La Caixa INPhINIT INCOMING Doctoral Fellowship Programme: CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL MECHANISMS INVOLVED IN RENAL INJURY

IMIBIC HOSTING OFFER:

La Caixa INPhINIT INCOMING Doctoral Fellowship Programme

GROUP LEADER

Dr. Juan Antonio Moreno Gutiérrez (juan.moreno@imibic.org)

RESEARCH PROJECT/RESEARCH GROUP

Pathophysiology of renal and vascular damage: www.imibic.org/grupo/53

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Renal and cardiovascular diseases constitute a major health problem, promoting higher mortality and morbidity. Our group is unraveling novel pathogenic mechanisms involved in the development of these diseases. Our primary goal is to understand the basis for alterations in renal and vascular wall to identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers associated with progression of disease. This is very important to improve the actual treatments and to identify patients at risk.

We have recently discovered new cellular targets for the adverse effects of hemoglobin in the kidney, resulting in decreased glomerular permeability. This fact may explain the loss of renal function observed in patients with massive intravascular hemolytic or macrohematuria. To further confirm this observation, we aim: (1) to analyze the prognostic value of different podocyte injury markers in hemolytic patients, (2) to characterize the pathological processes associated to hemoglobin uptake in these cells and (3) to validate new therapeutic approaches to decrease renal injury in these pathological setting.

The team “Pathophysiology of renal and vascular damage” is a research group at the Maimonides Biomedical Research institute of Cordoba - IMIBIC (Cordoba, Spain). IMIBIC is a modern Biomedical Research Institute that holds the Excellence distinction from the Spanish Institute of Health (ISCIII). In our group, we offer an inspiring research environment, including top-research facilities, and enthusiastic clinic and basic scientists of different disciplines (Immunology, Pathology, Pharmacology Nephrology and Biology).

Job position description:

The PhD position will be developed in the group “Pathophysiology of renal and vascular damage” at the Maimonides Biomedical Research institute of Cordoba - IMIBIC (Cordoba, Spain).

The main objective of the project is to analyze the prognostic value of different markers of podocyte damage in renal biopsies and urine samples of patients with chronic and massive hemolytic diseases and glomerulonephritis. In addition, we will identify new adverse effects of hemoglobin on podocytes by studying inflammatory response, oxidation and fibrosis. For this, we will develop experimental models of hemoglobinuria and hematuria in different mice strains and we will use specific inhibitors in vivo and cultured podocytes. The study of specific intracellular pathways could identify new therapeutic targets and characterize new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. 

The researcher will acquire knowledge on different lab and scientific skills. Specifically, the applicant will be instructed in a wide variety of cellular and molecular tools (flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, activity assays, gene/protein expression analysis, etc) in suitable preclinical models, cultured cells, and human samples. Our team is fully equipped for molecular and cellular research studies. Moreover, our group has also full access to the core facilities of IMIBIC, with modern animal services and technical platforms (Microscopy and Cytometry, Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics). Our center offers an ideal place to develop excellent biomedical research and an integrative PhD formation plan since IMIBIC is associated to Cordoba University, allowing acquisition of PhD in different Doctoral Programs (Biomedicine and Biotechnology). The formation plan of the student will also include lab-meetings, seminars and assistance to national and international congresses. This formative career will be reinforced by short-term visits in national and international centers where we have active common projects.

Eligibility Criteria

1) At the call deadline (4^th Feb 2020), applicants must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree.

2) At the time of recruitment, candidates must comply with one of the following options:

• To have completed the studies that lead to an official university degree adapted to the European Higher Education Area awarding 300 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits must correspond to master level.
• To have completed a degree in university not adapted to the European Higher Education Area that gives access to doctoral studies. The verification of an equivalent level of studies to the ones mentioned above will be made by the university when the admission procedure starts.

3) Candidates must not have resided or have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the call deadline (4^th Feb 2020). Short stays, such as holidays, done in a country other than their country of usual residence (where they carried out their main activity), will be considered as time spent in their country of usual residence.

4) Candidates must have a demonstrable level of English (B2 or higher).

5) Only candidates whose applications meet all the requirements of the call may be accepted.

You can find this offer via the Offer Finder, available at https://hosts.lacaixafellowships.org/finder

Select “IMIBIC – Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba” from the dropdown list under “RESEARCH CENTRE”

You can also search the position by its title " CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL MECHANISMS INVOLVED IN RENAL INJURY " under "SEARCH BY PROJECT TITLE / JOB POSITION TITLE".

How to Apply:

If you want to apply for an INPhINIT fellowship, click on the link below to create your personal account and fill in the on-line application form: https://www.lacaixafellowships.org/index.aspx

Schedule:

4 February 2020: Deadline for submitting applications.

18 February 2020: Deadline for submitting the language certificate.

16 April 2020: Notification of the shortlist results.

27 and 28 May 2020: Face-to-face interviews in Barcelona.

2 June 2020: Publication of the final list of selected candidates.

From 2 to 30 June 2020: Matching research centre – fellow.

More Information:

2020 Call for applications:

https://obrasociallacaixa.org/documents/10280/590054/inphinit_incoming_2020_en.pdf/3cfabdbb-9986-df86-f58f-d5289f19672a?t=1572967982849

Web:

https://obrasociallacaixa.org/en/investigacion-y-becas/becas-de-la-caixa/doctorado-inphinit/incoming

Email:

international@imibic.org

ABOUT IMIBIC

IMIBIC, located in Cordoba, southern Spain, is a partnership between the University of Cordoba (UCO) and the Reina Sofia University Hospital. IMIBIC offers a multidisciplinary environment focused on results-oriented research and based on precision medicine and excellence in science. IMIBIC is accredited with the Excellence distinction from the National Institute of Health Carlos III and the “HR Excellence in Research” by the EC.

The Institute is structured in 44 research groups that cooperate in the implementation of five scientific programmes. IMIBIC offers an active environment in which to conduct high-level scientific research. Regular seminars and research events offer the opportunity to meet with national and international experts covering a diverse range of topics in biomedicine. Advanced training of our PhD students is provided primarily through the Doctoral Program in Biomedicine (UCO), hosted at the IMIBIC and integrated by leading scientists from the University and the Hospital. Results from research activities are exposed yearly in the IMIBIC Young Investigator Meetings, providing an ideal environment to strengthen the skills and knowledge of young scientists and to foster translational research by bringing together experimental basic and medical sciences.

IMIBIC is a young and fast-growing research center. It operates in a brand new building located within the UCO Health Sciences Campus and next to the University Hospital. It hosts over 600 researchers and offers the latest technology, equipment and laboratories to support the technical needs of the research community.

Cordoba is a medium-sized city located in the heart of Andalusia, with excellent transport connections to the main cities of Spain and both to the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Rich in history and culture, Cordoba is a friendly and welcoming city, with a high standard of living, making it an ideal location for international students wishing to carry out their doctoral studies in Spain.