Staff Scientist / Veterinarian (‘small animal surgeon’) (m/f/d)

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Western Countries and represent one of the major medical challenges of our time. The prevalence of acute and chronic heart failure with reduced as well as preserved ejection fraction is dramatically increasing worldwide. The Institute for Experimental Cardiology studies the molecular basis of different forms of cardiac diseases in a variety of animal models, and is a central Institute in the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated staff scientist, who will be responsible for the hands-on performance and supervision of small animal surgery procedures and phenotyping (mainly in mice).

The Institute has a long lasting experience in preclinical models of cardiovascular diseases. We have applied various genetic, pharmacological and surgical small animal models to identify and study key signaling pathways that are causative for heart diseases (see 1-5). Our small animal core is and will be further equipped with all modern state-of-the-art technologies for comprehensive cardiovascular preclinical in vivo research (e.g. mouse microsurgery platforms, VisualSonics Vevo Echocardiography, DSI PhysioTel Telemetry, MR Solutions PET / MRI is planned). You will further develop and standardize the established procedures, you will combine these procedures with complex pharmacological, dietary and genetic models and you will supervise a small animal core consisting of trained technicians and early career investigators.

Selected publications for your orientation:

1. Jebessa, Z. H. et al. The lipid droplet-associated protein ABHD5 protects the heart through proteolysis of HDAC4. Nature metabolism 1, 1157-1167, doi:10.1038/s42255-019-0138-4 (2019).
2. Lehmann, L. H. et al. A proteolytic fragment of histone deacetylase 4 protects the heart from failure by regulating the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. Nature medicine 24, 62-72, doi:10.1038/nm.4452 (2018).
3. Kronlage, M. et al. O-GlcNAcylation of Histone Deacetylase 4 Protects the Diabetic Heart From Failure. Circulation 140, 580-594, doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.031942 (2019).
4. Weinreuter, M. et al. CaM Kinase II mediates maladaptive post-infarct remodeling and pro-inflammatory chemoattractant signaling but not acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. EMBO molecular medicine 6, 1231-1245, doi:10.15252/emmm.201403848 (2014). 5. Kreusser, M. M. et al. Cardiac CaM Kinase II genes delta and gamma contribute to adverse remodeling but redundantly inhibit calcineurin-induced myocardial hypertrophy. Circulation 130, 1262-1273, doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.006185 (2014).
5. Kreusser, M. M. et al. Cardiac CaM Kinase II genes delta and gamma contribute to adverse remodeling but redundantly inhibit calcineurin-induced myocardial hypertrophy. Circulation 130, 1262-1273, doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.006185 (2014).

Your tasks

• Performance, optimization, development, implementation and standardization of cardiac small animal procedures / surgeries with high quality standards
• Cardiac small animal phenotyping including invasive / hemodynamic measurements and imaging with high quality standards
• Supervision and training of specialized personnel
• Planning of preclinical / translational in vivo studies
• Implementation/inspection of animal welfare policies guided by 3R principle
• Management of a standardized documentation database
• Communication with authorities and academic / industrial collaborators

Prerequisites

• You hold a University Degree (or equivalent) in veterinarian medicine or in a related biomedical discipline
• You are experienced in cardiac small animal surgery and phenotypic characterization including invasive / hemodynamic measurements and imaging techniques
• You have a documented track record in performing small animal procedures
• You value animal welfare, are familiar with the 3R principles and act accordingly
• You work reliably, independently, proactively and you are a team player
• You have a high level of commitment, flexibility and strong sense of responsibility
• You must be fluent in English and preferably in German (not a prerequisite but of advantage) to communicate orally and in written professionally with animal welfare officers in the German system
• You provide a letter of motivation

We offer

• To be part of an internationally leading cardiac research institute
• To be an integral and indispensable part of translational strategies
• To work independently and team-oriented in a friendly and ambitious atmosphere
• To promote your personal and professional development in a future-oriented research area
• A salary according to the German TV-L system (the salary agreement for public service employees)

The University Hospital Heidelberg offers:
Individual, target-oriented advanced training Ticket for public transport Nursey and kindergarten as well as holiday organization for scholchildren Health promotion University sports Library

www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/Karriere