28 Feb 2024
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
INSERM- Department
Departement des Ressources Humaines- Research Field
Medical sciences
Biological sciences- Researcher Profile
Established Researcher (R3)
Leading Researcher (R4)- Country
France- Application Deadline
2 Apr 2024 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris)- Type of Contract
Permanent- Job Status
Full-time- Hours Per Week
35- Offer Starting Date
1 Oct 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 Inserm chair recruitments opened to Inserm are intended for researchers with strong potential to manage and lead research teams and participate in national, European or international projects.
This recruitment, based on research and teaching projects, is aimed at researchers with a doctorate or equivalent and a first post-doctoral experience. The position is offered on a fixed-term contract (CDD) with a view to tenure in the Inserm Research Directors personnel at the end of the contract.
Strategy of the host institution :
In synergy with the national priority research program (PEPR) “Biotherapies and bioproduction of innovative therapies” (BBTI), Inserm proposes to open a Inserm Chair position to develop innovative bioengineering approaches for key technologies associated with one of the following three therapeutic approaches: viral vectors for gene therapy, bioengineering for biomaterials or regenerative medicine approaches, and the biology/bioengineering interface for alpha-therapy using vectorized internal radiotherapy. Those bioengineering approaches are also supported by the Nantes Université notably in the framework of its recently launched I-SITE project NExT, winner of the Investments for the Future (PIA) program’s IDEX/I-SITE call for applications. Nantes Université proposes a new university model in France by bringing together a university (Université de Nantes), a university hospital (CHU de Nantes), an Institute for Technological Research (IRT Jules Verne), the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and several grandes écoles (Centrale Nantes, École des Beaux-Arts Nantes Saint-Nazaire, École d’Architecture de Nantes) as full members. All of these stakeholders have combined their efforts to develop Nantes areas of excellence in research, and to design and build the health and industry of the future.
Proposed Host laboratories are:
- UMR 1089 : TARGET, Translational Research in Gene Therapy
- UMR 1229 : RMeS, Regenerative Medicine and skeleton
- UMR 1307 – CNRS UMR6075 : CRCI²NA - Nantes - Angers Cancer and Immunology Research Center
Strategy of the host laboratory :
TARGET (70 employees, https://umr1089.univ-nantes.fr/ ) covers the entire translational gene therapy development path from low TRL innovative projects, proofs-of-concept (POC), vector manufacturing to the accomplishment of Phase I/II trials, by putting together a large number of scientific and technological interdisciplinary skilled expertises. To advance gene therapy developments using viral vectors, in particular Adeno-Associated Virus-derived vectors (AAV), TaRGeT has a particular interest in chemical and molecular vector engineering, preclinical developements for neuromuscular and retinal diseases, vector immunogenicity and immunomodulation, disease modelling using new organoid models and large scale bioproduction. In this context, the translational vector core (CPV for “Centre de Production des Vecteurs”) with its activities in process and analytical developments for AAV vectors is one among the 8 national “Intégrateurs en Biothérapies et Bioproduction” Industriels” of the national biotherapy strategy. Since 2004, the whole laboratory activities are performed under ISO 9001:2015 quality system.
RMeS (130 employees, 2 teams REJOINT and REGOS ) supports basic, translational and clinical research related to 4R medicine (ie. Replace, Repair, Regenerate and Reprogram) dedicated to skeleton diseases and aging (osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, discarthrosis, periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and tendinopathies). We are notably interested in the use of stem cells, calcium phosphate biomaterials and hydrogels for the development of regenerative therapeutics. Recently we also develop bioinks, organoids, and organ on chip technologies by bioprinting to model skeletal diseases and discover new therapeutics. By formalizing an interdisciplinary approach, RMeS offers a strong support and stimulating environment for exploring the limit of knowledge in skeleton-related 4R medicine.
