Job ID: 87320

Post-doc position in microglial biology

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 31 October 2022

Employment Start Date: 1 January 2023

Contract Length: 3 years

City: Strasbourg / Illkirch

Country: France

Institution: IGBMC

Department:

Description:

Project Title: Mechanisms and pathophysiological relevance of microglial diversity.

Microglial cells (MGCs) are endogenous brain macrophages of myeloid origin indispensable for normal brain development, functions and healthy aging. Recent studies indicated the existence of a high diversity within parenchymal microglial cells, which depends on sex, age, localization or pathological condition. To date, functional relevance of such heterogeneity remains essentially unclear. Furthermore, the key molecular determinants of this heterogeneity and its pre- or postnatal origin remain little understood and are a matter of hot debates.

Nuclear hormone receptors are a family of transcriptional factors, acting as master regulators of transcriptional programs underlying developmental or adaptive processes. Most of those receptors have their activity modulated by their cognate ligands, opening numerous possibilities for pharmacological and therapeutic modulations of such activity. Our preliminary data indicate that some of those nuclear hormone receptors are powerful determinants of MGC development and maintenance, especially during aging. The objective of the project will be to investigate the contribution of these receptors in control of MGC heterogeneity, both during development and post-natal life in physiological or pathological conditions. Functional relevance of obtained data will be tested in dedicated reporter and genetic mouse models of neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases.

The project will be carried out at the IGBMC (Strasbourg-Illkirch), a pluridisciplinary research institute located in the heart of a dynamic research region at the crossroads of France, Germany and Switzerland. It will benefit from state-of-the-art infrastructures, as well as ongoing international collaborations with experts in systems biology, human iPSC differentiation, and neurosciences.

Relevant references:

DOI 10.1016/j.immuni.2018.11.004

DOI.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2021.09.014

Requirements and benefits

Highly motivated candidates with a PhD degree skilled in studies of neurodevelopment, microglia or vesicular cellular communication are welcome to apply. Sound knowledge of developmental and/or microglia biology or, if scientific background is in cell biology, in mechanisms of vesicular cell communication, is expected. An expertise in single-cell or single-nuclei analyses and cell cultures will be very useful. English will be the work language. We offer a renewable contract on a yearly basis up to 3 years. Possibility of recruiting a future tenured researcher can be also envisaged.

Applications

Contract can start as soon as possible, but not later than the 1st of January 2023 (early application encouraged). Applications should consist of one PDF document including motivation letter, CV with research accomplishments and publications, and contact information for at least two referent scientists.