PhD cardiologie

Heart failure is a major health problem, causing severe symptoms and increased mortality. Essential micronutrient deficiencies are common in patients with heart failure, adding to the burden of disease. Among the most important of these is deficiency in selenium (prevalence 25%). Our team's recent research has resulted in optimized methods to detect subjects with this deficiency and to identify how this affects the human cardiomyocyte. Although multiple treatment strategies are now available, further research is required to determine their effectiveness.

Project Description:For this project, the doctoral student will create three-dimensional human heart tissues and subject them to micronutrient deficiencies to identify innovative targets and mechanisms. Next, the different treatment strategies will be tested. In collaboration with a medical PhD student, stable isotope targeting studies will be conducted in patients with severe heart failure.

• Key Responsibilities:Employ an array of methods including cell culture, tissue engineering, histology, and transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic assays
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals
• Lead to an academic dissertation (PhD)

You will work within an exceptional team:

• Strong interaction between experimental, genetic, epidemiological, and clinical research groups, all situated on the same floor
• The Principal Investigator (PI) is actively engaged, fostering interactions with team members and conducting weekly meetings
• Well-funded environment ensuring unrestricted access to resources necessary for the successful execution of your project
• Collaborate with various PhD students and postdocs dedicated to the same research topic, fostering a collaborative dynamic
• Maintain strong connections with the translational cardiology community in both Europe and the USA

Candidate Profile

• A master’s degree in (bio-medical or medical) sciences
• Interest in translational cardiology
• Previous hands-on experience with cell or animal models of heart disease
• Affinity with data analysis is a big plus
• Able to express oneself in English in word and writing
• 2 references from PIs of Bachelor and/or Master projects

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position. In case of specific professions, a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.