Research Fellow in Cardio-immunology and Thrombo-inflammation; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

University of Aberdeen
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences

Organisation/Company University of Aberdeen
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Biological sciences » Biology Medical sciences » Medicine Mathematics » Statistics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Final date to receive applications 8 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Research Fellow in Cardio-immunology and Thrombo-inflammation (Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy)
University of Aberdeen - School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

GBP 38,784 - 46,049 per year

We seek to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated immunology postdoctoral fellow with top of the range knowledge and ability and demonstrated aptitude in cardiovascular sciences. The successful candidate will join the dynamic Cardiology research group within the Faculty of Medicine, headed by Professor Dana Dawson.

This is a 5-year post, funded through a British Heart Foundation Program Grant to explore the unique mechanistic patho-physiology of the strongest psycho-somatic interaction known in medicine. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (or ‘broken heart syndrome’) is an acute cardiac emergency which predominantly affects women (90%) and is triggered by a precipitant episode of stress. Despite non-obstructed coronary arteries there is severe heart dysfunction, and although the heart function ‘normalises’ shortly afterwards, these patients have reduced long‑term survival.

Although stress is on the rise for everyone, only a minority develop takotsubo cardiomyopathy for any given stress. This implies that affected individuals have an intrinsic predisposition or exposure susceptibility. This programme of research will investigate candidate pathophysiological mechanisms of susceptibility in takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Specifically, the work of the appointee will focus on (1) the activation of innate and adaptive immunity as a substrate to myocardial and systemic inflammation;

(2) the co‑engagement of thrombo‑inflammation leading to a pro‑thrombotic state in the micro‑circulation.

The appointee will be part of a translational team and work closely with immunology, thrombosis/fibrinolysis, bioinformatics and clinical colleagues. It is hoped that together, the group will provide the leap of science required to understand the full pathway in which this newly described disease triggers and unfolds.

The Fellow will work to define the innate and adaptive immune responses in acute, convalescent and recovered takotsubo patients. The immunology team on this project are Professor Heather Wilson, Dr. Michael Morgan (Aberdeen) and Professor Marinos Kallikourdis (Milan). The post holder will be required to develop new thrombosis and fibrinolysis knowledge to explore how thrombo‑inflammation underpins the condition. For this collaboration the post‑holder will work closely with the team led by Professor Nicola Mutch.

The post would be particularly suited to an individual with strong collaborative skills and a passion for translational projects.

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 6 scale, £38,784 - £46,049 per annum, pro rata and negotiable with placement according to qualifications and experience.

Prior to employment, the successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route under the UKVI immigration rules but is dependent on factors specific to the candidate and if tradeable points can be used under the rules.

Job Reference Number: IMS
336R

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 8 October 2026
.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute University of Aberdeen - School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences Country United Kingdom City Aberdeen