Missions

A major challenge in biology is to make sense of the properties of the cells that constitute the organism: how are we producing the right cells at the right place, time, and quantity? Or conversely, what leads to the production of the wrong cells, at the wrong time, or place, or quantity? In many different fields of cell biology, there are debates about whether and how much the explanation of the production of the right cells is to be imputed to lineages. However, a careful look at the concept of cell lineage shows polysemy and ambiguities about what counts as a lineage and which lineages are at play. Those ambiguities not only obscure the debate but can also have conceptual, empirical, or ethical consequences. Given the ubiquitous role of lineages in biology (central to development, regeneration, stem cell biology, cancer biology, and more), a clearer framework accounting for what they are and what they do is highly needed.
The aim of our project is to clarify the concept of lineage within organisms in a way that can translate into new scientific tools, analysis, and knowledge. To achieve this aim, this project proposes an interdisciplinary approach bringing together philosophers, biologists, and mathematicians. The project is organized in 3 complementary work packages, that will follow the objectives of:
1- Providing a critical analysis of the concept through the philosophical analysis of its definitions, usages, and assumptions; (lead by philosophers)
2- Co-constructing solutions to improve the concept through collective discussions, both through internal (the 3 partners) and external collaborations (workshop, teaching projects, external collaborations)
3- Empirically challenging the concepts, their practical relevance, and our solutions through reanalysis of lineage tracing data, comparison of lineage tracing technics and algorithms, mathematical modeling and simulation, and statistical inference (lead by mathematicians and biologists)

Activités

- The recruited postdoc will be asked to work in the labs on a daily basis.
- The recruited postdoc will be expected to participate to lab meetings, seminars, reading groups, and other aspects of the research life.
- A major aim of LINEAGES is the publication of co-authored papers in scientific journals. The recruited postdoc will be expected to contribute to these publications.
- The recruited postdoc will be offered the possibility to contribute to the modeling and bioinformatic aspect of the project, if desired.

Compétences

- Candidates must have a PhD in philosophy (philosophy of biology, philosophy of medicine, philosophy of science).
- Candidates must demonstrate an interest in biology and/or medicine.
- Knowledge of cell biology is essential.
- Candidates must be fluent in English.

Contexte de travail

The project will take place in four institutions offering a rich intellectual and scientific environment:
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Center: one of the largest cancer centers in Europe. It brings together fundamental and translational research units as well as research teams in the humanities and social sciences. Lucie Laplane's group is part of the U1287 hematology unit, “Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Myeloid Hematopoietic Disorders,” and has an office there for her group. Gustave Roussy is located in Villejuif, south of Paris.
- The Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. This is one of the leading research units in Philosophy of Science in France. It brings together several researchers in Philosophy of Biology. The IHPST is located in the heart of Paris, in the 6th arrondissement.
- Centrale Supélec is one of the leading engineering schools in the Paris region. The project is being carried out in collaboration with mathematician Gurvan Hermange, a specialist in modeling healthy and pathological hematopoietic systems. Centrale Supélec is located in the south of the Paris region.
- Biogipuzkoa is a biomedical research center located in San Sebastian, Spain. The project involves collaboration with Leïla Perié's team, which specializes in tracing and analyzing cell lineages in hematology.
The recruited post-doc will report to Lucie Laplane

Informations complémentaires

Applications must include:
- A cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position;
- A CV containing a list of publications;
- A description of a research project related to the LINEAGE project will be requested in the event of an interview (approximately 3,000 words).
- A short sample of written work (< 10,000 words)
- Two confidential letters of support should be sent directly to lucie.laplane@univ-paris1.fr.
We strongly support diversity and equal access to recruitment. Applications from all backgrounds are encouraged.