Project title: Discovery of novel candidate mechanisms that cause atrial arrhythmias using IPS-derived
atrial cardiomyocytes and engineered heart tissue. Are you the postdoctoral researcher who will be part
of the Dutch Heart Foundation's effort to find a new therapy for atrial arrhythmias?

Job Description
Atrial arrhythmias are the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia and are expected to become even more common in the future. Unfortunately, atrial arrhythmias are often not recognized in a timely manner, resulting in severely diseased atria. This makes effective treatment increasingly difficult, both for atrial arrhythmiasitself and for underlying risk factors and heart diseases. The future challenge is to detect atrial arrhythmias at an early stage to prevent progression towards diseased atria. To achieve this, novel mechanistic insights are crucial.
The postdoctoral researcher will take the lead in a research project that is part of a Dutch national consortium called EMBRACE, funded by the Dutch Heart Foundation. The EMBRACE network aims to elucidate the diversity of mechanisms underlying arrhythmogenic atrial diseases, to develop simple diagnostic tools to identify them, and to develop a therapeutic approach to prevent the pathological progression of atrial diseases and thus the occurrence of arrhythmias. The research project will involve using stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and engineered tissue to establish a genotype-phenotype relationship between newly discovered genes associated with atrial arrhythmias and the progression of atrial disease.

Responsibilities/tasks of the postdoctoral researcher:

• Human stem cell culture;
• Differentiation of stem cells to cardiomyocytes with and atrial phenotype;
• Preparing 3D engineered heart tissues;
• Analysing mechanical behaviour (stiffness, contractile function);
• Analysing electrophysiological behaviour (conduction, arrhythmias);
• Teaching (<10%).

Requirements
Educational Background:

• A Ph.D. in a relevant field such as cardiovascular biology, physiology, bioengineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of cardiac physiology, electrophysiology, and arrhythmias.

Research Experience:

• Prior experience in stem cell biology and tissue engineering, particularly in the context of cardiovascular research.
• Familiarity with techniques for generating and culturing cardiomyocytes derived from stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or embryonic stem cells (ESCs).
• Experience working with cardiac tissue models, such as engineered heart tissues (EHTs) or organoids, for studying cardiac function and arrhythmias.

Electrophysiology Skills:

• Proficiency in electrophysiological techniques, including patch-clamp recordings, calcium imaging, and multi-electrode array (MEA) recordings, to characterize the electrophysiological properties of cardiomyocytes and tissues.
• Ability to analyze electrophysiological data and interpret findings related to atrial arrhythmias.

Other Skills:

• High level of self-motivation and critical thinking.
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative research environment.
• Enjoy doing science.

What we offer
As Postdoc EMBRACE at Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3345,00 and €5278,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total.

In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+). FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+).

FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch and English-taught bachelor's and master's programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.

The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in our six graduate schools and two institutes.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Professor Dr. Uli Schotten (schotten@maastrichtuniversity.nl) or Dr. B.J. Boukens (b.boukens@maastrichtuniversity.nl)
for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoc EMBRACE? Apply now, no later than 31 August 2024, for this position.

The first interviews will take place by mutual agreement.

The second interviews will take place if applicable.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.