Clinical Research Fellow in Acute Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Type of Contract: Project-limited for three years from 4 August 2027

We seek to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated clinical research fellow with strong interest in pursuing an academic path in cardiovascular medicine. The successful candidate will join the dynamic Cardiology research group within the Faculty of Medicine, headed by Professor Dana Dawson.

This is a 3-year post (start date August 2027), funded through a British Heart Foundation Program Grant to explore the unique mechanistic patho-physiology of the strongest psycho-somatic interaction known in medicine. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (or ‘broken heart syndrome’) is an acute cardiac emergency which predominantly affects women (90%) and is triggered by a precipitant episode of stress. Despite non-obstructed coronary arteries there is severe heart dysfunction, and although the pump function ‘normalises’ shortly afterwards, these patients have reduced long-term survival. This programme of research will combine state-of-the-art translational and clinical research methodology to investigate candidate pathophysiological mechanisms in takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

The appointee will be part of a translational team and work closely with immunology, thrombosis/fibrinolysis, bioinformatics and clinical colleagues. It is hoped that together, the group will provide the leap of science required to understand the full pathway in which this newly described disease triggers and unfolds.

The Clinical Research Fellow will be responsible for early identification of patients with acute takotsubo cardiomyopathy and acute myocardial infarction, and for this purpose foster close links with the acute cardiology wards and the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. The appointee will ensure early consent (or ascent) of potential study participants and be responsible for coordination, organisation and completion of both invasive and non-invasive study investigations. They will plan and execute all clinical research investigations, such as collection of blood and preparation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, set-up of invasive coronary physiology and endomyocardial biopsy studies with the relevant specialist consultants, set-up of advanced cardiac magnetic resonance, field cycling magnetic resonance imaging, and specific molecular tracer-enabled positron emission tomography with specialist consultants and medical physicists in Aberdeen and Edinburgh . The appointee will be encouraged to learn translational experimentation and work in collaboration with post-doctoral immunology and thrombosis scientist fellows, to develop their laboratory skills if they demonstrate talent and aptitude in this direction. Training will be provided for all aspects of the work. You will be encouraged to attend relevant training courses.

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Clinical scale for Academics below level of Consultant, £52,229 - £68,184 per annum, and negotiable with placement according to qualifications and experience.

Informal enquiries should be made to Professor Dana Dawson (dana.dawson@abdn.ac.uk).

Prior to employment, the successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.  This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route under the UKVI immigration rules but is dependent on factors specific to the candidate and if tradeable points can be used under the rules.

Information on other visa options is available at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

Please do not hesitate to contact Grant Rae, HR Adviser (e-mail: grant.rae@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.

To apply online for this position click the 'Apply' button above.

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 10 December 2026

Advert information