Postdoc position - the biology of microglia in neuroinflammatory disease

Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM) is a biomedical research center located on the Necker campus. It benefits from numerous state-of-the-art core facilities. The Campus has a long-standing reputation for scientific excellence and key pioneering medical contributions (transplantation, biotherapy, gene therapy). It provides a vibrant environment for basic research and translational innovation.

About the project

Neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases are increasingly frequent. They often involve peripheral immune cells that infiltrate the CNS and tissue-resident cells, among which microglia play a prominent role. Microglia can act as drivers of pathogenesis, yet also have crucial beneficial activities in these diseases, controlling the resolution of inflammation and CNS regeneration.

The goal of this project is to map the molecular networks controlling the fate of microglia towards these antagonistic activities using a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, and to functionally validate the core genes controlling these molecular networks in vivo. This will be achieved using scRNAseq, spatial transcriptomics, advanced machine learning approaches, and genetic approaches to manipulate the expression of candidate genes in microglia in vivo.

The project capitalizes on a cell-therapy recently developed in the team, which makes use of pure and stable IL-10-producing B cells and cures recipient mice from CNS inflammatory disease within a few days by targeting microglia. These studies will provide a starting point to then address whether the molecular processes identified in microglia are relevant in Human diseases including in multiple sclerosis.

Collectively, these investigations will provide important knowledge to envision the manipulation of microglia to resolve neuroinflammation and promote neuro-regeneration in order to restore health during CNS diseases.

Your profile

Candidates must be highly motivated, self-driven, independent, and creative with strong organizational, writing, and communication skills. Fluency in English and the ability to work in a multicultural environment are essential. The experience of working with murine model is a must.

The position is funded for 2 years. Salary will be according to experience following INSERM regulation.

Please email applications to simon.fillatreau@inserm.fr / simonfillatreau@googlemail.com. Applications will be reviewed upon submission and will remain open until the position is filled.