CRCI2 NA is composed of 12 research teams dedicated to the analysis of tumors as ecosystems composed of distinct cell types, linked by cooperative or competitive relationships. The overall project of the CRCI²NA is to explore the interactions and dynamic changes of tumor ecosystems during tumor progression as well as the mechanisms of dissemination in response to treatments. Inside the CRCI2 NA, the Nuclear Oncology research team is a pluri-disciplinary gathering more than 60 researchers in nuclear medicine, chemistry, radiopharmacy, pharmacology, biology and physics. The aim of the team is to develop imaging and therapy of refractory tumors using nuclear medicine approaches.
Summary of the scientific project :
Context
In synergy with the national priority research program (PEPR) “Biotherapies and bioproduction of innovative therapies” (BBTI), It is proposed to open an Inserm Chair to develop innovative bioengineering approaches for key technologies associated with one of the following three therapeutic approaches: viral vectors for gene therapy (TARGET), bioengineering for biomaterials or regenerative medicine approaches (RMeS), and the biology/bioengineering interface for alpha-therapy using vectorized internal radiotherapy (CRCI2NA).
TARGET : Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are mostly genetic diseases affecting the muscles and central nervous system (CNS) system. The societal burden of these diseases is huge and many NMDs remain without therapeutic options. Gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV) has shown great promises in patients but still have several limitations to unlock. For conventional gene replacement strategies, there is a need of more potent AAV vectors and/or route of deliveries to efficiently target the CNS and/or skeletal muscle tissues and so on reduce the injected doses. In addition, there is a need for new generation gene transfer strategies able to correct, edit or silence genes as most NMDs transgenes have complex genetics with genes exceeding the packaging capacity of AAV, DNA repeat expansions or dominant mutants (for instance, Duchenne myopathy, myotonic dystrophy, Steinert, Huntington, hereditary ALS, Friedreich, Rett syndrom…). In this context, the goal of this proposed position is to develop advanced molecular AAV-based gene therapy strategies for such complex genetic pathologies using different advanced gene therapy technologies such as exon skipping, pre-mRNA and RNA splicing, gene editing, prime and base editing or gene-regulated silencing. In vitro models based on muscular and neuronal organoïds for NMDs of interest will be developed and characterized and then used to evaluate the new gene therapy strategies. For a translational perspective, in vivo proofs of concept (POC) and dose finding studies will be performed when animal models of the disease of interest are available to move forward the therapeutic strategy from bench to bedside.
RMeS Musculoskeletal conditions affect the joints, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments and are the leading causes of disability worldwide. Engineering in vitro models of development and diseases are an essential step toward tissue and organ regeneration. Among these models, organoids have notably gained significant attention for modeling complex healthy or diseased organs, notably because of their ability to foster and accelerate the large screening of therapeutic molecules without the need for ethically controversial animal experiments. In this context, the goal of this proposed position is to develop in vitro bioengineered musculoskeletal tissues using a panel of complementary expertise encompassing stem cell biology, biofabrication technologies and biomaterial sciences. From a translational point of view, the ultimate goals of this proposed position are to contribute to the identification of novel pathogenic actors and screening of a large number of therapeutic strategies ranging from cell and cell-derived biologics-based therapies to nucleic acids, chemicals or proteins-based therapeutics. On a more basic level, we also aim to better understand the interactions between cells and their microenvironment in particular the surrounding extracellular matrix and associated mechanical and physicochemical properties (stiffness, topography..), before translating this knowledge into practical regenerative medicine strategies.
CRCI2NA Targeted Radionuclide therapy (TRT) has come “to a clinical age” in the last years with the approval of two radiopharmaceuticals (RP) against neuroendocrine metastatic castration-resistant prostate tumors. In this context, the use of alpha-emitters is seen as very promising and targeted alpha therapy (TAT) is already present in clinics with one approved RP and more than 60 ongoing clinical trials worldwide, including three of them in which the Nantes CHU/Cancer center nuclear medicine (NM) department is currently enrolling patients. The clinical impact of these new NM treatments has recently fostered the development of hundreds of new vectors for newly identified targets (e.g. PSMA and FAP). In clinics, TRT is now, for some indications, an important treatment option among immunotherapy, chemotherapy even though its position in the treatment line should be refined to increase patient’s survival. The aim of this proposed position is to develop a holistic, multi-scale methodology for treatment and patient selections (i.e. to identify the best RP or cocktail of RP for each patient), for treatment personalization (i.e. to define the optimal amount of vector and activity to inject) and for treatment regimen optimization (i.e. to define the best injection schedule for each patient). To reach these purposes, multi-modal imaging, mathematical models of the radiopharmaceutical distribution and of the biological response to alpha-particles, biological biomarkers of toxicity and of potential immune response will be used in combination with the purpose of improving patient’s care. To support early human trials, preclinical studies will be needed to better understand efficacy and toxicity mechanisms of TAT, by analyzing at the cellular scale the distribution and the effect of alpha-particles.
