2024 Call for recruitment of a new junior group leader at MeLiS

Deadline for applications February 29th 2024

Download full description of the offer

We seek researchers interested by the basic processes that regulate the biology of cells, and how their dysfunction leads to human diseases in developing, adult, and aging organisms. Projects developing innovative methods, including biophysics, quantitative biology, advanced in vivo imaging and relevant ‘omic’ approaches will be considered with particular interest.

MeLis is embedded in a stimulating scientific environment, which includes research institutes focusing on genetics, development, cancer and neuroscience, and has strong connections with the clinical/hospital community in Lyon.

MeLis is embedded in a stimulating scientific environment, which includes research institutes focusing on genetics, development, cancer and neuroscience, and has strong connections with the clinical/hospital community in Lyon.

Applications and inquiries should be sent to the search committee (melis.call@univ-lyon1.fr) before February 29th 2023. Candidates should provide a single PDF file comprising of a cover letter explaining their motivation to join MeLiS, a detailed CV, a summary of the scientific achievements (3 pages), and a research project proposal highlighting possible synergies or complementarity with MeLiS research teams (4 pages).

Technical Staff Positions

Assistant(e) ingénieur(e), CDD 1 an (renouvelable) H/F

Team Marcelle

Date limite de candidature : 15/02/2024.
Contact Valérie Morin
Offre complète
Type of contract : CDD Technique
Duration of contract : 12 mois
Deadline of application : 15 février 2024
Type of position : Temps complet
Salary : 26267,64€ brut/an

Un poste d’Assistant ingénieur est ouvert à compter de Mars 2024 et pour un an (renouvelable) financé sur un contrat ANR dans l’équipe Formation, croissance et réparation du muscle, dirigée par le professeur Christophe Marcelle. L’équipe est située dans l’unité MeLiS (Mechanisms in Integrative Life Sciences, MeLiS - UCBL-CNRS UMR 5284 - INSERM U1314) sur le campus de Rockefeller de l’Université Claude Bernard Lyon-1. L’équipe est composée de 3 chercheurs ou enseignants-chercheurs, 3 étudiants en thèse, 1 post-doctorant, 2 étudiantes de M2 et 2 ingénieurs).

Description du poste

En collaboration avec un large consortium de chercheurs français, nous avons récemment obtenu un contrat important de type "RHU", destiné à trouver des thérapies innovantes pour améliorer la tolérance des organes transplantés. La transplantation d'organes solides est vitale pour beaucoup de patients atteints de maladies chroniques terminales. Les médicaments immunosuppresseurs ont amélioré les taux de survie chez ces patients, mais présentent des effets secondaires importants. Les cellules T régulatrices (Treg) jouent un rôle crucial dans la tolérance des greffes chez les patients, et leur utilisation généralisée pourrait diminuer fortement la dépendance aux immunosuppresseurs, réduisant ainsi la morbidité, et améliorant significativement la qualité de vie. Toutefois, les Treg ont une forte tendance à être instable et à se transformer en cellules toxiques.

L'objectif de ce projet RHU est de générer des "Treg améliorés" par génie génétique. Ces modifications consistent en la perte et le gain de fonction de plusieurs gènes. Notre contribution à cette étude consiste à construire, générer et à utiliser des vecteurs lentiviraux porteurs de gènes thérapeutiques pour produire des Treg améliorés pouvant être utilisés chez les patients.

L’assistant ingénieur participera au développement des outils moléculaires et les testera. Le(la) candidat devra concevoir et mettre en œuvre les expériences, les analyser et rendre compte régulièrement des résultats au sein de l’équipe. L’assistant ingénieur travaillera de manière indépendante mais en coordination avec les chercheurs et les étudiants de l’équipe.

Profil du candidat

  • Spécialité/domaine : biologie cellulaire.
  • Expérience professionnelle souhaitée dans le domaine : entre 1 et 3 ans
  • Compétences attendues : Maitriser la culture cellulaire, Savoir communiquer en anglais.
  • Savoir être : Rigueur, Autonomie, Sens de l'organisation.

Salaire

En fonction de l’expérience du candidat, selon barèmes UCBL.

