Research Fellow

A Postdoctoral Position is available in the Cardiology Division and the Cardiovascular Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in the laboratory of Dr. Wolfram Poller. A highly motivated candidate is sought for a research fellowship that will examine the interaction of the brain and heart during a myocardial infarction (MI). We will assess how an MI changes brain activity using state-of-the-art technologies of neurorecording such as fiber photometry and iDISCO cFos Clear Map. We will apply an established set of gain and loss-of-function interventions, including chemogenetics, optogenetics, viral tracing, brain-region specific knockout mice, and cell-type specific stress hormone receptor knockout mice to investigate how different brain regions contribute to post MI inflammation and infarct healing. Based on our findings, we will specifically block detrimental and enhance beneficial aspects of the neuro-immune signaling, both in the input branch as well as the output branch to therapeutically tailor the brain-immune crosstalk to improve MI healing and outcome. Working at the crossroads of neuroscience, immunology, and cardiology, our lab aims at understanding how different brain regions control and are controlled by the immune and cardiovascular systems. We strive to translate mouse findings into specific brain center manipulations in humans using virtual reality (VR) applications and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to shape the course of CVD. Dr. Poller is an interventional cardiologist in the MGH cardiac catheterization laboratory offering direct access to large cohorts of CVD patients and the potential for streamlined clinical translation of basic science projects. We welcome applications from creative and independent individuals interested in pursuing multidisciplinary approaches to understand how our brain controls our immune system and cardiovascular health. The Poller lab is located in the Richard B. Simches Research Center at the MGH main campus in downtown Boston. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Research experience in cardiovascular immunology, vascular biology, cardiac physiology, and/or neuroscience Significant wet lab experience, including flow cytometry, cell and molecular biology techniques, histology and IHC, as well as mouse colony management and in vivo mouse work Experience or willingness to quickly learn advanced surgical techniques such as LAD ligation, stereotactic surgery, chemo- and optogenetics Excellent organizational skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills EDUCATION: PhD, MD, MD/PhD or equivalent SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: May oversee research Assistants, Technicians and Students. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work will be performed in the Simches Research Building on the Massachusetts General Hospital main campus, in Boston, MA.