Missions

The postdoctoral researcher will decipher the effects of host immunity on the transmission of arboviruses by mosquitoes to identify therapeutic targets and develop new control methods. The host team has developed several cutting-edge methods such as single-cell RNA sequencing, an in vivo transmission model with wild-type and transgenic mice, molecular entomology, transgenic mosquitoes, and a method of immunization against mosquito salivary proteins. The candidate will rely on this advanced methodological expertise and extensive scientific knowledge to develop an innovative approach leading to a mechanistic characterization of the molecular phenomena of flavivirus transmission, in order to propose and test new interventions targeting skin infection following a mosquito bite. The project is ambitious and has high application potential.

Activities

The postdoctoral researcher will conduct their research activities independently in the following scientific areas:

Molecular entomology
Adaptive immunology
Innate immunology
Virology
scRNAseq
Mouse models

Skills

We are searching for a motivated post doc candidate with a strong expertise in mouse immunity and a very good track-record of publications. We strongly encourage candidates from fields that are not related to arboviruses to apply. The candidate should have a high level of intellectual engagement and excellent problem-solving skills. The ability to work independently and generate hypotheses is essential.

We offer a one-year contract renewable for 3 years. Salary is attractive and will depend upon experience. Only selected candidates will be invited for interview. The position is expected to start between September and November 2024. The position will remain opened until a suitable candidate is found.

Work Context

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on earth due to their ability to transmit deadly and life-debilitating pathogens. Arboviruses transmitted by mosquito threaten almost the whole human population. Unfortunately, there are neither effective vaccine nor therapeutics and vector control has moderate effect on epidemics.

Skin infection following mosquito infectious bite is required for systemic infection. Hence, understanding the factors determining skin infection are paramount to understand arbovirus transmission. The team has developed cutting-edge tools leveraging in vivo transmission models, single-cell transcriptomics and mosquito transgenics to address this question. The post-doctoral project aims at applying these tools and knowledge to decipher the molecular architecture of bite-initiated skin infection with a focus on translational applications to combat mosquito-borne diseases.

The project will take place in the team of Dr Julien Pompon (https://scholar.google.com.sg/citations?user=wRQf0q8AAAAJ&hl=en) in the IRD-CNRS-UM unit MIVEGEC in Montpellier, France. MIVEGEC possesses BSL2 and BSL3 cell labs, a recent BSL3 insectary and a fully-equipped BSL3 animal facility. Rich with its mosquito and virology research community, MIVEGEC and Montpellier represent a stimulating environment. The Dr Pompon's team is well-funded through EU Horizon, ANR and FRM grants and well-integrated into an international network of scientists with diverse expertise. The project and the research team will provide an excellent stimulating and nurturing environment for a young researcher career.

Constraints and risks

Part of the work will take place in a BSL3 environment.

Additional Information

https://flavivaccine.eu/