholarship holds a Master’s degree in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, pharmacology, medicine or equivalent with the prospect of pursuing studies on the human pain neuroplasticity utilizing biomedical technologies (e.g. quantitative assessment) and human pain and itch biomarkers. Translational animal studies, human experimental and clinical studies are within the scope of CNAP aiming at improving the understanding of human pain/itch neuroplasticity. Insight into fundamental pain mechanisms and their clinical impact is an advantage, but not a requirement. A high proficiency in oral and written English is required. Good dissemination skills are important.

Further details:
PhD Scholarships, Department of Health Science & Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark (2017)