Use an innovative molecular histology approach to unravel pathofysiological pathways of renal disease in a translational research project. 

A position for a Postdoc is available in the Pathology Dept. of Maastricht University Medical Center+, on a collaborative project with M4I (Prof. Dr. Ron Heeren). The research is  embedded in the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM) of the Maastricht University Medical Center+.

There is an urgent need to develop biomarkers for early detection of acute and chronic kidney disease in patients, as these diseases are associated with higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Previously we found an important role for damage to the microvasculature (i.e. capillary rarefaction) in an early stage of renal disease development (Steegh et al. JASN 2011). Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) can be used to identify metabolites and hitherto unidentified compounds at a high spatial resolution in tissue sections. In this research project this novel and innovative technique will be applied on renal biopsies in early disease stages. Furthermore, the pathofysiological significance of identified compounds for capillary loss in relation to inflammation and fibrosis in renal and cardiovascular disease will be studied, using animal models and in vitro systems.  

This Postdoc project is an excellent opportunity to use innovative tissue techniques to unravel pathofysiological pathways, with the ultimate goal to implement the acquired knowledge into day to day clinical practice.

Applicants should hold a PhD degree in Medicine, Health Sciences or Biology. Individuals with prior experience in tissue techniques (Mass spectrometry imaging, (renal) histology, immunohistochemistry) and endothelial cell biology (in vivo and in vitro) are encouraged to apply. You should display great team spirit, perseverance, a driven, independent and curious nature, and excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/support/um-employees

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,300 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases

The Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), School for Cardiovascular Diseases, is one of the top institutes for translational cardiovascular research in Europe. It is among the world leaders in the fields of research into vascular and thrombotic disorders and atrial fibrillation as well as translational heart failure research. It has also made important international contributions to molecular imaging in the cardiovascular field.

With an annual budget of approximately 22 mln Euros in 2017, CARIM is one of the largest cardiovascular research institutes in Europe, producing more than 500 scientific articles and approximately 40 PhD dissertations per year. CARIM employs 250 researchers from 13 disciplines, about 100 PhD students and 40 technical and support staff members.

Over the last ten years, CARIM papers have been published in high-impact journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Nature Medicine, Nature Cell Biology, Cell Metabolism, Journal of Experimental Medicine, Circulation, Lancet Neurology, and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Bibliometric analyses illustrate that CARIM publications have been cited 1.97 times more often than the world average for the cardiovascular field in the period of 2009 until 2012.

CARIM is recognized by the KNAW as a research school and as an international training site for Early Stage Researchers in the framework of the Marie Curie Program.

Cardiovascular scientists from around the world join CARIM because it values open communication, close cooperation, high ambitions, good facilities and a critical learning environment.

https://www.carimmaastricht.nl/?culture=en-GB