Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at University of Cambridge

Applications are invited to join a dynamic team led by Prof Sanjay Sinha (https://www.sinha-lab.org/ and https://www.stemcells.cam.ac.uk/people/pi/sinha), to investigate mechanical sensing and mechanical memory in cardiac muscle cells and its involvement in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of mortality worldwide, yet there is still a lack of effective treatments. Recent research increasingly emphasised that changes to mechanical sensing and signalling critically influences the disease onset and progression1-2. Additionally, our recent data indicated that mechanical information is stored at attachment sites between cardiac muscle cells and their extracellular environment3-4. This mechanical memory influences the cellular behaviour and will need to be targeted to effectively treat heart disease. The position will be based at the Sinha lab within the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute at the University of Cambridge, and is part of a recently funded British Heart Foundation Special Project Grant in collaboration with  Dr Thomas Iskratsch at Queen Mary University of London and Prof Ben Goult at the University of Kent. Within this consortium one PDRA will be embedded in each group and work together towards the collaborative goal to decipher mechanical memory as driver for cardiac disease progression across the scales from single molecule5 to tissue level6.

The Sinha lab focuses on using pluripotent stem cell-based systems to generate cardiovascular cells including 3D engineered heart tissues6. These will be used to understand the role of mechanical signals and memory in the cardiovascular system at tissue scale, whereas the groups in UKent and QMUL harness their expertise to investigate the processes at single molecule and single cell scale, respectively. To reach the collaborative goals, the teams will be in regular contacts for coordination, exchange of data and resources.

– Iskratsch et al., Nat Rev Cell Mol Biol (2013)

– Pandey et al, Dev Cell (2018)

– Marhuenda et al, BioRxiv (2023)

– Goult et al, JCS (2021)

–  Gallego-Paez, JCB (2023)

– Bargehr, Nat Biotech (2019) 

About You

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, collaborative and have expertise in pluripotent stem cell biology and cardiac biology. Prior experience in mechanobiology and tissue engineering is highly desirable

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 36 months in the first instance. 

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the apply button above.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 6th November 2023

The interview date for the role is: To be confirmed

Please quote reference PS38813 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.