General information
Reference : UMR5218-FABPRE-017
Nombre de Postes : 1
Workplace : TALENCE
Date of publication : Monday, January 30, 2023
Type of Contract : FTC Scientist
Contract Period : 24 months
Expected date of employment : 1 March 2023
Proportion of work : Full time
Remuneration : between €2,805 and €4,405 gross monthly, depending on professional experience
Desired level of education : PhD
Experience required : Indifferent
Missions
The present project aims to study the impact of radio frequency fields on thermo-TRPs ion channels expressed in nerve endings of the skin. Particular attention will be paid to the potential effect of 5G signals on the activity of thermo-TRPs channels sensitive to cold and ambient temperatures (such as TRPM8 and TRPV4, for example). In particular, it will be investigated whether exposure to 5G signals leads to a modulation of thermo-TRPs channel activity in thermal and chemical activation modes. To do so, we will take advantage of probes developed in our laboratory using the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer technique
Activities
Bioelectromagnetism.
- Molecular biology
- Molecular pharmacology
- Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer
- LabView / Programming
Skills
* Scientific skills
- Appetence for the Physics / Biology interface
- Molecular biology
- Molecular Pharmacology
- General knowledge in cell biology. Experience with resonance energy transfer techniques would be a good point.
- Analysis and presentation of results
-Basic programming skills in LabView desired but not required.
- Fluency in English: oral expression and comprehension level B2, written comprehension level B2
* Behavioral skills
- Ability to work in a team.
- Sense of organization
- Independence
Work Context
The bioelectromagnetism team of the IMS laboratory has been studying, for more than 35 years, the mechanisms of interaction of electromagnetic fields (EMF) with living matter, as well as the biological effects induced by EMF exposure. Necessarily multidisciplinary, our team is one of the most important of its kind in the world and one of the few to associate biologists and physicists in the same place and in a coordinated way. Physicists ensure the design and characterization of electromagnetic field exposure systems and are interested in the theoretical aspects of biophysical mechanisms, while biologists address the three main themes of toxicology, pathophysiology and mechanisms of action at the cellular and molecular levels.
Beyond the fundamental aspect of this interdisciplinary research, bioelectromagnetism studies meet a strong societal demand. Indeed, due to the rapid development of the use of EMF in our private and professional environment, fears are expressed about potential health effects, especially in the radiofrequency (RF) range, used for wireless communications. At the biophysical level, it is well known that RF causes heating of tissues. Recommendations and standards have been defined to protect populations from the associated risks. However, the non-thermal effects of low-level RF fields are poorly understood and the data in the literature are often contradictory. This research topic is even more important as 5G is now being deployed. With the deployment of 5G, and due to the increased frequency of the carrier of these signals at 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz, penetration into tissues decreases and the skin becomes an important target in the context of health monitoring. Finally, recent studies indicate that the thermo-TRPs cationic channels, which are found in nerve endings in the skin, could see their functioning modified under radiofrequency exposure.
In this scientific context, the bioelectromagnetism team of the IMS laboratory is participating in a large-scale European project (GOLIAT project) that aims to study the impact of RF EMFs, in particular 5G signals, on various biological targets including thermo-TRPs channels.
Constraints and risks
Screen work
ionizing radiation
Additional Information
Applications must include:
- a curriculum vitae and the contact information of two or three persons likely to give a motivated opinion on the candidate
- a letter of motivation
- a short summary of the PhD and/or one or two publications representative of the candidate's previous research activities.
Any incomplete application will not be considered.
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