Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Cardiovascular Surgery

The lab focuses on mechanistic and translational research in cardiac metabolism, with particular emphasis on how substrate utilization, mitochondrial function, and metabolic remodeling influence myocardial performance, injury, and recovery in cardiovascular disease. As a clinically oriented translational laboratory, our research philosophy uses a “bedside to bench and back again” approach.

Our work spans ischemia–reperfusion injury, advanced heart failure, cardiometabolic disease, and mechanical unloading, integrating molecular, cellular, and physiological approaches. We leverage a unique and growing resource of human myocardial tissue through the “Wake Cardiovascular and Thoracic Biobank” which includes left ventricular samples collected during cardiothoracic surgery, explanted failing hearts from LVAD recipients, and hearts from cardiac transplantation, enabling direct translation of experimental findings to human disease.

Experimental platforms include cell culture systems, genetically and surgically modified murine models, large animal models of myocardial infarction and phenotyped human cardiac tissue. The lab maintains close collaborative relationships with experts in cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, metabolomics, artificial intelligence, mitochondrial biology, and systems approaches to cardiovascular disease.

Expectations

Commonly used techniques include in vivo mouse models of cardiac injury and stress (e.g., ischemia–reperfusion, metabolic perturbation, pressure overload, and heart failure), echocardiography, exercise and functional testing, mitochondrial functional assays, substrate utilization and metabolic flux analyses, targeted and untargeted metabolomics, microscopy (fluorescence, confocal, and electron), IVIS imaging, PCR, qRT-PCR, western blotting, RNA sequencing, histology, and collecting/processing and analysis of human myocardial tissue obtained from the operating room, LVAD explants, and heart transplants.

Flexibility and a strong willingness to learn new experimental and analytical techniques are essential. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a high degree of motivation and scientific independence, with strong organizational skills and attention to rigor and reproducibility. Expectations include timely presentation of data, effective communication with multidisciplinary collaborators, preparation of abstracts and manuscripts, presentations at scientific meetings, and meaningful participation in grant and fellowship development.

The lab regularly hosts undergraduate, graduate, and medical trainees; therefore, enthusiasm for mentorship, teaching, and collaborative team science is highly valued.

Opportunities

For candidates interested in translational cardiovascular research in metabolism, there are opportunities to observe and collect samples in the operating room during mechanical circulatory support procedures (LVAD) and heart transplant surgery. The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Division of Cardiology, Molecular Medicine and affiliated cardiovascular research programs provide regular conferences, research seminars, and multidisciplinary forums.

We offer a supportive and well-resourced environment for early-career investigators and are deeply committed to assisting postdoctoral fellows in achieving their long-term academic, translational, or industry career goals, including transition-to-independence awards.

Culture

We foster a highly collaborative, collegial, and productive laboratory culture, emphasizing scientific rigor, professional development, intellectual curiosity, and mutual support. Our environment values open communication, mentorship, and the pursuit of impactful cardiovascular science.

Please send applications including personal statement, CV, and references to [email hidden — sign in].

Our Commitment to You

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
• Benefits and more
• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs

Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.