Post-Doc - Controlling the Trafficking of Key Regulators of Cancer Cell Invasion. M/F. ENS, Paris, France.

Job Description

Missions

Our lab is looking for a post-doc to develop and use novel tools for studying the role of intracellular organization and endomembrane trafficking in the early steps driving cancer cell invasion.

Activity

The main activity concerns the development of tools enabling rapid, reversible, and localized control of the accessibility of biomolecules and intracellular organelles.

During escape from a primary tumour, cancer cells remodel the extracellular matrix to create paths for invasion through invadopodia, specialized actin-rich structures with matrix-degrading activity (1). Invadopodia function depends on the precise spatial and temporal coordination of intracellular trafficking pathways, which deliver and regulate key matrix-remodeling factors. However, dissecting these dynamic processes requires tools that enable rapid, reversible, and localized control of biomolecule and organelle accessibility. To address this challenge, we are developing specific tools that allow the reversible trapping of organelles to selectively perturb specific cellular functions (2). We will apply these tools to reversibly control the trafficking and activity of key regulators of invadopodia-mediated matrix remodeling.

References:

1. MT1-MMP directs force-producing proteolytic contacts that drive tumor cell invasion
R. Ferrari, G. Martin, O. Tagit, A. Guichard, A. Cambi, R. Voituriez, S. Vassilopoulos, P. Chavrier. Nat. Comm (2025). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12930-y

2. Controlling lipid droplet dynamics via tether condensates
Amari C, Simon D, Bellon T, Plamont MA, Thiam AR, and Gueroui Z
Nat. Chem. Biol. (2025). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-025-01915-2

Your Profil

Skills

The applicant should hold a PhD in Cell Biophysics or Cell Biology and show strong interest for interdisciplinary and collaborative works.
A strong command of cell biology, molecular biology, and optical microscopy tools is desired.

Your Work Environment

-Our laboratory is a highly-collaborative environment with state-of-the-art facilities and expertise in biophysics, cell biology and synthetic biology. The candidate will benefit from a multidisciplinary environment in the lab where biologists, chemists and biophysicists collaborate together. In particular, we will benefit from a collaboration with the team of Philippe Chavrier (Institut Curie) expert in cancer cell biology. Located in the heart of Paris, our laboratories benefit from an exceptionally rich academic environment, also provided by the proximity of internationally recognized research institutes (ENS, Curie Institute, College de France…).

Constraints and risks

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Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2600-3500

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

The research professions