PhD Candidate in Sex-Specific Mechanisms of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Descrizione

PhD Candidate in Sex-Specific Mechanisms of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Sintesi in italiano (traduzione automatica): L'Università di Maastricht cerca un candidato per un dottorato di ricerca sui meccanismi specifici per sesso della cardiomiopatia diabetica. Il progetto, che si svolge presso l'Istituto di Ricerca Cardiovascolare di Maastricht (CARIM), si concentra sull'analisi di come i segnali derivati dal tessuto adiposo influenzano il metabolismo e la funzione cardiaca. I requisiti includono una laurea magistrale in Scienze Biomediche, Biologia Molecolare, Fisiologia o ingegneria biomedica. Il candidato ideale deve avere esperienza in tecniche di biologia cellulare e molecolare, oltre a forti capacità analitiche. Il lavoro prevede collaborazioni internazionali e la pubblicazione di articoli scientifici. Offriamo un contratto di 12 mesi con possibilità di estensione e un salario competitivo. Welcome to Maastricht University! Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of heart failure, particularly in women after menopause. However, the mechanisms driving these sex-specific differences remain poorly understood. In this PhD project, you will investigate how adipose tissue-derived signals alter cardiac metabolism and function in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DbCM). The project combines cardiovascular physiology, molecular biology, metabolism, and translational research within the international SHEA-META consortium, bringing together researchers from Maastricht University, the University of Oxford, and the University of Lille. PhD Candidate in Sex-Specific Mechanisms of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Our goal: At the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), we aim to advance the understanding of how diabetes affects cardiac function at the cellular and molecular level. This PhD project focuses on identifying how adipose tissue-derived secreted factors and extracellular vesicles influence cardiomyocyte metabolism and contractility, and on validating newly identified biomarkers using human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. The project contributes to the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for diabetic cardiovascular disease. Your colleagues: You will be embedded within the Cardiology department at CARIM and work in a highly collaborative, international, and multidisciplinary environment. You will closely collaborate with researchers and clinicians across experimental, clinical, and computational disciplines, gaining exposure to cutting-edge cardiovascular research and advanced cellular models. What you do Your research focuses on understanding how adipose tissue-derived signals contribute to sex-specific differences in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Your tasks and responsibilities include: Investigating the effects of adipose tissue-derived secretome and extracellular vesicles on cardiomyocyte metabolism and contractility. Performing functional and molecular analyses using primary rodent cardiomyocytes and human stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte models. Performing metabolic substrate uptake assays, including glucose and fatty acid uptake measurements using radiolabeled tracers. Validating candidate biomarkers using approaches such as Seahorse analysis, qPCR, western blotting, and CRISPRa/i. Contributing to collaborative multi-omics and translational analyses across the international consortium. Publishing scientific papers and presenting your work at conferences. The project includes close collaboration with partners in Oxford and Lille, with opportunities for international research visits. Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you. What you bring We’re interested in motivated researchers who are excited to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment. You recognize yourself in the following: A Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Cardiovascular Research, (Bio)Medical Engineering, or a related field. Strong interest in cardiovascular metabolism and molecular or cellular biology. Experience with cell culture, molecular biology, or physiological techniques. Hands-on experience with cardiomyocyte models, Seahorse assays, microscopy, western blotting, qPCR, or stem cell models is considered an advantage. Interest in sex differences and metabolic disease. Strong analytical and organizational skills. Ability to work independently within a multi-disciplinary, international team. Excellent written and spoken English. What we offer At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer: A 12-month contract (1 FTE) with the prospect of a 3 year extension. A gross monthly salary between €3059,- and €3881,- (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Annuncio in inglese. Fonte: Euraxess (Commissione europea).