Postdoctoral opening in cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms is immediately available in the Poelzing lab. We are looking for highly motivated candidates with expertise in electrophysiology and whole-heart Langendorff perfusion. The project involves testing a novel hypothesis that structural integrity alone is sufficient to protect against arrhythmogenic conduction slowing in diseases associated with monogenic mutations in proteins expressed in the intercalated disc: gap junctions, sodium channels, desmosomes, and adherens junctions. Work will include optically mapping genetically engineered monogenic mutant mouse hearts, transmission and super-resolution microscopy. Novel peptide interventions targeting parts of the intercalated disc different from the areas of mutation will be perfused to test whether they can conceal or unmask an arrhythmogenic conduction phenotype.

The environment of the Poelzing group is highly interdisciplinary and provides ample opportunities for scientific growth. The group has significant experience transitioning lab members to academic and industrial positions. Interested candidates should send their resume, statement of research goals, and at least three names for recommendation letters to Dr. Steven Poelzing (poelzing@vtc.vt.edu).