Post-doc position – team SynatAc .
PhD or Engineer position
PhD position or engineer contract
Microglia-Neuron Interactions in Memory and Sleep
Team Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies (SynatAc)
Applications open until 20/12/2025Contact Dr. Olivier Pascual
Location : MeLiS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France
Starting date : January 2026.
Contrat : 3 year, renewable.
Context
Cerebral glial cells, particularly microglia and astrocytes, play a key role in neurological and psychiatric disorders through neuroinflammation. While their activation marks disease progression, it remains unclear whether inhibiting inflammation helps or harms patients. Current imaging of glial activation relies on PET targeting the 18-kDa translocator protein, but this method is costly, limited in availability, and involves radiation. There is an urgent need for non-invasive, sensitive imaging alternatives. The white matter, due to its organized structure and low vascular density, may offer a better environment than gray matter for developing a diffusion MRI (dMRI)-based method to detect cerebral inflammation.
Related publication: Benkeder et al, Elife, 2025. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.101630
Aims of the project
The global aim of this collaborative project financed by ANR is to develop a specific dMRI-based method for detecting cerebral inflammation using a machine learning classifier. This classifier will be trained with Monte-Carlo simulations of dMRI signals obtained from digital phantoms of the complex white matter microstructure, including axons, resting and activated microglia, and astrocytes. The purpose of this position is to characterize the morphology of microglia and astrocyte in various neuroinflammatory conditions using light microscopy.
Main tasks
Characterize the morphology of microglia and astrocytes in various neuroinflammatory conditions, such as neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis, using animal models. Perform brain tissue sectioning, immunohistochemistry, and confocal imaging to acquire high-resolution morphological data on glial cells. Develop automated image analysis pipelines using Python or MATLAB to quantify the morphological features of microglia and astrocytes. Provide the obtained morphological metrics to the project collaborators to be incorporated into the computational model for dMRI-based neuroinflammation detection.
Qualifications
PhD candidate or engineer in bioinformatics, computational biology, neuroscience, or a related field. Proficient in programming and data analysis, with experience in Python or MATLAB. Familiarity with image processing and analysis techniques, such as segmentation and feature extraction. Excellent communication skills in English (B2-C1 level) for scientific writing and presentations.
Conditions
3-year contract.
Location: Lyon, France. MeLiS laboratory link
Stimulating research environment with access to state-of-the-art technological platforms.Application
Candidates should email a CV, cover letter and contact details of two references to olivier.pascual@inserm.fr. Applications will be accepted until 20/12/2025.
Post-doctoral position
Post-doctoral position
Microglia-Neuron Interactions in Memory and Sleep
Team Synaptopathies and Autoantibodies (SynatAc)
Applications open until 15/09/2025Contact Dr. Olivier Pascual
Location : MeLiS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France
Starting date : October 2025.
Contrat : 1 year, renewable.
Context
Learning and memory involve strengthening specific neuronal assemblies through Hebbian plasticity, allowing their reactivation during recall. Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, with hippocampal sharp-wave ripples and thalamocortical spindles replaying and transferring information to the cortex for long-term storage. Spindles alone can also reinforce cortical memory traces. While these processes are well-studied at the level of neurons and dendrites, their synaptic underpinnings remain unclear, and the role of microglial cells is still largely unknown.
Related publication: Hristovska et al, Nat Comm, 2022. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34035-9
Aims of the project
To study the impact of mutations on the biosynthesis, assembly and trafficking of potassium channels in vivo using genetically modified models in C. elegans.
This original project combines complementary approaches for an in-depth assessment of the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with pathogenic variants.Main tasks
Surgery (viral injections, electrode implantation), live two-photon imaging on awake mice, electrophysiology, data treatment, basic biochemistry (WB, PCR, immunohistochemistry).
Qualifications
PPhD in Neuroscience or equivalent with less than two year of experience. Python or Matlab coding is required, FELASA grade B or C is mandatory. Fluent in both spoken and written English (B2-C1) and with good/excellent communication skills.
Conditions
1-year contract (renewable).
Location: Lyon, France. MeLiS laboratory link
Stimulating research environment with access to state-of-the-art technological platforms.Application
Candidates should email a CV, cover letter and contact details of two references to olivier.pascual@inserm.fr. Applications will be accepted until 15/09/2025.
