Post-doctoral fellowship on heme as a danger molecule in cardiac damage

L’Inserm est le seul organisme public français entièrement dédié à la recherche biologique, médicale et en santé des populations. Il dispose de laboratoires de recherche sur l’ensemble du territoire, regroupés en 12 Délégations Régionales. Notre institut réunit 15 000 chercheurs, ingénieurs, techniciens et personnels administratifs, avec un objectif commun : améliorer la santé de tous par le progrès des connaissances sur le vivant et sur les maladies, l’innovation dans les traitements et la recherche en santé publique.

Rejoindre l’Inserm, c’est intégrer un institut engagé pour la parité et l’égalité professionnelle, la diversité et l’accompagnement de ses agents en situation de handicap, dès le recrutement et tout au long de la carrière. Afin de préserver le bien-être au travail, l’Inserm mène une politique active en matière de conditions de travail, reposant notamment sur un juste équilibre entre vie personnelle et vie professionnelle.

L'Inserm a reçu en 2016 le label européen HR Excellence in Research et s'est engagé à faire évoluer ses pratiques de recrutement et d'évaluation des chercheurs.

The group of Prof Roberta Foresti and Dr Roberto Motterlini (team Muscle stem cells and therapies at INSERM U955) is looking for a highly skilled and enthusiastic post-doctoral fellow working in a dynamic, international and interactive environment. The position is currently open and funded until end of Sept 2026 by a project grant by the Fondation Recherche Medicale (FRM).

The laboratory is focussing on the study of different therapeutic strategies in the context of cardiovascular disease. In particular, the ‘Heme and myocardial infarction (MI)’ project aims at investigating the role of heme as a dangerous signal during MI. We will closely assess the participation of heme in the activation of the stress response and the reparative process occurring after MI, including the modulation of the inflammatory response. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the enzyme responsible of heme degradation, and chemical entities targeting the HO-1 pathway will also be evaluated as potential therapeutics. Animal (mouse) and cell culture models will be used in the study.

Highly motivated and dynamic candidates will have a PhD with strong background in cardiovascular disease and inflammation. Experience in performing myocardial infarction is not mandatory because the candidate will be assisted on this task. Experience in animal handling, collection of organs and a variety of approaches spanning from molecular biology and analyses of tissue samples are required. Candidates should have proven experience on a wide range of methodological techniques (including cell culture, western blotting, RT-PCR, ELISA, isolation of cells from tissues, immunohistochemistry and immunolfuorescence).

Main Responsibilities: animal handling and care; conducting in vivo and in vitro experiments; performing biochemical and molecular biology assays; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; preparation of reports and articles for publication.

Required Knowledge: myocardial infarction; inflammation; tissue regeneration and repair; pharmacology.

Skills: cell culture, organ collection and tissue processing; western blotting, RT-PCR, ELISA, isolation of cells from tissues, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

Complete the project of the role of heme in myocardial infarction and generate data for publications.