Postdoctoral Researcher in Neuroscience (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

Mission context: Project PEPR LUMA – HELIOPHORE
Project abstract : Photopharmacology offers a compelling approach to precisely control the bioactivity of drugs in terms of both location and timing. It relies on photoswitches, which are molecular structures capable of interconverting between two isomeric forms when exposed to light of particular wavelengths. Ideally, this system involves only one biologically active isomer that can be formed on demand in specific body area and timeframe. Photopharmacology has almost exclusively utilized azobenzenes as photoswitches since its inception. However, the UV light required for their E→Z isomerization is often low-penetrating and potentially harmful, making them less suitable for in vivo and clinical applications. Hemiindigoids, i.e., hemiindigos (HI) and hemithioindigos (HTI), present a promising alternative. They can interconvert using visible light in both directions.
Project Heliophore aims to apply these compounds to photopharmacology, by (1) deciphering the photoswitching properties of HI/HTI systems in water and physiological media, a blind spot of the existing studies, (2) designing HI/HTI inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase — an enzyme involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) —, with isomer-dependent activity, by relying on a very encouraging preliminary prototype, and (3) translate the in vitro potential to in vivo outcomes through a progressive pipeline of assays involving human cells, zebrafish larvae and transgenic AD mice, with a constant focus on the dark-vs.-light activity.
The postdoctoral researcher will work with “Partner-5” (Givalois Team) within the PEPR-LUMA HELIOPHORE project and will be specifically responsible, in the context of this project, for in vivo photopharmacology experiments, behavioral studies, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical analyses (WP3 – Task 3.3). The most effective drug candidates generated and characterized during the HELIOPHORE project by the other partners will therefore be subjected to behavioral, biochemical, and immunohistological analyses in a preclinical murine model of Alzheimer's disease (the J20 model) at key stages of the disease (3, 6, and 9 months).

Activity

Research

Your Profil

Skills

The recruited postdoctoral researcher must hold the designer level (French authorization for animal experimentation) and be authorized to perform surgical procedures in order to conduct photopharmacology experiments in transgenic mice. The recruited postdoctoral researcher must have solid experience in mouse stereotaxic surgery, behavioral studies, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical techniques adapted to Alzheimer's disease markers. The recruited postdoctoral researcher must be proficient in the “AniBio” software for the management of transgenic mice, as well as in the “EthoVision” video-tracking software developed by Noldus for behavioral studies. The candidate must also have strong expertise in neuroscience (PhD) and in Alzheimer's disease, be proficient in written and spoken scientific English, possess good statistical skills (preferably using GraphPad Prism), and demonstrate initiative, rigor, integrity, and a strong aptitude for collaborative work.

Your Work Environment

The Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF) is located on the Arnaud de Villeneuve campus and is a participant in the Pro-Vélo Employer Initiative. The candidate will join the Neuroproteomics and Brain Pathology Signaling team led by Dr. Philippe MARIN, with a handover to Drs. Sylvie CLAEYSEN and Carine BECAMEL in 2026, within the HYDRA group headed by Dr. Laurent GIVALOIS.
This project is funded by a PEPR LUMA grant awarded in 2025 and coordinated by Dr. Romain HAUDECOEUR (University of Grenoble, France). Progress will be monitored through weekly meetings, either individually or with the HELIOPHORE consortium.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3,071.50 and €4,613.14, depending on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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