T32 Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. VCU School of Medicine comprises 18 clinical departments, eight basic health science departments, and 11 affiliated institutes and centers, and provides preeminent education to physicians and scientists in order to improve the quality of healthcare for humanity. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off,12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/

Position Responsibilities:

The Pauley Heart Center is seeking candidates for a postdoctoral training program in cardiovascular disease research. This 3 year individually-tailored training program offers a stipend and tuition reimbursement for a VCU Masters in Clinical Health Science program, or other VCU master’s degree program. Master’s program is optional. In addition, travel funds to present at a scientific conference as well as funds for health insurance expenses.
Research opportunities may include laboratory-based, translational and clinical projects, may involve animal or human subjects and relate to cardiovascular disease. Some areas of interest include (but are not limited to):
o Development of data science approaches to understanding and predicting risks of cardiovascular diseases
o Cardiotoxicity related to cancer therapy
o Role of inflammation in acute myocardial infarction and heart failure
o Cardiovascular pathophysiology in the context of metabolic disease
o Mechanisms of myocardial protection in ischemia/reperfusion injury
o Mitochondrial biology as it relates to heart injury and the aged heart
o Nanoengineering novel platforms for therapeutic delivery of miRNA in cardiopulmonary disease
o Molecular and cellular mechanisms of electrical remodeling in diseased hearts
o Development of computational models to study electrical signaling in cardiac electrophysiology
o Preventive cardiology
o Social and behavioral determinants of cardiovascular events
o The impact of obesity in cardiovascular disease

Required Qualifications:

Candidate must have a PhD, MD/PhD or equivalent degree by the start of the fellowship and should exhibit a commitment to a career in cardiovascular science. In addition, candidate should have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a postdoc at VCU. In compliance with the T32 Grant, the candidate to be trained must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment.

Job Specific Physical and Cognitive Requirements:

Light lifting (less than 20 lb), moderate lifting (20-50 lb), fast pace, multiple stimulation, intense customer interaction, frequent change, memory, reasoning, hearing, reading, analyzing, logic, standing, bending, and verbal and written communication.

Required Documents
Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Resume
Three (3) Reference Letters

Other Related Information

Position will remain open until filled.

This is a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

A finger print background check is required.

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.