Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) Senescence, immunosurveillance and the tumour microenvironment

Job Description

Missions

The postdoctoral researcher will join the “ISAC – Immune Surveillance in Aging & Cancer” team led by Dr Julien Cherfils-Vicini at the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN, U1081 / UMR7284). The team studies the role of senescent cells in aging and cancer, and the immunosurveillance mechanisms controlling their elimination.
Cellular senescence is a driver of aging and an ambivalent player in tumorigenesis. The team has uncovered mechanisms by which senescent cells escape immunosurveillance, particularly NK-cell-mediated (Iltis et al., Nature Aging 2024), and has proposed the concept of Senescence Immune Checkpoints (SIC). Among these mechanisms, the expression of gangliosides such as GD3 by senescent and tumour cells contributes to remodelling the microenvironment and dampening the immune response.
The recruited researcher will contribute to a project aiming to characterise the impact of senescence and GD3 expression in the sarcoma microenvironment, and to assess its consequences on the anti-tumoral immune response and on prognosis. He or she will characterise senescent cells and the immune microenvironment, functionally study immunosurveillance (in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo), analyse tumour samples and explore the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. He or she will design, perform and analyse the experiments, working independently and in close interaction with the team and its collaborators.
Candidate profile
We are looking above all for a personality: someone motivated, determined, persistent and tenacious, able to bring demanding projects to completion in a dynamic and internationally competitive scientific environment that remains supportive and collaborative day to day. A genuine taste for teamwork, experimental autonomy and rigour is essential.

Activity

Main activities
• Independently design, develop and carry out the projects' experiments (cell culture, cytometry, tissue analysis, animal models, molecular biology).
• Define the coherent set of techniques required to meet the scientific objectives and validate the technical options.
• Process, analyse, interpret and validate results; ensure their reproducibility and traceability (electronic lab notebook).
• Disseminate results: publications, communications, and interactions with the team's collaborators.
• Contribute to the training and supervision of team students in the relevant techniques.
• Where applicable, contribute to drafting and managing regulatory documents related to animal experimentation.
• Maintain scientific and technological monitoring; apply and enforce health and safety rules.

Your Profil

Skills

Core of the position:
• Tumour immunology and immunosurveillance, with a strong interest in the analysis of the immune microenvironment (NK cells, myeloid populations, lymphocytes; functional assays: cytotoxicity, activation, cytokine production).
• Multiparametric flow cytometry (immunophenotyping, panel design, analysis); experience with high-content / spectral cytometry (high-dimensional panels) would be an asset.
• Human and murine cell culture, primary cells and cell lines (co-cultures, cell sorting, cell purification, induction and characterisation of senescence).
• Tissue analysis and multiplexed / multicolour histology (immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, spatial imaging, microdissection, image analysis); analysis of tumour samples and clinico-pathological correlations.
• Mouse models of tumours and aging (grafts, in vivo Matrigel plug assay, analysis of the immune infiltrate, microenvironment profiling).
• Molecular biology and gene modification (expression modulation by lentivirus/shRNA, cloning).

Appreciated assets:
• Transcriptomic analyses: bulk, single-cell and, if possible, spatial RNA-seq; design and analysis of omics experiments. Solid hands-on experience in RNA-seq, or more broadly in omics, is a particularly valued additional asset.
• Animal experimentation: accreditation for animal experimentation is an appreciated advantage but not a prerequisite.
• Functional cytometry and high-dimensional analysis approaches.

Your Work Environment

Knowledge
• Tumour immunology, immunosurveillance, immune-cell biology (in depth).
• Biology of senescence and aging (working knowledge expected, in-depth knowledge appreciated).
• Multiparametric cytometry (in depth); high-content and spectral cytometry (appreciated).
• Tissue analysis, histology and imaging (in depth).
• Cell culture (human and murine, primary cells and lines) and cell biology (in depth).
• Molecular biology (in depth).
• Sequencing techniques (scRNA-seq, bulk, spatial) and notions of bioinformatics: a valued additional asset.
• Legal and ethical framework of animal experimentation (appreciated, not required).
• Scientific English: B2 to C1 (CEFR).
Behavioural skills
• Determination, tenacity and ability to overcome experimental difficulties.
• Autonomy and sense of organisation.
• Rigour and critical thinking.
• Intellectual curiosity and scientific creativity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and taste for teamwork and networking.

Degree and experience
• PhD in immunology, cell biology, oncology, biology of aging or a related field.
• Postdoctoral experience and a solid scientific record (publications, communications) will be appreciated.

Constraints and risks

• Possible variability of working hours linked to experimental constraints.
• Work in a confined area / A1–A2 type environment and animal facility.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Gross monthly salary from €3071,5 and 4697,39 depending on prior professional 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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