Translational research in pulmonary vascular disease

Job summary

1. A postdoctoral position is available in Professor Barberà’s laboratory. The position involves working wit a team of scientists studying the mechanisms involved in the development of pulmonary hypertension, particularly in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and their potential therapeutic interventions.

The programme is a continuation of work published in Cardiovascular Research (2007;76:517) and Respiratory Research (2009;10:76), which has provided information on the potential involvement of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells in pulmonary vascular remodelling.

Briefly, our group investigates the mechanisms by which cigarette smoke exposure and hypoxia alter pulmonary endothelial cells and triggers pulmonary vascular remodelling that results in pulmonary hypertension. Previous investigations from our group indicate that bone marrow-derived progenitor vascular cells might play a crucial role in this process depending upon their differentiation either on endothelial or smooth muscle cells.

The purpose of this programme of work will be to investigate the mechanisms of pulmonary vascular remodelling, in particular factors that might contribute to determine the fate of differentiation of vascular progenitor cells and their potential therapeutic modulation.

2. The project is likely to involve some or all of the following techniques:

• Cell differentiation
• Epigenetic studies
• Assessment of endothelial cell function in vivo and in vitro
• Animal studies

Main Duties

To conduct research investigating mechanisms of pulmonary vascular remodelling in respiratory disease

Duties and Responsabilities

• To contribute to the design and planning of experiments in relation to this project
• To develop a thorough understanding of the research field and be involved in the intellectual decision making process required for successful completion of the project
• To set up and run experiments in consultation with the Principal Investigator
• To record, analyse and write up the results of experiments and ensure that laboratory notebooks are kept fully up to date as a formal record of the research
• To prepare and present findings of research to the Principal Investigator and other members of the centre
• To prepare progress reports on research
• The post holder may be required to perform some limited teaching and/or supervision of other members of staff and/or students, under the guidance of the Principal Investigator
• Responsible for ensuring that designated equipment is safe and maintained in good working order
• As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder
• The post holder will carry out any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, as requested by the Principal Investigator

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

• Undergraduate degree in a life science discipline
• PhD in an appropiate life science discipline

Desirable:

• Basic knowledge of respiratory or cardio-vascular medicine
• Publications in high impact factor peer reviewed journals

Skills

Essential:

• Abilitity to develop ideas logically and design experiments to test hypotheses
• Ability to modify and apply new methods to advance a project
• Ability to analyse and write up data for presentations and publications
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Record of delivering high quality research

Desirable:

• Research skills in molecular biology, cell biology or animal studies.
• Expertise in cell differentitation.
• Ability to direct junior members of the laboratory in simple laboratory procedures

Experience

Essential:

Experience of working in a research environment

Desirable:

Experience of multi-disciplinary working

Personal Qualities

Essential:

• Comitment to high quality research
• Ability to work effectively as part of the team
• Ability to work independently and to use own initiative when required

(Read eligibility criteria)