MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship on risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular disease

Organisation / Company Università degli Studi di Verona Department Department of Medicine Laboratory Division of General Medicine C Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Prof. Cristiano Fava , Department of Medicine, University of Verona (Italy), invites outstanding early-career researchers to submit expressions of interest for a joint application to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) , hosted at the ESH Hypertension Excellence Centre of Verona, focusing on risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular diseas e.

Hypertension remains the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite extensive research, hypertension is a multifactorial condition whose determinants are only partially understood. In addition, the mechanistic links between elevated blood pressure, subclinical vascular damage, and subsequent cardiovascular events remain incompletely characterized.

The proposed research project will investigate both established and emerging pathophysiological mechanisms underlying hypertension and cardiovascular risk, with the aim of clarifying their contribution across the continuum from early metabolic and vascular alterations to clinical cardiovascular outcomes. Depending on the candidate’s expertise and interests, the project may involve clinical research, epidemiological analyses, biomarker discovery, or computational and statistical approaches.

The selected fellow will join an active multidisciplinary research team with expertise in hypertension, cardiometabolic epidemiology, vascular biology, and clinical research. The candidate is expected to contribute to the project through clinical, statistical, or computational skills, and will benefit from a structured training environment, international collaborations, and mentorship aimed at supporting the fellow’s scientific independence and career development.

Hosting research group / Supervisor

We are looking for applicants for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship to be presented with our Centre / Department as main host institution.

The Vascular Research Group of Verona has been actively engaged for many years in research projects focusing on hypertension, cardiovascular risk factors, and their underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Prof. Cristiano Fava is Full Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Verona and holds the accreditation of Hypertension Specialist awarded by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH). He has contributed extensively to the field with more than 140 peer-reviewed full-text publications in high-impact journals, developed through strong collaborations with national and international research groups.

The group’s research integrates clinical, translational, and epidemiological approaches and is organized around four main thematic areas:

1. Cardiovascular and Vascular Pathophysiology

Hypertension mechanisms, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, arterial stiffness, vascular remodeling, and vascular aging.

2. Genetics and Precision Medicine

Genetic determinants of blood pressure regulation and metabolic syndrome, pharmacogenetics of cardiovascular therapies, and monogenic blood pressure disorders (e.g., Gitelman syndrome).

3. Metabolic and Nutritional Determinants of Cardiovascular Risk

Obesity, metabolic syndrome, MASLD, and nutritional influences on hypertension and subclinical vascular damage across the life course.

4. Hypertension in Special Clinical Contexts

Pregnancy-related hypertension and pre‑eclampsia, anti‑angiogenic drug‑induced hypertension, and cardiovascular aspects of platelet and thrombotic disorders.

Overall, the group integrates clinical research, molecular and genetic approaches, and epidemiological methodologies to advance understanding of cardiovascular pathophysiology and improve prevention and treatment strategies.

The research group provides a structured and supportive training environment for postdoctoral researchers, including supervision by experienced investigators, access to clinical cohorts, and opportunities to develop expertise in epidemiology, clinical research, and translational cardiovascular science.

Selected candidates will be offered both academic and administrative support from the Centre / Department and the University of Verona Grant Office with regards to the proposal preparation.

Eligilbility

Candidates must be eligible according to the criteria established by the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral fellowship call:

• To have a PhD at the call deadline (September 9, 2026)
• To have up to 8 years research experience after PhD
• To be citizens of an EU State or of an Associated Country or long‑term resident in Europe (only for Global Fellowship)
• Not to have resided or carried their main activity in Italy for more than 12 in the 36 months before call deadline (September 9, 2026) – for European Fellowship
• Not to have resided or carried their main activity in the country of the Host Institution in the third country for more than 12 in the 36 months before call deadline (September 9, 2026) – for a Global Fellowship.

Besides, candidates should be fluent in English, should have excellent teamwork attitude, organizational skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.

Application

Candidates should send to the address the following documents by the 22nd of June 2026 at the latest :

• A short CV including personal data (name, date of birth, present position, the name of a referee who has agreed to send a reference letter for you)
• A two-pages research proposal

One reference letter should be sent by a referee at the same address.

Contact address: prof. Cristiano Fava
University of Verona - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Medicine