PhD student in Life and Health Sciences (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

The successful candidate will work on a project aimed at investigating the role of surface proteins in the biology of glioblastoma stem cells. Proteomic approaches have identified several surface proteins that are overexpressed in glioblastoma stem cells compared with non-tumour cells, and whose role in glioblastoma biology remains to be characterised. Their tasks will involve investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms involving these proteins and determining their role in the phenotype of glioblastoma cells, in particular their metabolic properties, their ability to form and maintain tumours, and their response to treatment. The PhD student will also investigate the involvement of these proteins in interactions between tumour cells and the various components of the tumour microenvironment. The research will primarily be conducted using patient-derived glioblastoma models and will combine approaches from cell and molecular biology, functional and metabolic analyses, and co-culture models with tumour microenvironment cells. In vivo experiments using orthotopic mouse models will enable the study of their role in tumour formation and progression, as well as in response to treatment, and will assess their potential as new therapeutic targets.
Activities:
•Cell culture: isolation, expansion and maintenance of glioblastoma stem cells and patient-derived organoids.
•Co-culture of glioblastoma cells with various components of the tumour microenvironment, including neurons and astrocytes derived from iPSCs or isolated from mouse models.
•Conducting functional analyses (proliferation, cytotoxicity, invasion, metabolic activity) and molecular and cellular analyses of biological samples (cell sorting, flow cytometry, Western blot, immunofluorescence, histology, immunohistochemistry).
•Conduct in vivo experiments on orthotopic mouse models of glioblastoma: tumour implantation, clinical monitoring of animals, monitoring of tumour growth, administration of treatments, and collection of tissues and organs.
•Carry out regular literature searches relevant to the research project.
•Propose and design experiments; analyse and interpret the results obtained.
•Ensure the traceability and reproducibility of experimental data and keep the laboratory logbook up to date.
•Present and discuss results at team meetings, seminars and national and international conferences.
•Contribute to the drafting of scientific articles, scientific presentations and the thesis manuscript.
•Contribute to the drafting of project proposals and funding applications relating to the team's research work. Skills Knowledge

Skills

Knowledge
The candidate must have a background in cellular and molecular biology, as well as an interest in neuro-oncology.

Expertise
Experience in cell culture and/or molecular biology is required. Experience with in vivo models is also desirable. As the use of animal models is planned as part of the project, the candidate must have completed training in animal experimentation, including regulations, ethics and animal welfare.
The candidate must demonstrate motivation, rigour, organisational skills, the ability to work independently and good team spirit.

Your Work Environment

The successful candidate will carry out their duties as part of the GBmetabo team at the Institute of Cellular Biochemistry and Genetics (CNRS UMR 5095) and will report to Audrey Burban.
The Institute of Biochemistry and Cellular Genetics (IBGC) is a UMR 5095 comprising 14 research teams and 4 general services (assets, administration, IT, laundry). The institute also has two technical facilities for microscopy – electron microscopy and photonic microscopy – and is looking to develop a protein purification facility.
The IBGC operates under the supervision of the CNRS (INSB) and the University of Bordeaux. Its activities are dedicated to fundamental research in biology. The unit forms part of the University of Bordeaux's ecosystem of excellence (Department of Biological and Medical Sciences). It is also part of the regional research network Oncosphère, dedicated to cancer research and supported by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

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