Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position) / DC11 for MSCA Doctoral Network “Brain Health in Menopausal Women (MenoBrain)”

7 Nov 2025
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Vilnius University

Department

Life Sciences Center

Research Field

Neurosciences
Biological sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Country

Lithuania

Application Deadline

15 Dec 2025 - 18:00 (Europe/Vilnius)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Feb 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - MSCA

Reference Number

MenoBrain-DC11

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101227102

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania offers a PhD position for a doctoral candidate/MSCA fellow for the project: “Menopausal hormonal treatment (MHT), cognition, and microRNA - microbiome dynamics in ageing mouse model.” The position is part of the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network MenoBrain “Brain Health in Menopausal Women” with full-time employment for a duration of 3 years, starting in February 2026.

Objective of the project: Effects of menopausal hormonal treatment (MHT) on brain function, cognition, the gut microbiota, and molecular biomarkers in a menopause mouse model. It focuses on understanding the role of the HT in neurobiological processes related to cognitive decline, emphasizing microRNA and gene expression in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, as well as the gut microbiota, to uncover mechanisms and biomarkers for menopause-related cognitive changes.

Where to apply

E-mail

menobrain@med.uni-jena.de

Requirements

Research Field

Neurosciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Requirements for the applicant: We expect a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field. Candidates with a background in Psychology may also be considered if they have strong experience in experimental research. Strong skills in molecular biology techniques and statistical analysis are required. Experience with experimental animal handling is desirable, and familiarity with bioinformatics or sequencing data analysis will be considered an advantage. Furthermore, the applicant should be able to work both independently and in a team. Very good language skills in English are required.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

NeurosciencesBiological sciences

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer a fully funded MSCA fellowship with network-wide training weeks, summer schools, international conference participation, and interdisciplinary training through secondments. The candidate will join a multidisciplinary research team focusing on the microbiota-gut-brain ageing and the early stages of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Salary and allowances are provided according to Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funding rules, including mobility and, if applicable, family allowances.

Eligibility criteria

MSCA eligibility (must-have): At the time of recruitment, candidates must be in the first four years of their research career, must not hold a doctoral degree, and must not have resided in Lithuania or carried out their main activity (work or study) there for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the recruitment date.

Selection process

Interested candidates please send a motivation letter, a CV including publications (if available), copies of university degrees and courses (including obtained grades), and the names and e-mail addresses of two scientists who can provide references (all summarized in one pdf) to menobrain@med.uni-jena.de .

Please indicate the DC position you applying for (DC11) in the subject line. Applications that do not meet the profile and/or the above criteria cannot be considered. Preferential treatment will be given to applications received before 15 December 2025.

For more information concerning the research project, please contact Dr. Aurelijus Burokas (email: aurelijus.burokas@gmc.vu.lt ; phone: +370 52234382).

Website for additional job details

https://www.uniklinikum-jena.de/menobrain/en/Recruitment+_+Open+Calls.html

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Vilnius University

Country

Lithuania

City

Vilnius

Postal Code

01513

Street

Universiteto g. 3

Geofield

Contact

City

Vilnius

Website

https://www.uniklinikum-jena.de/etnsmartage/en/

Street

Universiteto g. 3

Postal Code

01513

E-Mail

menobrain@med.uni-jena.de

STATUS: EXPIRED

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