Description: In the context of a newly awarded project from the European Research Agency Cardiovascular Disease (ERA-CVD) program and funded through the French National Research Agency (ANR), the patho-physiology group of the Electrophysiology and heart modeling institute (
https://www.ihu-liryc.fr/en/) is seeking a highly qualified motivated individual to fill a Post-Doctoral Fellowship position in the area of translational cardiac electrophysiology.
The project integrates European collaborators, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Germany) and the Medical University of Vienna (Austria), to develop a medical catheter integrating a novel combination of optical modalities with electrical mapping and ablation to diagnose, guide treatment and validate treatment efficacy in a single system. The optical configuration will be a first-of-its-kind in cardiac electrophysiology mapping, enabling high resolution tissue characterization at bio-molecular and structural levels for mapping of cardiac disease and improve perception of heart tissue vulnerable to arrhythmic behavior.
Responsibilities: We are looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow with interest in pursuing research projects within one or more of the following areas:
• Comparative functional-substrate mapping to evaluate the interplay between electrical dynamics and tissue remodeling in disease.
• Development and optimization of structural imaging of cardiac disease in large mammalian tissue.
• Support of preclinical evaluation and clinical translation of catheter prototype testing in electrophysiology studies.
Mentoring and Context: The candidate, whose principal investigator will be Dr. Richard Walton, will work in a rich environment, including the use of chronic large mammalian models of cardiac disease, in vivo cardiac mapping, ex vivo heart perfusion and opto-electrical mapping and in vitro structural imaging. The project takes place in direct collaboration with local clinical and European partners. The site includes three dual camera optical mapping systems, microCT, histology and immunology suite, operation rooms and an angiography catheter laboratory, all available on a single platform dedicated to large mammalian translational research. Training can be provided in each of these areas.
Qualification: Candidates should hold a PhD degree in physiology, biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering or biomedical imaging. Motivation and rigor combined with a capacity to work as a team are expected. Experience in one or more of the following areas are highly desirable:
• Optical mapping
• Computed tomography (micro)
• Image processing
• Heart perfusion, with emphasis on large mammalian preparations
• Scientific programming (MATLAB, Python, PV wave)
Appointment Length and Duration: 2-year post-doctoral fellowship with potential for extension to three years.
Start date, from September 2019.
Location: Electrophysiology and heart modeling institute (IHU-Liryc), Bordeaux, France.
Contact: For more information or to apply for the position (including an up-to-date CV and motivation letter), please contact Dr. Richard Walton (
[email protected]).