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Unit: School of Medicine

Department: Internal Medicine

Mission of the Unit/Department:  

Today, early career scientists in multi-disciplinary translational cardiovascular research are needed to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD burden has been rising for decades in most countries and the age-standardized rate of CVD has also risen in locations where it had been previously declining (including central Virginia and many other regions in the United States). Concurrently, the CVD workforce in the United States has been shrinking—including MD and PhD investigators who are trained in multidisciplinary CVD research and how to pursue solutions that would reduce the national and global CVD burden. The goals of the Division of Cardiology and the Pauley Heart Center are thus to attract and train a diverse cohort of outstanding academic scientists in multidisciplinary translational CV research, and build a robust diversified training infrastructure to increase the number of scientists trained to conduct research to advance the treatment and prevention of CVD.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Pauley Heart Center in concert with the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology are seeking extramurally-funded, accomplished, early-career investigators to pursue funded research opportunities for the purpose of reducing the burden of CV disease. 

1. Teaching 
   • Perform teaching responsibilities related to undergraduate, graduate and early career investigators seeking research opportunities involving CV medicine
     
     
2. Research 
   • Conduct research at the interface of cardiometabolic disease and noninvasive imaging, focusing on the early detection of subclinical processes
   • Work with center director and computer science team to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance imaging workflows and streamline data processing and interpretation
   • Perform image analysis and support research in both preclinical (animal) and human subject studies, assisting collaborating investigators (faculty and trainees) with image data interpretation and reporting
   • Conduct cardiometabolic molecular experiments independently in preclinical cardiovascular science laboratory and through utilization of institutional metabolomic core laboratories; analyze and report results; perform statistical analyses in collaboration with center statisticians
   • Write scientific manuscripts and seek independent funding through submission of grant proposals
   • Collaborate closely with faculty, fellows, and technical staff to support ongoing research and educational missions
   • Present findings at internal meetings and contribute to external publications and conference abstracts

3. Service 
   • Serve on Pauley Heart Center Review Committees for Pilot programs
   • Support & Educate Trainees involved in CV research
   • Serve on Institutional Review Board Committee assignments

3. Other 
   • Supervise Staff involved in Grant preparation activities

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent in cardiovascular science, or a related discipline
• Experience with noninvasive imaging modalities (MRI) in clinical or research settings
• Strong foundation in cardiometabolic disease mechanisms and subclinical disease pathways
• Experience working in both preclinical and clinical research environments
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and interpret statistical analyses relevant to biomedical research
• Familiarity with image processing software and interest in developing or applying AI/machine learning tools
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively across clinical and basic science teams
• Strong scientific writing skills with experience preparing manuscripts or grant proposals
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience in areas of diet, activity, behavioral interventions

Salary Range: Commensurate

Benefits: All full-time university faculty are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package, that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Rank: Open

Tenure: Open

Months: 12 months

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Clare Greene
Contact Email: Clare.Greene@vcuhealth.org