Postdoctor in Cardiopulmonary Research - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Our newly established research group at the Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, is looking to fill a position of a postdoctoral researcher (m/f) with the main focus on sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling during chronic heart failure.

Our work concentrates on the investigation of cellular signaling pathways and pathophysiological mechanisms, which underlie changes in pulmonary homeostasis during heart failure. To identify potential target structures for new therapies, we study cellular functions in different models of heart failure using in vivo and ex vivo methods. We offer a project in a motivated international research team, the possibility to apply state-of-the-art techniques and the interaction with other international pre-clinical research groups as well as clinical researchers through the Wallenberg Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Lund University.

Work duties

The position holder will participate in a research project to investigate the involvement of S1P signaling in pulmonary homeostasis during heart failure in mice. The project will mainly engage the use of the following techniques:

- in vivo work in mouse models (incl. surgical induction of myocardial infarction –LAD ligation or transverse aortic constriction-, blood pressure measurements, different treatment routines), and

- ex vivo studies in a model of acute heart failure (ex vivo lung perfusion model); assessment of (murine, human) smalls vessel function using myography techniques, as well as molecular, histological and immunological experimentation in murine and human tissue.

- in vitro experiments comprising an array of molecular, histological and immunological techniques.

Qualifications

Requirements

PhD in Natural Sciences or Medical Sciences

Proven experience to perform microsurgical procedures (i.e., the cannulation of the vasculature of the heart or comparable sized vessels) is required. Previous practical experience in work with research animals (particularly with genetically modified models and mouse models of lung diseases such as, elastase-induced emphysema model), and the ability to independently perform extensive cellular and molecular analyses of different murine and human tissues are required. Solid knowledge in pulmonary research is required. The position requires expertise with precision cut tissue slices (i.e., lung slices), 3D ex vivo tissue cultures and profound knowledge in standard bright field and fluorescence microscopy techniques and histology.

Good English language skills (speaking and writing) are required.

Merits

Ideally, the candidate has proven experience with tissue of human origin and ex vivo cultivation. An engineering background with expertise in perfusion bioreactors and organ printing would be beneficial for the development and establishment of ex vivo models. Desirable techniques include Western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and cell culture. Previous experience with confocal microscopy, live cell imaging, in vivo imaging approaches, de- and re-cellularization, a bioinformatics background and experience with proteomics and mass spectrometry datasets is considered to be a merit. Interest in international exchange is strongly encouraged.