Job Information
- Organisation/Company
- KU Leuven
- Research Field
- Medical sciences
- Researcher Profile
- Recognised Researcher (R2)
- Country
- Belgium
- Application Deadline
- Type of Contract
- To be defined
- Job Status
- Full-time
- Hours Per Week
- 38
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
- Not funded by an EU programme
- Reference Number
- BAP-2022-815
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
- No
Offer Description
The postdoc position is embedded in the broader project on cardiac fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms, a core research topic in Experimental Cardiology. We have previously established the diversity of myofibroblasts in the heart after myocardial infarction (Nagaraju et al., 2017) and their interaction with cardiac myocytes (Nagaraju, Dries et al., 2019). We have also reported the reversibility of the myofibroblast phenotype in the human heart in late stages of heart failure (Nagaraju et al., 2019). Presently we address diversity of fibrosis and myofibroblast cell types in different disease etiologies through gene-expression studies, asking which cell profiles regulate unwanted fibrosis and hold promise of reversibility. Rich transcriptomics data are the starting point for functional mechanistic studies exploring phenotype diversity and impact on cardiac function, in particular interactions with cardiac myocytes. The postdoctoral fellow will lead these functional studies using live cell imaging and assessing membrane transport and electrophysiology, with manipulation of signaling pathways and gene expression.
External funding supports the position and the research. The Department of Cardiovascular Sciences has extensive facilities for functional confocal imaging, electrophysiology and molecular studies. Human fibroblastic cells and cells from ischemic cardiomyopathy are available in a continuous program and biobanking further supports access to tissue and cells.
Selected references
Nagaraju CK, et al. Myofibroblast Phenotype and Reversibility of Fibrosis in Patients With End-Stage Heart Failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 May 14;73(18):2267-2282.doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.02.049.
Nagaraju CK, Dries E, et al. 2019. Myofibroblast modulation of cardiac myocyte structure and function. Sci Rep, 2019; 9(1):8879. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-45078-2.
Nagaraju CK, et al. Global fibroblast activation throughout the left ventricle but localized fibrosis after myocardial infarction. Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 7;7(1):10801. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-09790-1.
Requirements
Additional Information
- We offer a fully funded postdoctoral fellowship for 2 years, with potential extension to a 3rd year. We will support applications for independent external funding.
- We provide excellent opportunities for broader skill development.
- You will join an enthusiastic, multinational research group.
- KU Leuven offers a stimulating environment for international students and support for junior scientists.
- You hold a PhD-degree or equivalent in Biomedical, Life Sciences, or related areas.
- Experience in cell isolation and culturing, live cell imaging and electrophysiology is expected, preferably within the cardiovascular system.
- You are flexible, able to work independently and have a problem-solving attitude.
- You are highly motivated to work in a multidisciplinary research team, and have excellent communication skills in English.
- International mobility is a plus.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Karin Sipido, tel.: +32 16 33 08 15, mail: karin.sipido@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. H Llewelyn Roderick, tel.: +32 16 37 71 50, mail: llewelyn.roderick@kuleuven.be.
You can apply for this job no later than 02/01/2023 via the online application tool
- Website for additional job details
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven
- Country
- Belgium
- City
- Leuven
- Postal Code
- 3000
- Geofield
Where to apply
- Website
Contact
- City
- Leuven
- Website
- Street
- Parijsstraat 72b
- Postal Code
- 3000
- karin.sipido@kuleuven.be
- Phone
- +32 16 33 08 15
- Mobile Phone
- +32 16 33 08 15