POSTDOC POSITION in Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology and Mechanics

Medical Faculty of Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic invites excellent scientists to apply for

POSTDOC POSITION in CARDIAC CELLULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY AND MECHANICS

Description:

Adequate electrical activity is vital for the proper mechanical function of the heart. Its disturbances resulting in arrhythmias are the basis of myocardial dysfunction in various cardiac pathologies. Our research group is working at the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University (MU; Brno, Czech Republic; https://www.med.muni.cz/o-fakulte/organizacni-struktura/pracoviste/fyziologicky-ustav/vyzkumna-skupina-markety-bebarove). We mostly focus on analysis of changes in cardiac cellular electrophysiology and mechanics caused by pharmacological agents or variants in genes encoding cardiac ionic channels and associated proteins, using both electrophysiological techniques (whole cell patch clamp and microelectrode array techniques) and optical analysis of cardiomyocyte contraction and Ca2+ transient. These studies proceed in tight cooperation with clinical cardiologists and geneticists from the University Hospital Brno. The experiments are performed on enzymatically isolated cardiomyocytes, cell lines expressing human cardiac ionic channels, and cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs).

We are looking for a motivated postdoc interested in the field of cardiac cellular electrophysiology and experienced in the differentiation of hiPSC-CMs.

The successful candidate should:

• Hold a Ph.D. or its equivalent, awarded within the past 7 years, AND have worked in research for at least 2 years of work, within the last 3 years, outside the Czech Republic (with a workload equivalent to at least 0.5 full-time employment)
• Alternatively, hold a Ph.D. diploma (or equivalent) from an international institution awarded within the past 3 years
• Have a publishing record – in the last 3 years at least 3 publication outputs (“articles”) above the field median (at least 2 of them in Q1) registered in the Thomson Reuters Web of Science

Specific criteria:

• have experience in the differentiation of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
• have experience in the field of cellular electrophysiology (patch clamp and/or multielectrode array techniques) (an advantage)
• have experience with research projects (an advantage)
• have excellent communication skills and teamwork

The application should include:

• a CV including a list of publications
• a diploma (recognition for diplomas from foreign institutions)
• a cover letter, including a description of a) your most important research contributions, why your research is important and what impact it has had, b) your research interests and career aspirations, and c) why are you interested in this position.
• contacts for two referees
• documents proving the candidate has worked at least 2 whole years in the last 3 years outside the territory of the Czech Republic and/or a PhD diploma from a foreign institution

MU offers the opportunity to get:

• initial appointment for 2 years
• an interesting job in a dynamically-expanding university area
• diverse and challenging work in an excellent research environment
• a professional team and pleasant working conditions
• interaction with leading scientists in an inspiring, internationalised environment
• a welcome service for the successful candidate and his/her family

Anticipated start date: The position is available from April 2025 or upon agreement

The submission deadline is 31st January 2025

For more information, please contact Martina Vráblíková by e-mail vrablikova@med.muni.cz.
A review of applications will commence immediately after the deadline. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview within one month of the deadline.

Further information about:

• Medical Faculty is available at https://www.med.muni.cz/en
• Masaryk University is available at https://www.muni.cz/en
• Brno is available at https://www.gotobrno.cz/en/