There exists no cure for pressure overload-induced heart failure (PO-HF), a life-threatening

condition affecting millions worldwide. Hypertension and aortic stenosis are leading risk factors of PO-HF. Interestingly, premenopausal women are at lower risk of developing PO-HF. Our current molecular understanding of what triggers heart failure and determines its progression in both genders remains incomplete. Our team recently showed that changes in cardiac energy substrate uptake and cardiac mass precede the drop in energy status and cardiac dysfunction. In collaboration with the academic hospital (cardiology), the current translational project will investigate PO-HF development in a gender dependent manner and explore the potential of a chosen therapeutic target. Hereto, you will 1) study the (patho)physiological role of this target in substrate uptake and protein synthesis in ex vivo rat and in vitro human cardiomyocytes as well as human cardiac biopsies, 2) set-up an in vivo myocardial imaging toolbox, and 3) test the effectiveness of an existing drug in restoring cardiac function in PO-HF.

This PhD Studentship for a 1.0 f.t.e. position for 4 years is funded by the Dutch Heart Foundation (Nederlandse Hartstichting). Eligible are enthusiastic candidates with a finished Master’s degree in Molecular Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Biology, or Medicine. Experience with cell culturing (including human stem cells), rodent handling, Western blotting, standard biochemical techniques, radioisotope labeling, Langendorff perfusion, microscopic staining, in vivo PET scanning is appreciated. We welcome good team collaboration and communication skills, as well as willingness to participate in international collaborations.

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 http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

Maastricht University

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 18,000 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.