Postdoctoral Research Assistant

About the Role

Applications are invited for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant 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, signalling and memory, critically influences the disease onset and progression1. The Iskratsch Group, at the School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London is exploiting cutting-edge mechanobiological, as well as imaging approaches2-5 with the aim to investigate the role of mechanical sensing and memory in cardiovascular disease. The postholder of this British Heart Foundation funded project will especially investigate cardiomyocyte mechanosensing and mechanical memory through integrin adhesions and the talin adhesome2-5. This will involve the culture of cardiomyocytes on bioengineered surfaces3 and analysis through quantitative microscopy techniques. The postholder will further collaborate with project partners to establish a framework of mechanosensation and mechanical memory at different length scales, from single molecules (Prof Goult, Liverpool) to the tissue scale (Prof Sinha, Cambridge). To reach the collaborative goals, the teams will be in regular contacts for coordination, exchange of data and resources.

1. Iskratsch et al., Nat Rev Cell Mol Biol (2013)
2. Hawkes, Phil Trans R Soc B (2022)
3. Marhuenda et al, BioRxiv (2023)
4. Swiatlowska et al, Sci Adv (2022)
5. Swiatlowska et al, Adv Sci (2024)

 About You

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, collaborative and have expertise in bioengineering, cell and/or cardiovascular biology. Prior experience in bio- and/or nanofabrication as well as stem cell culture and differentiation is highly desirable. 

About the School

This post is within the School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS) at Queen Mary University of London, where the successful candidate will have access to a large range of equipment including state-of-the art microscopes, bio- and nanofabrication equipment, mechanical and structural characterisation and equipment for mechanical stimulation.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

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