Missions

The Molecular Basis of Inflammation Team is interested in the study of cell type specific inflammatory responses and their intertwining with metabolic homeostasis. Inflammation is a normal reaction of the immune system in response to infections or tissue damage and plays a pivotal role in triggering adaptive immunity. However, unresolved inflammation is pervasive and fosters several etiologically distinct human pathologies that present with a broad range of symptoms. Such pathologies include cancer, auto-inflammatory and auto-immune disorders, but also metabolic diseases. With the support of the European Research Council (ERC), we aim to investigate:
1. how chronic inflammation is triggered in metabolic cells
2. how tissue-level immunity is controlled in metabolic tissues
3. whether metabolic alterations fuel chronic inflammatory pathologies
The candidate will develop his/her research focus within the laboratory, while collaborating on a wide range of technical and conceptual aspects with other laboratory members. He/she will be particularly interested in intercellular communications within adipose tissue or the liver. He/she will be interested in the role of lipid metabolism in tissue homeostasis and in particular the differentiation capacity of adipocyte progenitors. He/she will also be interested in the impact of metabolic alterations on immune cells.

Initial contract of 12 months, with the possibility of extension.

Activités

Specific activities include conducting experiments, and data analysis, including:
- Cell Biology (flow cytometry, microscopy, etc)
- Molecular Biology (transcriptomic approaches, cloning, etc)
- In vivo experimentation (diet intervention, adoptive transfers etc)
Single cell and spatial technologies will be used in the course of the project.
Selected candidate(s) will be in close interaction with the vast network of platforms available across the Montpellier community, for metabolomics and transcriptomics, and other cutting-edge approaches.
The recruited candidate will also be engaged in the dissemination of projects' results.

Compétences

The highly motivated post-doctoral fellow should hold a Ph.D. in cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology or a related discipline. Knowledge in immunology and metabolism are required, as well as expertise in molecular biology, cell biology and animal handling. Expertise in transcriptomic approaches, including single cell technologies will be a plus.
Prospective candidates should be able to work autonomously to develop innovative ideas, but also collaborate with other lab members to promote interdisciplinarity. Candidates will have outstanding communication skills and be proficient in English.

Contexte de travail

The Molecular Basis of Inflammation Team has joined the “Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier” (www.igmm.cnrs.fr) in April 2023. The IGMM is a CNRS/Montpellier University center for basic research, located in the South of France. The IGMM is part of a major CNRS campus in Montpellier and enjoys tight connections with other major research centers, dedicated notably to chemistry (IBMM, ICCG), cell biology (CRBM) and infectious diseases (IRIM), as well as access to 18 platforms (http://biocampus.cnrs.fr). The IGMM also hosts excellent in-house facilities that will ease implementation of the project. The campus therefore provides an exceptional environment to foster scientific interactions. The Molecular Basis of Inflammation Team is highly collaborative and enjoys a tight network of interdisciplinary collaborators, providing ground for out of the box ideas and strategies.

Contraintes et risques

Work in containment areas may be required.