Postdoctoral fellowship - Research of anti-inflammatory biomolecules

DESCRIPTION

Title: Research of anti-inflammatory biomolecules         
Type of Offer: Postdoctoral Position        
Keywords: Inflammation, macrophages, endophytes, extracts, natural bioactive compounds.

Your Organization:  
The University of Lorraine's mission is to promote higher education and research in various scientific, technical, and artistic fields while responding to regional and national socio-economic needs. It aims to train competent and responsible citizens by offering a wide range of courses adapted to the evolving job market, promoting professional integration. The university places great emphasis on developing scientific research by supporting innovative projects and fostering collaboration with research institutes and businesses.

Workplaces:
The project will be carried out in collaboration between two laboratories of the University of Lorraine: the Agronomy and Environment Laboratory (LAE_UMR 1121) and the Stress, Immunity, Pathogens Laboratory (SIMPA_EA 7300).

The SIMPA laboratory focuses on studying the effects of chronic stress on immunity, microorganisms (bacteria, fungi), and the central nervous system. Its research has applications in human health, particularly in inflammatory-related pathologies.
The LAE laboratory, a joint research unit between the University of Lorraine and INRAE, consists of 50 staff members aiming to understand plant functions, agricultural systems, and territories for better agronomic and environmental management, while also discovering new bioactive compounds for use in agronomy and pharmacy.

Missions and Activities:      
Currently, treating chronic inflammatory diseases represents a real societal challenge.
The project builds on the work from the LAE and SIMPA laboratories, focusing on screening extracts obtained from fungal endophytes. Molecules isolated from these extracts, which showed high anti-inflammatory activity and low cytotoxicity on immune cells, will be tested to identify bioactive molecules. The project also aims to determine the mechanism of action of these anti-inflammatory molecules.

For this project, the THP-1 cell line will be differentiated in vitro into macrophages, at first, they will be incubated with these extracts or pure molecules. Cytotoxicity tests, particularly using the crystal violet method, will be conducted.    
The cells will then be cultured with LPS, a common inducer used to provoke pro-inflammatory responses. The molecules will be applied before or after the LPS to study their ability to counteract LPS’s pro-inflammatory effects. Cytotoxicity tests will be performed again, and ELISA tests will be conducted for each condition to measure pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in the culture supernatants.            
If any molecules exhibit anti-inflammatory activity, Western-blot analyses will be performed to identify which signaling pathways used by LPS are affected by these molecules in the THP-1 cells differentiated into macrophages.            
Additionally, flow cytometry will be used to evaluate cell viability and the expression of surface markers such as the LPS receptor on these THP-1 cells.            
Finally, to determine the transcriptional responses of these cells after various treatments, the expression of different mRNAs coding for pro-inflammatory cytokines will be studied by RT-qPCR.
It is important to have familiarity and autonomy with statistical methods to analyze and interpret the data obtained from these various experimental techniques.

Contract Nature:
Funding: University of Lorraine (Lorraine Université d'Excellence - LUE)
Salary Range: > 35K and < 45K € gross per year
Function: Postdoctoral Researcher (CDD)
Contract Duration: 12 months with a possibility of a 6-month renewal
Start Date: Early December 2024

Profile Sought:

• Biologist, Cellular Biologist

Missions and Activities:
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including chemists and phytochemists
Lead the preparation of manuscripts
Supervise graduate students as needed.

Skills Required:

• Solid experience in the following techniques:
  • Cell culture of the THP-1 line
  • Cytotoxicity tests 
  • ELISA tests
  • Western-blot
  • Flow cytometry
  • RT-qPCR
• Familiarity and autonomy with statistical methods
• Interest in natural substance chemistry, medicinal plants, and microorganisms
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team 
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including chemists and phytochemists.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English 
• Lead the preparation of manuscripts.
• Supervise students as needed.
• Proven track record of peer-reviewed publications

TERMS AND TENURE
This one-year position will be based at the LAE ’LAboratoire Agronomie environnement’ 2 avenue de la forêt de Haye BP 20163, 54505 Vandoeuvre Cedex and SIMPA 'Stress IMmunité Pathogènes' Campus Biologie-Santé, bâtiment AB 2ème étage 9 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54500 Vandoeuvre les Nancy. The duration cannot exceed 18 months.

The target start date for the position is December 2024, with some flexibility on the exact start date.

HOW TO APPLY 
Applicants are requested to submit the following materials:
• A cover letter applying for the position
• Full CV and list of publications

• Contact details of two references
  •Academic transcripts (unofficial versions are fine)

Deadline for application is 10 November. Applicants will be interviewed by an Ad Hoc Commission by 15 November.

Applications are only accepted through email. All document must be sent to Rosella SPINA: rosella.spina@univ-lorraine.fr and Armelle ROPARS: armelle.ropars@univ-lorraine.fr

JOB LOCATION

Nancy, Lorraine, France

REQUIREMENTS

DOCUMENTS

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. including list of publications
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research