PhD: Metabolic Modulation in Mechanical Circulatory Support

This position is available in the Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at KU Leuven. Our group combines a research laboratory with a large Intensive Care Unit (67 beds, > 2600 admissions/year), providing an excellent environment for translational research in critical illness.

Project

Patients requiring Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) represent one of the most vulnerable populations in (cardiac) intensive care. Cardiogenic shock remains associated with very high short-term mortality despite increasing use of modern MCS strategies, and acute brain injury is a major contributor to poor outcome in this population. The project therefore will investigate specific metabolic interventions that may both improve cardiac function and provide brain protection in patients requiring MCS.

The PhD student will work at the interface of bedside clinical research, advanced cardiovascular and neuro monitoring and translational large-animal experimentation.

The successful candidate will be involved in clinical studies in patients supported with Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (V-A ECMO) and durable Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), as well as in translational preclinical research using a large-animal model of cardiac arrest resuscitated with V-A ECMO (Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – ECPR).

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:

• A master degree in medicine with strong interest in cardiac intensive care, mechanical circulatory support and clinical as well as translational research.
• A strong academic track record from bachelor throughout master.
• High intrinsic motivation and strong scientific curiosity.
• Motivation to work with critically ill patients and complex clinical monitoring data.
• Willingness to participate in large-animal preclinical experiments.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with proficiency in both spoken and written English. Knowledge of Dutch is considered an asset.
• The ability to work accurately, independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in echocardiography is a strong advantage. Prior exposure to intensive care, cardiology or cardiac anesthesia is considered an asset.

Offer

• We offer a full-time PhD position for 4 years, starting with  an initial appointment of 1 year. Following a positive academic evaluation, this appointment may be extended for an additional 3 years. You will also be expected and supported to apply for mandate funding from national and international funding agencies, including the Flemish Research Council (FWO).
• You will be based at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), where you will be enrolled in the Doctorate Program in Biomedical Sciences. KU Leuven is one of the most innovative and top ranked universities in Europe, situated in the beautiful city of Leuven. Leuven is located 20 min from Brussels, in the center of Europe.
• You will be working in a dynamic and stimulating multidisciplinary scientific environment in close collaboration with the clinical department and laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine.
• You will perform clinical research in patients supported with Mechanical Circulatory Support (V-A ECMO and durable LVAD). In addition, you will have the opportunity to perform translational large-animal research in a clinically relevant model of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ECPR).
• You will have the unique opportunity to acquire valuable expertise in advanced echocardiography, invasive hemodynamics, multimodal neuromonitoring and Mechanical Circulatory Support.
• You will receive a competitive salary in accordance with the KU Leuven scales for PhD students.
• You will have the opportunity to participate in national and international meetings, and to visit other research groups for scientific training or networking, if applicable.

Interested?

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

1. A complete academic CV
2. A motivation letter
3. Letters of at least two academic referees and their contacting information (phone number and E-mail address)
4. Scan of the degree qualifications with grades
5. A sample of technical writing, e.g. an abstract of a paper with you as a first author or an abstract of your master thesis (max 1 page).

All documents should be submitted in English (or Dutch)

For more information please contact Prof. Dr. Dieter Dauwe (E-mail: [email protected]). To apply, use the KU Leuven online application platform. After this written application, selected applicants will be invited for an interview.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.