PhD on Polygenic architecture to explain cardiac adaptation and exercise capacity in elite endurance athletes.

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Deadline: 30 Jun 2022

(ref. BAP-2022-289)

Laatst aangepast : 19/05/2022

The Sports Cardiology research unit in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences of KU Leuven is looking for a full-time (100%) PhD candidate in the field of cardiovascular disease. Our Sports Cardiology lab focusses on identifying the mechanisms underpinning exercise-induced cardiac remodeling and its clinical consequences. Our approach is multiscale, spanning from advanced cardiovascular imaging techniques and novel rhythm monitoring strategies to complex genetics and polygenic risk scores. The University: KU Leuven offers a stimulating environment for international students and support for junior scientists to achieve their ambitions and in career development. Our lab will support you in gaining expertise in necessary areas and through our excellent local and international collaborators and core facilities, you will have access to additional expertise and tools. Our lab is embedded in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences situated in the Biomedical Campus of KU Leuven, Belgium. Our lab has a longstanding history of collaboration with the Sports Cardiology of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (Melbourne) led by prof. Andre La Gerche. During your PhD track you will be given the opportunity to spend 1 year abroad in the Sports Cardiology lab in Melbourne.


Project

You will conduct translational research on the effect of (long-term) physical exercise on cardiac structure and function in humans. More specifically, you will support the analysis of 2 prospective clinical trials (Pro@Heart, clinical trial registration number NCT05164328, and Master@Heart, FWO-TBM project T003717N) that investigate the effects of long-term endurance exercise on (1) atrial and ventricular remodeling (including fibrosis), (2) coronary vasculature and (3) atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. The Pro@Heart study (www.proatheart.be) aims to identify the impact of training load and genotype on the variance of exercise-induced cardiac remodeling in elite endurance athletes and (2) determine how exercise-induced cardiac remodeling and its determinants are associated with physical performance, health benefits and cardiac pathology. The Master@Heart study investigates the effect of life-long endurance exercise relative to late-onset endurance exercise and a healthy lifestyle without long-term endurance sports participation.

This project provides an unique opportunity to perform multi-disciplinary research at two world leading universities (KU Leuven and Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Melbourne). 


Profile
  • You hold a Master degree in Medicine, or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
  • You are motivated, have an enquiring mind and are excited by science.
  • You enjoy collaborating with your colleagues and externally to scientific advance.
  • You are a team player with excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
  • You enjoy presenting your data to collaborators and to the community at scientific meetings.
  • You can demonstrate excellent study results.
  • Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
  • You perform your research to the highest standards and integrity. 
  • You will work actively on the preparation of a PhD thesis in the research group of Cardiovascular Diseases.
  • You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
  • You are willing to apply for an FWO doctoral fellowship to obtain external funding.

Offer
  • A fully funded Joint PhD-studentship.
  • We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period.
  • The planned start date is October 1st 2022 or November 1st 2022.
  • Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
  • A stimulating and supportive environment in which you acquire expertise as a multidisciplinary researcher.
  • Opportunity to spend 1y of your PhD in a lab in Melbourne.

Interested?

Please send your CV, motivation letter and 2 recommendation letters to:Prof. Dr. Guido Claessen, Email: ([email protected]) and Prof Dr. Rik Willems. E-mail: [email protected].


KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].



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