Summary of the teaching project:
The teaching objectives of the recruited researcher will be directly related to the graduate programs of the Health Science and Technology Graduate School. She/he will join the teaching team of the graduate programs M4R for which TaRGeT and RMeS labs are associated (4R (Repair, Replace, Regenerate, Reprogram) Medicine) and/or OHNU (Oncology, Hematology, and Nuclear Medicine) of which CRCI2NA is the exclusive host laboratory. The recruited researcher will therefore not only take part in the teaching activities, but he/she will also be involved in its management and coordination, particularly within the themes of the M4R or OHNU graduate programs, in line with his/her scientific expertise. In addition, she/he will be called upon to support students in the advancement of their career plans, guiding them in their immersion in the internship laboratories and advising them in the construction of their career path. The recruited researcher will also be heavily involved in the organization of the Nuclear Medicine Summer Schools. For the GP OHNU, she/he will also be responsible for teaching and organizing 2 masters courses related to nuclear medicine:
M2 SIBM (https://sciences-techniques.univ-nantes.fr/formations/masters/m2-sibm-master-biologie-sante ) and M2 RIA (https://sciences-techniques.univ-nantes.fr/formations/masters/master-physique-fondamentale-et-applications ).
National Research Agency package : 200K€
Other package:
CRCI2NA : RHU Operandi (2024) 60K€; Labex IRON (2024) 100K€, LabCom AidaLab 360K€
TARGET : Infrastructures Légériennes : 100K€, ANR-TRITDMD(2024)50K€
Requirements
- Research Field
- Medical sciences
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
Additional Information
Selection process
It is expected the recruited researcher to become rapidly a group leader in the GAD team. So the candidate should demonstrate ability to supervise Ph.D students, post-doctoral fellow and technical support staff. She/he should have the capacity to obtain competitive funding to manage her/his group.
Successful candidates are chosen by a selection commission composed of six to ten members, the majority of whom are specialists in the fields of research concerned.
The commission carries out an initial examination of the applications, focused in particular on candidate experience and skills relative to the research and teaching project presented above. A shortlist of candidates is then selected for interview.
Only candidates selected by the selection committee on the basis of their applications will be invited to interview.
The interviews are followed by a deliberation during which selection commission will discuss the quality, originality and, where appropriate, the interdisciplinarity of the research and teaching projects presented by the candidates, their motivation and their scientific and teaching supervision capacity.
The candidates selected at the end of the selection process will be offered a researcher contract, following approval from the President and CEO of Inserm.
Additional comments
Applications can be submitted online at EVA .
Deadline application: April 2, 2024
It is imperative to contact the laboratory corresponding to the Chair you have applied for in order to build the project with them.
Position also open to 'Bénéficiaires de l'Obligation d'Emploi' (disabled persons), as defined in article 27 of law no. 84-16 of January 11, 1984 on statutory provisions for the civil service.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Nantes and 3 distinct host laboratories : U1089 or U1229 or U1307
- Country
- France
- City
- Nantes
- Geofield
Where to apply
- Website
https://eva3-accueil.inserm.fr/sites/eva/chaires/2024/Pages/default.aspx
Contact
- City
Paris- Website
http://www.inserm.fr- Street
101 rue de Tolbiac - 75654 Paris Cedex 13
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
STATUS: EXPIRED