RESEARCHER PROFILE:
- Postdoc / R2: PhD holders
- Researcher, Assistant Professor/ Senior Lecturer / R3: Established Researcher
- Professor, Tenure track / R4: Leading Researcher
RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Neuroscience, Pharmacological sciences, Medical sciences, Pharmacology, Biotechnology, Protein engineering, Blood Brain Barrier (BBB), CNS Drug Delivery, Brain Shuttles, Brain Imaging, Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning.
MAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Neuropathology, Neurochemistry, Biochemistry, Neuro-oncology, Neuroinflammation, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Alzheimer’s Disease
JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION
Context
Brain disorders account for one of the highest rates of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide, partly because the application of therapeutic and diagnostic agents is hindered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Therefore, there is a global need of novel brain delivery systems that grant access to the brain of therapeutic biologics and/or imaging and theragnostic agents. Receptor mediated transcytosis (RMT) pathways engaging different receptors of the BBB are being successfully exploited to transport pharmaceutical agents into the brain following their functionalization with peptides, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or their engineered versions, such as fragment binding regions (Fab), single chain variable fragments (scFv), and VHH (also referred to as single domain antibodies, sdAbs). To date, four therapeutic candidates that benefit from RMT strategies for brain delivery have shown promising results and have reached advanced clinical trial phases. In the field of AD, a mAb targeting amyloid beta and conjugated to a Fab ligand that binds the Transferrin Receptor1 (TfR1) showed enhanced brain delivery and significant beneficial effects in patients in phase 3 trial. In this context, we have successfully developed VHH vectors that target different BBB receptors such as the TfR (patent ID: WO 2020144233 A1). These VHH allow delivery into the brain of different cargos, such as mAbs, oligonucleotides (e.g., ASO, siRNA, mRNA), PET or MRI contrast agents that can be used for CNS immunotherapy, gene therapy, and as disease imaging biomarkers respectively.
The "Chaire de Professeur Junior" (CPJ)
This is a position in the academic field that will be supported by the CNRS. It is designed for early-career researchers who have completed their doctoral studies and a post-doc, and who will succeed in the competition (written application and evaluation by a jury). The CPJ will allow the successful candidate to conduct independent research and contribute to the academic community, while receiving salary support for 3 to 5 years and 200 000€ in start-up funds. The CPJ position is temporary and aims to bridge the gap between post-doctoral training and a permanent academic researcher position at the CNRS, which can be obtained within 3 to 5 years.
The candidate will have to set up a team and/or a technological platform to lead research projects aimed at conjugating pharmaceutical products with various vectors. The research project is timely and will be implemented in what is emerging as a new era, at the crossroads of pharmaceutical developments based on biologics including mAbs, oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins, and the potential to target these therapeutics to the CNS and other organs. The CPJ project will involve highly multidisciplinary approaches: CNS pharmacology and drug development, chemical medicine, BBB expertise, biotechnology, structural biology, protein and antibody engineering, cell and brain imaging, animal models of disease, computational science supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The goal is to promote effective product development and a fast translation from bench to preclinical studies.
The project will be developed in collaboration with the biotech company Vect-Horus (https://www.vect-horus.com ), an INP spin-off specializing in the vectorization of biomolecules across the BBB. The INP and Vect-Horus are partners in a " Laboratoire Commun de Recherche " (Labcom) offering opportunities for industrial partnerships with international biotech and pharma companies.
TYPE OF CONTRACT: PERMANENT /TEMPORARY / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 25/05/2025
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/10/2025
ENVISAGED DURATION: from 36 to 60 months followed by a permanent position
WORK LOCATION(S): Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology (INP) UMR 5071 Aix-Marseille Université/CNRS. Faculté de Médecine, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, FRANCE
WHAT WE OFFER:
Host Laboratory
The INP aims to attract the next generation of neuroscientists to implement new therapeutic, imaging or theragnostic biomolecules and their vectorization into the brain across the BBB. The INP is supported by the CNRS and Aix-Marseille University (AMU). It is composed of 12 academic research teams that combine basic and translational research to better understand the pathophysiology of the diseased brain and find new therapeutic strategies in a stimulating working environment (https://inp.univ-amu.fr). The INP is located on the Health Sciences Campus of La Timone, which is home to other leading Neuroscience laboratories, bringing together more than 400 people working on a wide range of topics in the field of neuroscience. The state-of-the-art facilities of the INP include super/high- resolution and high-throughput advanced microscopy (STORM, SIM, SoRa, HCS), an iPS cell and genome editing platform, a biophysical platform specialized in molecular interactions (SPR, DSC, DSF, ITC, AUC and mass spectrometry) and a platform specialized in the study of the brain tumor microenvironment (see https://inp.univ-amu.fr/en/plateformes for details). The INP members also have access to other state-of-the-art facilities on campus, including live 2-photon and electron microscopy, virus production and use facilities (A2-A3), functional imaging (MRI), and a SPF rodent facility with space for surgery and animal behavioral studies. Hospital centers close to the campus facilitate interactions with clinicians.
The INP is a member of NeuroMarseille (https://neuro-marseille.org ), a network of excellence that brings together scientists, clinicians and entrepreneurs, and represents the second largest neuroscience community in France. AMU is part of the CIVIS European alliance that promotes scientific and educational synergies in a dynamic international environment (https://civis.eu/fr). The INP is also part of the Institute of Oncology and Immunology, the Imaging Institute of Biology and Medicine of Marseille, and the Laënnec Institute specialized in digital sciences and AI.
The INP staff teaches in the undergraduate and postgraduate programs of the Faculties of Science, Pharmacy and Medicine, as well as in the NeuroSchool, the international PhD program of the Graduate School of Neuroscience (https://neuro-marseille.org/en/training).
Additional information: The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal
QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS
- The INP welcomes a junior scientist seeking a permanent position in France to progressively develop a new group to lead independent and innovative research programs in the field of CNS drug delivery and vectorization.
- Applicants must hold a doctorate and have relevant postdoctoral experience. They should have interest and experience in translational research related to the design and vectorization of biomolecules to the CNS. The candidate should have a competitive CV and a track record that will allow her/him to obtain a permanent position as a Research Director at the CNRS within the next 3-5 years.
- Applicants should have expertise or at least be familiar with: CNS pharmacology and drug development, chemical medicine, BBB pathophysiology, biotechnology, structural biology, protein and antibody engineering, cellular and brain imaging, animal models of disease, computational science supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
- We strongly encourage applications from candidates who meet the criteria to apply for ATIP-Avenir or European funded programs (e.g. ERC). The CNRS, AMU and INP offer support and guidance in the preparation of grants and tenure applications.
REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS
Applications must be submitted in a single PDF file and in the following order:
- A complete CV and list of publications.
- A cover letter describing past and present research and teaching activities (2 pages max).
- A proposal for a research project (3 pages max).
- Two letters of recommendation
All applications will undergo a pre-selection procedure by the INP Steering Committee.
Pre-selected applicants will be further evaluated by an independent jury.
Please note that this deadline may be earlier than expected for administrative reasons. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, please contact:
HOW TO APPLY: francois.devred@univ-amu.fr and santiago.rivera@univ-amu.fr
