Research Scholar

Minneapolis heart institute foundation•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

Working under the guidance of the Director of the Heart Rhythm Science Center, the Research Scholar of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) engages in a two-year research and educational experience which contributes to clinical research dedicated to improving clinical practice and ultimately discovering life-saving treatments. The Research Scholar is responsible for conducting clinical research studies [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_trials] using good clinical practice [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_clinical_practice] guidelines under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI). Through this mentorship, the Research Scholar develops significant expertise in designing and executing clinical studies, both prospective and retrospective, single-center and multi-center. The scholar also participates in and builds skills in medical writing and learns the publication process. Research scholars also gain experience in and contribution to research through preparing and submitting abstracts and challenging cases to scientific congresses, and in presenting their work in oral and/ or poster formats. This research position has no patient care responsibilities. Our research team is based at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA and works in collaboration with the Minneapolis Heart Institute®(MHI) at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and United Hospital, part of the Allina Health System. The team is conducting several investigator and clinical studies.

Requirements

Medical degree with track record of excellence
Proficiency in English (verbal and written)

Nice To Haves

Interest in electrophysiology; exposure to/specialty training in general cardiology and/or electrophysiology is preferred
Knowledge of basic statistical methods
Skilled and versatile with computer technology including the Microsoft suite including Excel, comfort with databases and preferably some website development skills
Flexible and adaptable to work on a variety of studies and tasks

Responsibilities

Participate in the HRSC IIR research projects including: a. Exome sequencing to determine genetic etiology. Whole exome sequencing (WES) is a transformative technological breakthrough of enabling comprehensive, genetic sequencing of ~20,000 genes and is poised to accelerate familial gene discovery. We seek to identify novel genetic mutations and discover the molecular basis of idiopathic cardiology in patients with a cardiomyopathy genetic mutation. b. Genetic Arrhythmia Center (GAC) Registry. Collect disease specific data to increase our understanding of the natural history and clinical presentation of multiple cardiac genetic arrhythmic conditions. We seek to use this information to improve the quality of care for this unique subset of patients. c. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Patients with ACM and LGE as established by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may have associated advanced ventricular dysfunction and be at risk for ventricular arrythmias. The presence and location of LGE may help to identify patients at risk of ventricular dysfunction and arrythmais and help with risk-stratification and surveillance to determine candidacy for advanced therapies. d. Leadless intracardiac pacemakers were developed to avoid the complications of transvenous pacing systems, including lead failure, infection, and pocket discomfort. However, limited literature exists comparing long-term clinical outcomes, safety and efficacy of these pacing therapies particularly in comparison to traditional left bundle branch/HIS pacing (LBB). The study aim is to compare clinical outcomes of leadless right ventricular pacing and left-bundle branch/His pacing at 30 days, 1 & 5 years.
Write and publish papers in major journals about models to diagnose and treat rare heritable heart conditions that predispose patients to sudden cardiac death, identifying the mechanisms to improve long-term outcomes in atrial fibrillation management, and the safety, efficacy and optimization of cardiac devices as well as present research findings at regional and national meetings.
Participate in the development and execution of the ongoing investigator-initiated trials at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. The scholars will be involved in development of creation of study databases, and collaboration with research staff