A 2-year NIH-funded postdoctoral research fellow position (with the option for 3rd year) is available immediately in the laboratory of Gary Pierce, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Human Physiology at the University of Iowa. The position will be broadly focused on investigating the integrative mechanisms that contribute to age-related increase in large elastic central artery stiffness and pulsatile hemodynamics in older adults with isolated systolic hypertension and also lead a short-term randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial. There are also ample opportunities to develop complementary lines of research (which is strongly encouraged) in a highly collaborative environment. There are extensive opportunities to collaborate with co-investigators/co-mentors across the University including the Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Center, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, Maternal Fetal Tissue Bank, Iowa Biomedical Imaging Institute and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Excellent clinical research infrastructure in the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science and basic science core labs in the Carver College of Medicine are available to conduct high impact translational research.

Duties and responsibilities: The candidate will be responsible for developing and conducting clinical research protocols to test the mechanisms that contribute to large elastic central artery stiffness in older humans with isolated systolic hypertension and lead a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial. Other opportunities are also available to study groups with obesity, history of preeclampsia, COPD, and cognitive impairment.   Responsible for data collection, analysis, abstract and manuscript preparation, assisting in grant applications, presenting data at scientific meetings, developing postdoctoral grant fellowships and/or career development awards, and strong interest in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

The position is for 2 years with option for 3rd year starting anytime between Sept 1, 2020 and Jan 1, 2021.

Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Gary Pierce at gary-pierce@uiowa.edu .  Application must include 1) brief a letter of interest, 2) full curriculum vitae, 3) PDFs of 2 peer-reviewed published articles, 4) 1-2 page summary of research accomplishments and future research goals, and 5) names and contact information of 2-3 individuals who will provide letters of recommendation if asked.  Review of applications will begin Sept 1, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. degree in human physiology, integrative physiology, kinesiology, exercise physiology or related field, or M.D.

Laboratory experience in clinical/human vascular, autonomic or exercise physiology research

Must be able to work independently and have a strong desire to mentor graduate and undergraduate students

Experience with IRB procedures and clinicaltrials.org

Excellent written and verbal English communication skills

Good working knowledge of cardiovascular and autonomic physiology

Must be highly motivated, have strong attention to detail, ability to troubleshoot problems, and bring projects to completion and publication

Desirable Qualifications:

Desired technical abilities including some but not all of the following: vascular or cardiac ultrasound, plethysmography, applanation tonometry, microneurography, lower body negative pressure, isolated limb exercise/metaboreflex studies, transcranial Doppler, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and maximal exercise testing. Experience with brain MRI also highly desirable.

Good working knowledge of biostatistics

Some lab-based experience including performing ELISAs, Western blotting, cell culture and/or other basic lab procedures but not required.

Career goal to become an independent, extramurally funded investigator.

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