Maria Björkqvist

Lund University is recruiting a doctoral student to investigate how biological clock disturbances influence Huntington’s disease (HD), an inherited neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement, cognition and psychiatric function. The project focuses on the relationship between circadian rhythms and disease progression. The body’s biological clock regulates sleep, metabolism, immune function and brain activity, while individual cells and organs maintain their own rhythms. Because sleep and circadian disturbances are common in HD and may contribute to neurodegeneration rather than simply reflect its symptoms, the project will examine whether modifying clock function can alter the course of the disease. The doctoral student will study the effects of the expanded CAG repeat mutation and huntingtin protein in neuronal and peripheral cells. The research combines in vitro and in vivo experiments with molecular biology, microscopy and RNA sequencing. The role involves balancing hands-on laboratory experimentation with data analysis, including investigation of gene-expression changes and biological-clock mechanisms. The student will join the Biomarkers in Brain Disease research group within the Department of Experimental Medical Science. The group works on disease mechanisms in the body and brain in Huntington’s disease and is active in the European Huntington’s Disease Network and Lund University Huntington Centre. The wider workplace brings together five research groups studying neurodegenerative diseases, with approximately 25–30 people sharing equipment, chemicals and joint laboratory meetings. This creates an international and collaborative research environment with opportunities for scientific discussion across related areas of neuroscience and experimental medicine. The doctoral student may also participate in supervising Bachelor’s or Master’s students while developing expertise in neurodegenerative disease research, molecular biology, circadian biology and biomarker-oriented investigations.