Insect-borne pathogens M/F

23 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Direction des ressources humaines

Research Field

Biological sciences
Medical sciences
Pharmacological sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

20 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

23 Feb 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of developing fundamental and translational research in infectiology. At the national level (PEPR MIE and Prezode) and within Europe, significant investments are being made to develop this strategic axis in the preparation for the emergence of new infectious agents with pandemic potential. The emergence or re-emergence of pathogens and the intensification of vector-borne diseases are also central themes in the priority thematic orientations of the CNRS 2019-2023 Performance and Objectives Agreement and the Health-Environment Challenge of the CNRS COP21.
As part of the Campus plan, the Université de Strasbourg and CNRS have established an insectarium affiliated with the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Strasbourg (IBMC). Inaugurated in 2018 and labeled as an IBISA platform in 2020, this insectarium is equipped with several BSL3 containment zones for breeding mosquitoes infected with viruses or pathogenic parasites and for the manipulation of these pathogens. In this context, the junior professorship will be focused on three units of IBMC, UPR9022, UPR9002, and UPR3572, which are already involved in this type of research.

IBMC is recognized nationally and internationally for its work on innate immunity in Drosophila (Jules Hoffman, Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine 2011, CNRS Gold Medal 2011). In recent years, IBMC has sought to expand its research focus to include insect immunity, particularly insects that serve as vectors for pathogenic viruses or parasites. This strategy fully benefits from the IBMC's insectarium. Designated an IBISA platform in 2020, the insectarium is equipped with 8 BSL3 mosquito rearing chambers for studying viruses and parasites that are pathogenic for humans, as well as BSL3 laboratories for manipulating these viruses. IBMC's UPR9022 (M3I, J.L. Imler) and UPR 9002 (RNA, R. Marquet) research teams have developed unique expertise in Europe in mosquito genetic editing and significant expertise in the regulation of gene expression in viruses, allowing for detailed study of the interactions between the host-vector and arboviruses and parasites. UPR 3572 (I2CT, H. Dumortier) has developed organoid models of human skin to study the immune response following infection by these pathogen-carrying mosquitoes.
To enhance its international visibility in this extremely strategic and rapidly growing thematic field, CNRS Biology aims to increase the number of teams working on insect-vectored pathogens by targeting a junior professorship at UPR9022 (M3I, J.L. Imler), UPR 9002 (ARN, R. Marquet), and UPR 3572 (I2CT, H. Dumortier).

Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes are vectors of parasites responsible for malaria, various pathogenic viruses (Chikungunya, Zika, Dengue, yellow fever, etc.) and certain ticks are vectors of pathogenic bacteria (Y. Pestis).
CNRS has significant strengths to develop integrated research on these different epidemic or pandemic-risk pathogens during periods of climate warming.
The UPR9022 (M3I, J.L. Imler) and UPR 9002 (ARN, R. Marquet) research teams at IBMC have developed unique expertise in Europe in mosquito gene editing, as well as extensive expertise in the regulation of gene expression in viruses and bacteria, allowing for a detailed study of the interactions between the host vector and these pathogens. These studies will provide a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of virulence and co-evolution of the host-vector and pathogen, to develop relevant therapeutic approaches targeting the vector. At the same time, UPR 3572 (I2CT, H. Dumortier) will study the pathophysiology of these infections in humans, to open new therapeutic approaches.

The project will be integrated into teaching at the University of Strasbourg, within the teaching teams in charge of immunology, cell biology and evolution.

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results "as accessible as possible and closed as necessary". As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher's profession.

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software... In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project's socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Medical sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Pharmacological sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Medical sciences

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Pharmacological sciences

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific. There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability.

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CPJ/CPJ-2024-017/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Direction des ressources humaines

Country

France

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/CPJ-2024-017/Candidater.aspx

STATUS: EXPIRED