The University Hospital Heidelberg is one of the major healthcare centers in Germany. Our objective is the development of innovative diagnostics and therapies as well as their quick implementation for the patient. With about 10,700 employees in more than 50 specialized clinical departments with almost 2,000 beds, about 80,000 patients in part-time and full-time inpatient treatment as well as 1,000,000 patients in ambulant treatment are medicated each year.
Research Scientist (m/f/d)
full-time – JobID: P0035V237
at the earliest possible date searched for the Institute of Experimental Cardiology (Internal Medicine 8).
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in western countries and represent one of the major medical challenges of our time. The prevalence of acute and chronic heart failure with reduced as well as preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFpEF) is currently increasing dramatically worldwide. The Institute for Experimental Cardiology is dedicated to investigate the molecular basis of various forms of cardiac diseases and is a central institute in the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). Our institute is seeking for a highly motivated research scientist at the next possible time point. You will be responsible for the development, implementation and refinement of preclinical small animal models in including surgical techniques. As the coordinator of our resident small animal core you will provide your outstanding technical and scientific expertise to supervise and coordinate a team of well-trained specialized technicians.
Our institute has a long lasting experience in preclinical models of cardiovascular diseases. We have applied various genetic, pharmacological and surgical small animal models to identify and study key signaling pathways that are causative for heart diseases (see 1-5). Our small animal core is and will be equipped with all modern state-of-the-art technologies for comprehensive cardiovascular preclinical in vivo research (e.g. mouse microsurgery platforms, VisualSonics Vevo Echocardiography, DSI PhysioTel Telemetry, MR Solutions PET/MRI is planned).
Important publications of our research work you can find here:
1. Jebessa, Z. H. et al. The lipid droplet-associated protein ABHD5 protects the heart through proteolysis of HDAC4. Nature metabolism 1, 1157-1167, doi:10.1038/s42255-019-0138-4 (2019).
2. Lehmann, L. H. et al. A proteolytic fragment of histone deacetylase 4 protects the heart from failure by regulating the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. Nature medicine 24, 62-72, doi:10.1038/nm.4452 (2018).
3. Kronlage, M. et al. O-GlcNAcylation of Histone Deacetylase 4 Protects the Diabetic Heart From Failure. Circulation 140, 580-594, doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.031942 (2019).
4. Weinreuter, M. et al. CaM Kinase II mediates maladaptive post-infarct remodeling and pro-inflammatory chemoattractant signaling but not acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. EMBO molecular medicine 6, 1231-1245, doi:10.15252/emmm.201403848 (2014).
5. Kreusser, M. M. et al. Cardiac CaM Kinase II genes delta and gamma contribute to adverse remodeling but redundantly inhibit calcineurin-induced myocardial hypertrophy. Circulation 130, 1262-1273, doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.006185 (2014).
Your tasks
- Performance, development, optimization and implementation of innovative small animal surgery and phenotyping methods with high quality standards
- Scientific coordination of our in-house small animal core
- Supervision and training of specialized technicians
- Planning and organization of preclinical in vivo studies with postdocs and students
- Management of a standardized documentation database
- Communication and coordination of joint studies with collaboration partners from academia and industry
Prerequisites
- You hold an University Degree (or equivalent) in veterinary science or in a relevant, subject area, such as biology or medical sciences
- You have small animal surgical skills (in particular cardiac surgery) and experience and deep knowledge in working with small animal models and phenotypic cardiac characterization
- You have a strong background in animal welfare and laboratory animal science
- You have experience in coordinating scientific research projects and regulatory affairs related to small animal models (mainly mouse models)
- You have an independent and reliable way of working, outstanding communication skills and team spirit
- You have a high level of commitment, flexibility and strong sense of responsibility
- You have excellent written and spoken English skills, which are essential in our international research environment
We offer
- You will enter an internationally leading working group in cardiac research, pursuing the ambitious goal of developing novel effective cardiac treatment options
- Your work will be an integral and indispensable part of our translational strategies
- You will have the opportunity for independent and team-oriented work in a fruitful atmosphere
- We will promote your personal and professional development and your qualifications in a clinically highly relevant and future-oriented area
- The salary is paid according to the German TV-L system (the salary agreement for public service employees)
Contact & Application
We are looking forward to receive your application with the usual documents by email or post to the secretariat of Professor Johannes Backs (attentively from Ms. Silvia Harrack).
Heidelberg University Hospital
Institute of Experimental Cardiology (Internal Medicine 8)
Director Prof. Johannes Backs (attn. to Silvia Harrack)
Im Neuenheimer Feld 669
D-69120 Heidelberg
sekretariat.backs@med.uni-heidelberg.de
The University Hospital Heidelberg offers:

individual, target-oriented advanced training

ticket for public transport

nursey and kindergarten as well as holiday organization for schoolchildren

health promotion

university sports / library
www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/Karriere
We stand for equal opportunities. People with disabilities are given priority with the same suitability. The university hospital aims at a general increase in the proportion of women in all areas and positions where women are underrepresented. Qualified women are therefore particularly encouraged to apply.