PhD Position Right Heart Failure, Inflammation & Early Detection in LVAD Patients

Heart failure affects over 60 million people worldwide. Although left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are lifesaving in advanced heart failure, 30–40% of patients develop right heart failure, leading to major morbidity and mortality. Current risk models insufficiently capture right ventricular function and inflammatory status, resulting in late detection and limited treatment options. The mechanisms driving right heart failure after LVAD implantation remain incompletely understood.

In this PhD project, you will study how pre-existing inflammation, the peri-operative inflammatory response, and right ventricular loading conditions interact to drive right heart failure after LVAD implantation. By integrating clinical data, invasive hemodynamics, imaging and circulating biomarkers, the project aims to:

• Understand the mechanistic drivers of right heart failure post-LVAD, with a focus on inflammation, right ventricular hemodynamics and sex differences.
• Develop a clinically applicable risk stratification tool that integrates inflammatory, hemodynamic and imaging parameters to support LVAD eligibility assessment and early detection of right heart failure.
• Evaluate innovative therapeutic strategies, including transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, to assess their potential to modulate post-operative inflammation and reduce right heart failure risk.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a MD degree, with a strong interest in cardiology, heart failure and inflammation. You have affinity for clinical research and strong analytical skills. You communicate effectively, work well in a multidisciplinary environment and are enthusiastic to collaborate with clinicians and biomedical researchers. Experience with cardiovascular research is considered advantageous but not required.

A strong command of the Dutch language is essential, as you will be in frequent contact with patients.

Are you the person we are looking for? Submit your application including your CV, a motivation letter and two reference letters.

For more information, please contact J.Elias-2@umcutrecht.nl
or j.vanwezenbeek@amsterdamumc.nl.

The maximum salary for this position (32 - 36 hours) is € 3.598,00 gross per month based on full-time employment.

In addition, we offer an annual benefit of 8.3%, holiday allowance, travel expenses and career opportunities. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Cao University Medical Centers (UMC).

The project will be primarily conducted at the Department of Cardiology, UMC Utrecht, a leading centre for advanced heart failure care and mechanical circulatory support. You will collaborate with the Department of Pulmonary Medicine of the Amsterdam UMC, with expertise in right heart failure. You will work in a stimulating and highly interdisciplinary research environment and will collaborate closely with clinicians and researchers involved in LVAD care and right heart failure research.

Contact our colleague:
Joelle Elias
06-46386244
j.elias-2@umcutrecht.nl