Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IPHYS) is a leading research institute in the field of normal and pathological physiology. Main goal of the research is to characterize mechanisms of the development of serious human diseases, such as vascular and cerebrovascular events, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, hereditary metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. (
http://www.fgu.cas.cz/en/)
Glucose Homeostasis Unit of the Laboratory of Adipose Tissue Biology at IPHYS (
https://www.fgu.cas.cz/en/departments/biologie-tukove-tkane) is studying physiological regulations of metabolism and their disturbances in obesity and associated diseases (i.e. metabolic syndrome). In order to help in the treatment of these disorders, we are exploring the effect of various diets, medications and natural substances. We are investigating the underlying mechanisms by combining experiments in mouse and cell models with clinical trials to apply new findings to clinical medicine.
We are recruiting a highly motivated Postdoctoral researcher in the field of adipose tissue and liver pathophysiology.
The aim of the proposed project is to elucidate the role of adipose tissue (mainly mesenteric fat depot) in the barrier function of the small intestine, including its microbiome, during diet-induced development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in mice of both sexes, and also to study how supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (mainly through phospholipid-based products) affects the properties of this barrier. Your work will involve: 1) monitoring mice during dietary interventions and performing in vivo analyses including indirect calorimetry, DEXA and various tolerance tests, 2) in vivo determination of intestinal permeability, 3) studying adipose and liver tissue using multi-omic and other analyses, also using ex vivo experiments on adipose tissue explants and isolated hepatocytes, 4) determining changes in whole-body insulin sensitivity using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps in mice, 5) analysis of the acquired data using appropriate software, including Metaboanalyst, etc.
Duration: up to 36 months, starting January 2025.
To learn about our research in this area, please refer to the following publications:
Horakova O. 2019. doi:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30992489/; Sistilli G. 2021. doi:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33084249/.
We require:
• PhD degree (up to 3 years after receiving the degree, except for periods of parental leave, military service and international research stays, in which case up to 5 years after receiving the degree)
• Experience of working in a research laboratory outside the Czech Republic (at least 1 year continuously) and no current employment in the Czech Republic
• Experience in handling laboratory mice, in vitro cell cultures, biostatistics and bioinformatics is considered an advantage.
We offer:
• Working in a creative international environment
• Competitive salary based on internal rules of the Institute, skills and experience of the candidate
• Working benefits (e.g. health insurance, language courses, meal allowance, kindergarten, institutional lodging house)
• Full-time position (1.0 FTE)
• 5 weeks holiday + 1 week additional holiday + 3 sick days
How to apply:
Send your CV (including a list of publications), contact details for 2-3 referees and a motivation letter to
[email protected] by September 16, 2024 at the latest.