In-depth functional characterization of arrhythmogenic vulnerability in the infarct border-zone
(ref. BAP-2025-390)
Laatst aangepast: 25/06/25
At the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, you will work under the combined supervision of profs. P Claus (Lab of Cardiovascular Imaging and Modeling) and E Dries (Lab of Experimental Cardiology) in close collaboration with the clinical electrophysiology department of the university hospitals UZ Leuven (profs. B Vandenberk and R Willems). During the course of the project other (international) collaborators will be involved.
Project

THE PHD PROJECT

As a PhD student, you will be involved in managing the large animal model, with associated phenotyping with multi-modal medical imaging, including PET imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography, combined with electrophysiology mapping. In vivo studies will identify localized arrhythmogenic regions, which will be sampled for ex vivo investigations using myocardial tissue slices. You will get support from our lab technician and a post-doc involved in technical developments. Additionally, you will use and further refine the living myocardial slice technique to include a mechanical stretch testing setup.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated young researcher with a Master degree (or equivalent) in Biomedical or Life Sciences, Bioscience Engineering, Medicine, Biology or related disciplines, willing to study and do research at the leading edge of biomedical engineering.
Candidates have excellent teamwork and communication skills and are enthusiastic about collaborating with a diverse range of international partners. We expect them to be fluent in English as this will be the language used to interrelate with the different partners. Candidates should be able to work independently as well as in a team and have a problem-solving attitude.
On the basis of this project, a training plan will be set up by selecting the best training opportunities in the PhD programme of KU Leuven and available initiatives within our collaborators. Further physiology training will be organized depending on the needs and background of the researcher and the project and you are expected to join and lead discussion groups. The candidate is expected to write a doctoral thesis within 4 years.
Our research group wants to focus on translational research, working closely together with the academic clinical center. Therefore, our group provides methodologies and offers support for clinical and basic researchers to help to define the research approach from the basic understanding of the disease towards the clinical study; to select/design the appropriate investigational tools to assess the relevant physiological parameters; and to interpret the results and relate them to the pathophysiological knowledge.
Offer
We offer a 4 year PhD scholarship to work on an international an interdisciplanary environment, to allow you to work at the forefront of science. This is embedded in a doctoral school that will enable you to enlarge your personal skills.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Piet Claus, tel.: +32 16 34 90 17, mail: piet.claus@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Eef Dries, tel.: +32 16 37 94 54, mail: eef.dries@kuleuven.be.
You can apply for this job no later than July 20, 2025 via the online application tool
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.
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Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds
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Locatie: Leuven
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