Description of the thesis topic

The PhD project will be part of SIRIC projects (Sites de Recherche Intégré sur le Cancer), and should focus on epigenetics and cancer. The PhD candidate can either decide to develop a broad approach to the topic (for example by applying the recent developments of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis to cancer) or choose to focus on one of the following 3 questions: (1) the role of epigenetics in clonal evolution and cancer progression; (2) cell plasticity and its role in treatment resistance; (3) Epigenetic modulation of the microenvironment and/or niche construction.

Work Context

The PhD project is funded by two of the 8 SIRIC projects currently running in France (https://www.e-cancer.fr/Professionnels-de-la-recherche/Recherche-translationnelle/Les-SIRIC). All SIRICS are ambitious integrative projects in French cancer research. The present project will mostly relate to the SIRIC EpiCure (“Epigenetics to Cure cancer”) and secondarily take place in the context of inter-SIRIC with the SIRIC InSitu (“Insights Into Cancer: From Inflammation to Tumor - Prevent, Intercept, Cure”).
EpiCure is localized in Gustave Roussy, one of the top cancer research centers in Europe. It gathers 14 teams among which 4 relates to human science. The project is centered on the role of epigenetics in cancer and structured around 3 research axes: (1) the role of epigenetics and chromatin structure in cancer development and progression, (2) the role of epigenetics in resistance to treatment, (3) epigenetic modulation of the immune microenvironment as a therapeutic strategy. Human sciences are then organized as a transversal research program that include philosophy, economy, oncostatistics and sociology.
InSitu regroups several research groups in Paris at Hospitals Saint-Louis and Beaujon/Bichat. There are several human science projects including one in philosophy led by Matteo Mossio in collaboration with Lucie Laplane. One PhD student in philosophy has been recruited already by the SIRIC InSitu (Claudia Gadaletta). The 2 PhD students will be able to collaborate across these projects and institutions.

The PhD student will work half time in Gustave Roussy, in the research group led by Lucie Laplane, and half time at IHPST under the supervision of Francesca Merlin. The student will be asked to collaborate with the scientific teams of the EpiCure project. This will involve extensive periods of time spent in the lab to develop a philosophical project that is scientifically relevant and well grounded. A strong motivation to learn scientific contents and contribute to science is essential to the success of the project.

We ask the candidate to write a short application document in which they lay down a research project related to the aim described above (3 pages) and indicate their motivation to apply to this project (2 pages, please explain why you want to work in close collaboration with scientists and MDs). A CV and 1 or 2 letters of recommendation will be asked.