Description of the thesis topic

Post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, and SUMOylation, are key regulators of protein function, shaping immune signaling and inflammation. Dysregulated PTMs are increasingly linked to pulmonary diseases of infectious and non-infectious origin, yet remain underexplored. Protein function is also shaped by noncovalent oligomerisation and other protein:protein interactions, but these often are poorly understood as well.
This PhD project will investigate how PTMs and noncovalent protein interactions regulate innate immune pathways relevant to lung inflammation and fibrosis. The student will combine structural biology, protein biochemistry, cell biology, and immunology to assess how these processes influence immune signaling proteins and their role in models of pulmonary disease. The research is embedded in a Franco–Brazilian collaboration at the interface of immunology and structural biology, providing exposure to complementary expertise and cutting-edge methodologies.
The methods explored in the project include: biochemical and cellular assays in macrophages and other immune cell types; preclinical models of respiratory inflammation and fibrosis; transcriptomic and imaging approaches (RNA-seq), high-content imaging (ImageStream), and metabolic profiling (Seahorse); recombinant protein engineering; structural biology techniques: X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM

Candidate's profile:
- Master's degree (or equivalent) in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Immunology, or related fields.
- Strong interest in molecular immunology and lung disease.
- Experience in one or more of: protein expression/purification, structural biology, cell culture, immunological assays, animal models, or transcriptomics.
- Motivation to work in a highly international and multidisciplinary environment.
- Good English communication skills (French and/or Portuguese a plus, not mandatory).

To apply, please send a single PDF including:
1. Motivation letter (1 page).
2. CV with research experience and skills.
3. Academic transcripts (Bachelor's + Master's).
4. Contact details of two referees.

Work Context

This three-year international PhD, funded by a CNRS MITI (Mission pour les Initiatives Transverses et Interdisciplinaires) doctoral contract, is conducted in co-tutelle (double degree) between the University of Orléans (France) and USP (Brazil). The project involves the immunology teams of Dr Nicolas Riteau and Prof Larissa Dias da Cunha in Brasil and the biochemistry/structural biology team led by Dr Bertrand Castaing and Dr Marcin J. Suskiewicz in France. The mobility is planned with the first and last year in Brazil, and the second year in France.

Link ADUM : https://adum.fr/as/ed/voirproposition.pl?site=adumR&matricule_prop=67533

Constraints and risks

Standard risks associated with working in a biological and biochemical laboratory. The project involves international mobility.