Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research fellow to work in the field of cardiology molecular discovery. Successful applicants will be a part of a dynamic team with a mission to understand how the heart responds to metabolic stress, and discover novel molecular targets to test new therapeutic interventions for diabetic heart disease.
This project is in the field of pre-clinical discoveries in cardiology with a focus on diabetic cardiomyopathy, metabolism and failure. The early occurrence of diastolic dysfunction in otherwise ‘healthy’ asymptomatic diabetic patients has been extensively reported, and is prognostic of later occurrence of heart failure and increased mortality. There are currently no evidence-based treatments for diastolic dysfunction, and our goal is to identify novel mechanisms with therapeutic value.
This role will enable an outstanding emerging scientist to undertake research on a collaborative project in Dr Kim Mellor’s lab at the University of Auckland, and Prof Lea Delbridge’s lab at the University of Melbourne (see lab webpage links below). This project will involve work with experimental models of disease and clinical biopsy samples and employs a range of innovative state-of-the-art techniques including:
- gene editing (Crispr) & gene therapy (AAV)
- VEVO high frequency ultrasound echocardiography
- cardiomyocyte live cell imaging
- isolated heart perfusions
- proteomics, metabolomics, gene profiling
- cell culture of cardiomyocytes
Specific areas of research include:
- diastolic dysfunction
- cardiac metabolism
- autophagy
- signaling regulation & post-translational modification of proteins
- cardiac function (echocardiography)
- cardiomyocyte mechanics and Ca handling (live cell imaging)
For more information please visit our lab webpage:
Mellor Laboratory:
https://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/en/sms/about/our-departments/physiology/research-groups/cellular-and-molecular-cardiology.htmlDelbridge Laboratory:
https://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/sbs-research-groups/physiology/cardiac-phenomicsThis position is for researchers who have completed a PhD, preferably in the field of cardiac or cardiovascular physiology. Technical expertise in molecular biology, cardiac function evaluation, cardiomyocyte live cell imaging, and isolated heart preparations, is highly desired.
We are looking for an eager and enthusiastic scientist with evidence of a quality publication record, with excellent communication skills and willingness to provide leadership. This is a full time role for two years with a preferred start date of end of 2020 (negotiable). The lab is funded by competitive grants from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Marsden Fund New Zealand and the National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia.
