Applications are invited for a British Heart Foundation -funded position of Post-doctoral Research Associate in the Endothelial Homeostasis research group, led by Prof. Anna Randi, to study the control of organotypic endothelial function via transcriptional regulation of endothelial homeostasis. Currently Head of Vascular Science in NHLI, Prof. Randi leads a team of basic and clinician scientists addressing different aspects of endothelial biology, producing world-leading research. (
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/a.randi/research.html)
This project focuses on two of the most important questions currently investigated in vascular biology: the molecular basis for organotypic endothelial heterogeneity, and how endothelial cells determine tissue homeostasis. The project follows our recent discoveries (Birdsey et al., Developmental Cell 2015; Shah et al, Nature Comms 2017; Dufton et al, Nature Comms 2017) on how loss of endothelial lineage and homeostasis causes dysfunction of multiple organs, including heart and lung. These are caused by loss of the master endothelial transcription factor ERG, which is essential for vascular development, angiogenesis and homeostasis.
The aim of this study is to characterise the vascular and organotypic consequences of loss of endothelial homeostasis, using single-cell and bulk RNA-Seq on endothelial cells isolated from different organs, initially heart and lung, using transgenic inducible lineage-specific mouse models developed in the group. The project combines in vivo functional investigations of ERG-deficient murine lines, imaging using confocal microscopy, together with cell and RNA isolation; cell culture and co-culture models will also be used to explore pathways and mechanisms.
Duties and responsibilities:
You will be responsible for carrying out in vivo studies on different transgenic mouse lines, and for supervising breeding and genotyping. You will work in a multidisciplinary collaborative team of researchers with expertise ranging from basic molecular and cell biology to bioinformatics and bioengineering. The environment is ideal for a candidate who is keen to work in a team and bring new exciting ideas that span multiple approaches and disciplines.
Essential requirements:
You should have a PhD in a relevant biological discipline and have experience in studying signalling pathways. A strong background using in vivo models in the cardiovascular area is essential. Previous experience in endothelial and cardiovascular research is desirable, in particular isolation of mouse endothelial cells. Familiarity with basic cell culture and molecular techniques is essential. The post will require collaboration with other groups both within and outside the department, and the ability to coordinate research projects with colleagues inside and outside the College. Enthusiasm, drive and a passion for science is essential for this position.
Further Information:
You will be part of the Vascular Science section, which includes 10 research groups interested in aspects of vascular biology and diseases, including inflammatory chronic diseases, endothelial cell signalling, macrophage biology, pulmonary hypertension. The Section is part of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, with over 300 basic and clinical scientists leading in basic and translational research in the cardiovascular and pulmonary areas. The wider Imperial College environment offers opportunities for collaborations outside NHLI, including with bioengineers and chemists. In 2017, the Imperial Vascular Network (
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/vascular-science-network) was created to capture vascular research across the College and facilitate networking and collaboration. This has highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of Vascular Research, with Bioengineering, Chemistry and Life Sciences, all represented in the Network.
This post is full-time and fixed-term until March 2022.
Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £35,477- £38,566 per annum.
Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Anna Randi at:
[email protected] For technical issues when applying online please email
[email protected] To apply please visit:
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs and search for MED01490
Closing date: 01 November 2019
The College is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/The College believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes where their use is shown to be necessary for developing new treatments and making medical advances. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in the College’s care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level.
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-integrity/animal-research/ Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment. We are an Athena SWAN Silver award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and work in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.
