Careers at Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral opening in cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms is immediately available in the Poelzing lab. We are looking for highly motivated candidates with expertise in electrophysiology and whole-heart Langendorff perfusion or ECG telemetry. The project involves testing a novel hypothesis that structural integrity alone is sufficient to protect against arrhythmogenic conduction slowing in diseases associated with monogenic mutations in proteins expressed in the intercalated disc: gap junctions, sodium channels, desmosomes, and adherens junctions. Work will include optically mapping genetically engineered monogenic mutant mouse hearts, transmission and super-resolution microscopy, and telemetry. Novel peptide interventions targeting parts of the intercalated disc different from the areas of mutation will be perfused to test whether they can conceal or unmask an arrhythmogenic conduction phenotype.

During the two years of this appointment, the expectation is that the fellow will have published a primary research manuscript in a peer-review journal and submitted one post-doctoral fellowship application.

The environment of the Poelzing group is highly interdisciplinary and provides ample opportunities for scientific growth. The group has significant experience transitioning lab members to academic and industrial positions. Interested candidates should send their resume, statement of research goals, and at least three names for recommendation letters to Dr. Steven Poelzing (poelzing@vtc.vt.edu).

• PhD in single cell, tissue/organ, and in vivo cardiac electrophysiology, molecular biology, genetics, and other relevant areas of biomedical sciences. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
• Be highly self-motivated and possess strong training in electrophysiology, molecular biology, animal studies, biochemical, and histological assays.
• Demonstrated publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to receive training and write a post-doctoral fellowship application, participate in conferences for the intellectual exchange of research ideas, engage in existing and new collaborations within and outside Virginia Tech, and assist with the training of undergraduate and graduate students, as needed.

Experience in cardiac electrophysiology, cell cultures, ECG telemetry, optical mapping, and Matlab.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Restricted

Commensurate with experience

40+

10/10/25

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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