Postdoc position: Investigating the contributions of fibroblast-cardiomyocyte interactions to h[...]

Karlstad University; Louvain; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prestigious university in Belgium is seeking a junior postdoc to investigate fibroblast-cardiomyocyte interactions in human cardiac pathophysiology using a living tissue slice model. The position offers a 2-year salary and access to excellent research facilities. Candidates should hold a PhD in a relevant field, with experience in optical imaging and molecular analyses. The university promotes an inclusive work environment and encourages diversity among its staff.

Prestations

Excellent research facilities

Opportunities for training and career development

Qualifications

• Experience in cardiac electrophysiology is preferred.
• Familiarity with single cell RNA-Seq analysis and viral vector techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsabilités

• Conduct experiments to investigate cardiac function using living tissue slices.
• Prepare and culture living cardiac slices from human samples.
• Evaluate effects of pharmacological and genetic modifications.

Connaissances

Cell culture

Optical imaging

Molecular analysis

Formation

PhD in relevant field

Outils

Fluorescence imaging

Confocal microscopy

Viral vectors

Description du poste

KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.

The Lab of Experimental Cardiology is part of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at the KU Leuven and includes research teams led by Prof. Eef Dries and Prof. Llewelyn Roderick. The joint focus of our teams is to study cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the physiological and structural changes in the heart that occur during disease and ageing that contribute to decreased function and arrhythmia.

Our experimental approach combines a variety of advanced physiological and molecular technologies, ranging from single cell analysis of physiology, transcriptome, epigenome to the use of multicellular native and engineered preparations as well as in vivo. The goal is to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical observations with the ultimate aim of defining new targets for therapy.

The team has a long-standing expertise in cardiac electrophysiology, Ca2+ homeostasis and cellular/structural remodelling with disease. Extensive facilities are available for functional imaging, electrophysiology, access to large animal models and human cardiac tissue samples, molecular tools and expertise.

Responsibilities

In this project, we will investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to decreased function and arrhythmia in cardiac disease. We will use a recently described living tissue slice experimental model (including in human), which preserves cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, allowing a more physiological assessment of myocardial function.

Experiments will be informed by single cell RNA-Seq analysis of failing human hearts from which candidate genes and pathways will be probed for their function. Gain and loss of function of targets of interest will be achieved using cell type specific expression cassettes introduced using viral vectors and using pharmacological tools.

Consequences of these interventions will be assessed using optical signals, contractility measurements and molecular analyses. Funding is initially available to support a 2-year position.

The candidate will prepare and culture living cardiac slices from human samples of different disease etiologies. Identified targets from ongoing work will be modulated using pharmacological interventions and/or genetic modifications.

Functional and molecular readouts will be used to evaluate the effects of these interventions. Key methodologies include: Living cardiac tissue slices, optimization of slice culturing, live fluorescence imaging (calcium and voltage indicators, including genetically encoded), viral vector and slice transduction, confocal microscopy, immunostaining, and immunoblotting

Profile

Offer

We offer a 2-year junior postdoc salary, excellent research facilities and opportunities for broader skill development (training, education and career development). You will be part of a multinational research group.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment.

In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status.

Job details

Postdoc position: Investigating the contributions of fibroblast-cardiomyocyte interactions to human cardiac pathophysiology using a living tissue slice model

Closing on: 2025-11-04 (Europe/Brussels)