Contact

Valérie Morin Lab manager/Ingénieur d’étude : valerie.morin@univ-lyon1.fr

Post-doctoral fellow

Application deadline : until the position is filled
Contact Jean-Louis Bessereau

Team Bessereau

Complete offer description

Postdoctoral position in Molecular Neuroscience in Lyon, France

A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Jean-Louis Bessereau at the University of Lyon, France. It will focus on the molecular mechanisms of synaptogenesis using C. elegans as a genetically tractable model organism. This position is provisionally funded for 3 years.

Our laboratory focuses on identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the organization and maintenance of the synapse, with particular emphasis on the control of neurotransmitter receptor expression and localisation (link) Our research strategy is based on the combination of genetics, imaging, electrophysiology and biochemistry in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In recent years, we have identified an anterograde synaptic organizer, Ce-Punctin, that controls excitatory vs. inhibitory identity of postsynaptic domains and localizes neurotransmitter receptors through cross-talk between extra- and intracellular scaffolds. (Nature, 2014, 511:466-70; Neuron, 2015, 86:1407-19; Nat. Commun, 2020, 11:2674; J. Cell. Biol., 2021, 220:11144 ). This pathway is evolutionarily conserved and is involved in synapse formation and maintenance in the mouse central nervous system (Cell Rep, 2023, 42: 112947).

The postdoctoral project will investigate the mechanisms underlying the specificity and diversity of cholinergic synapses at single neuron resolution. Our laboratory has used CRISPR/Cas9 to tag a battery of ionotropic acetylcholine receptors and in vivo imaging shows that within a single neuron, different receptors are reproducibly segregated at different synapses. Despite our complete knowledge of the C. elegans connectome, the mechanisms underlying the specification and identity of these synapses are not known. These questions will be addressed using genetics, genome engineering and in vivo imaging. The project will take an integrative approach in close collaboration with expert microscopists and electrophysiologists.

The candidate should be highly motivated, able to work independently and have good interpersonal and communication skills. Applicants should have a strong background in molecular, cell biology and/or neuroscience. Previous experience with C. elegans manipulation and genetics will be appreciated but is not mandatory. Fluency in English and the ability to work in an international environment is mandatory. Ability to speak French is not required.

Our team is part of the MeLiS Department, Lyon, France, which provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and a strong scientific environment, including a large C. elegans laboratory community. The project is funded by a grant from the FRM (Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale). Salary will depend on previous experience according to national guidelines and will include health care and pension benefits. The initial appointment will be for one year and may be extended for a further two years.

Applicants should send a C.V., a statement of research accomplishments and interests, and contact information for three references to:

jean-louis.bessereau@univ-lyon1.fr

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Application deadline : until the position is filled
Contact Olivier Pascual

Team Honnorat

Complete offer description

Post-Doctoral position on microglia-neuron interactions at MeLis in Lyon

Dr Olivier Pascual is looking for a talented post-doctoral fellow to work on neuron-glia interactions.

The aim of the current project is to determine, whether microglia processes contacts with synapses play a role in memory and how they participate to neuronal homeostasis during sleep. Using a combination of electrophysiology (EEG-EMG) and live two-photon imaging on awake transgenic mice, we will image microglia contacts with spine during a learning task, the consolidation phase during sleep and the recall. To evaluate the role of microglia on neuronal homeostasis during sleep, we will invalidate microglia-neuron communication genetically or by replacing sleep by anesthesia. Results obtained will provide information on the signaling and mechanisms used by microglia to regulate synaptic function during a learning task.

Required skills: Surgery (viral injections, electrode implantation), live two-photon imaging on awake mice, electrophysiology, Python or Matlab coding is required but not mandatory.

We are looking for:

  • Highly motivated researcher holding a PhD in Neurosciences
  • Capable of autonomous and independent organizational and experimental activity
  • Good team player, collaborative, self-driven and detail-oriented
  • Fluent in both spoken and written English (B2-C1) and with good/excellent communication skills
  • Capable of structuring and writing research articles
  • Good track-record of publications in relation to the academic year and research experience

What we do offer:

  • Access to excellent equipment to perform a variety of methods.
  • Working in a novel, hot and unexplored field of research
  • Participation to national and international conferences
  • Receiving training in scientific writing and other soft skills necessary to become a competitive candidate in the professional field of choice.

The position will be available for 1 year, starting early 2024. The gross salary will be in accordance with the French University scale, and can be implemented according to the candidate experience. Please send updated CV, motivation letter and at least 2 reference contacts to: Olivier Pascual.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.